With the refresh of Chrysler’s B-body cars in 1965 as intermediates rather than full-size substitutes, the Satellite debuted. It was an upscale version of the Belvedere and would compete in the mid-size field through 1974. The seller has fully restored a ’66 Satellite with a 426 cubic inch Hemi V8, one of just 314 built that year with an automatic transmission. Some of the work was done by Richard Petty Studios, and the car will be available here on Mecum at their Kissimmee, Florida, at auction on January 10, 2026. Bring all your spare cash as this one is expected to fetch big bucks! Kudos to Mitchell G. for this awesome tip!
The street Hemi, with its twin 4-barrel carburetors and 425 horsepower, wasn’t much different than what NASCAR drivers like Richard Petty were using on the circuit. The 1966 model year was the first time it was offered to John Q. Public, and 817 of them found their way into the new Satellites (of course, Dodge was installing them in Chargers and Coronets, too). With hemispherical cylinder heads and a tolerable compression ratio of 10.25:1, the cars were a handful but still quite drivable on the street.
We’re told this beautiful red Satellite has been treated to a comprehensive rotisserie restoration with the paint and body portions handled by Richard Petty Studios in Randleman, North Carolina. The car’s VIN decodes correctly as a Hemi, though we’re not told if the Plymouth is numbers-matching. The black bucket seat interior looks wonderful, and the odometer reading of 84 miles may indicate its light use since the restoration was completed (if everything was reset to zero).
Mecum estimates this rare vehicle will command bids upward of $150,000. And a large portion of that will go to recover the cost of all the work that was incurred on the Mopar’s behalf. It’s a shame we only see “after” photos as it would be cool to see what they had to work with when all the shirt sleeves were rolled up and ready for action.
Seems there was much talk even in ‘65 about the HP rating being ultra conservative, that it was closer to 460-505HP from these Heml’s. As it was a Richard Petty Studios makeover, one would expect the transmission would’ve been reworked too.
Subtle yet brutal.
Cool.
I remember reading years ago in one of the Car mags that a properly tuned street hemi would make 425 hp with one plug wire removed. It seems that they were hard to keep in tune
especially when you remove a plug wire.
Nice “barn find”
I’d like to see the barn
My late grandfather drove a ’64 Satellite with a street Hemi, and also ran one on a dyno. He did not remember exact numbers but said at 500hp it wasn’t done pulling yet.
Had one just like this one in blue with a white interior. Too much car for a teenager…and my insurance company agreed. Small town of 100k there was nothing quicker on the boulevard. My tune was new plugs and retardant timing until it didn’t clatter. Blue line tires didn’t have a chance.
Lovely looking car. I’ve always found this way more attractive than later Plymouth Satellites.
Same color as my 1967 GTX
https://i.postimg.cc/FR9xDQNz/P1000929.jpg
Beautiful Satellite. Even if it fetches $150k that’s probably about half of what they got into it.
Dad traded in our ’55 V8 Belvedere for a ’60 Plymouth slant 6 wagon Then traded that in for a special order 2D ’65 Satellite with a 383. It came with a 273. To say Dad was angry in the showroom would be an understatement. We took home a ’65 4D Plymouth Fury III w/a 318 ugh. Not half the car the Satellite was by far. As a very early teenager, that Satellite was the bomb. It still is.
One of the best looking plymouths ever.
Me and my boss had to change a wall button on someone’s garage door opener. After we got done doing that he showed us his 3 cars. He has a 70 challenger 440 4 speed manual transmission with a pistol grip shifter lime green. Another 70 challenger 440 automatic plum purple that he bought for his wife. He also has a red 66 Plymouth Satellite just like this car but his car has the 383 v8 instead of the 426 with an automatic transmission.
I hope that they get their money, as I feel that the people interested are dying off. And yeah, I’m 75 and remember these……
I remember these too, but I liked the ’65 style much better.
Beautiful car unfortunately it’s probably headed for a static display somewhere, oh well
It didn’t sell, was pulled at $75k.