Here’s a not-your-typical station wagon find in the form of a 1974 Plymouth Satellite that was used in soil management service, whatever exactly that means – more to follow. Satellites from this era are rarely found so a station wagon version is really unexpected. This well-worn wagon is located in Vancouver, Washington, and is available, here on craigslist for $1,600. Thanks to Andria A for this tip!
There were two choices for Satellite station wagons in ’74, a standard “Satellite Custom” and an upscale, faux wood slathered, Satellite Regent. Our subject car is listed as a “fleet wagon”, in that it is a rear seat delete variant with a flat cargo area. This Satellite also has a wire mesh screen that locates behind the front seat, ostensibly, to keep something contained in the rear section and out of the passenger compartment. What that something could have been, as it relates to “soil management” is hard to say…
Powering this soil management special is an unpictured 150 net HP, 318 CI V8 engine. The mileage is listed as 22K miles which probably means 122K miles so the little LA engine may be a bit tired. That said, they are very durable motors and this wagon does run, sort of, as the seller states, “I turned over the engine and drove it around the block and around the property some“. The seller also mentions that the brakes are “hard” so there’s a subject that will need attention. A Torqueflite three-speed automatic transmission and 3.23 gears get the engine’s motivation to the recently powder coated wheels.
The seller advises that “This is a project car with plenty of rust“. Actually, it doesn’t look as rusty as one might think and the interior cargo bed looks rustier than the outside. There is surface rust bleed-through in places and the lower quarters clearly have problems. But the body’s not terrible, the long fuselage sides look to be reasonably straight. It’s hard to say what the box attached to the tailgate is for, some sort of lock mechanism perhaps to keep whatever was supposed to stay out of the passenger compartment from leaving the car entirely? The seller mentions that the outline of the Washington State Soil Management decal is still visible on the driver’s door.
The interior has that Mopar taxicab vibe that low-level models had back in the ’60s and ’70s. Assuming that this wagon is a Satellite Custom at heart, one would expect a rather spartan environment. The vinyl/fabric seat cover and the dash pad are split and the green door panels look partially dilapidated. The floor covering is a rubber mat and the instrument panel appears to be of the radio-delete variety. It actually has a bit of the original ’68 Road Runner feel about it. It would probably be a good idea to check what, if anything, is going on under that mat.
Sure, this Satellite is a bit rough but it’s certainly affordable and has huge upside – not restored, but in a multitude of modified forms. You don’t see this vintage Satellite wagon every day! So, what do you think, which way would you take this ’74 Plymouth wagon?
No wonder cars like this are rarely found. Most wound up in fleets, with carpenters, as family beaters, and as usual, driven into the ground.
Good looking wagon! Throw in a gen3 hemi, overdrive trans, fix rust and enjoy!
Sure, pick it up next week…
Unique, leave it alone and restore to original specs.
Paint it black and white and throw some lights and LAPD (ADAM-12) or CHP (CHiPs) decals on it and cruise it to the next cars and coffee or car show and see the crowds flock away from all the high priced cars to gawk and reminisce at this “TV flashback”.
” Doesn’t look as rusty as one might think. ”
Really? I see rust through in the rear quarters, one of the pictures appears to show rust through of a front fender, the metal around the rear side windows looks like it will need serious work, and finally, all the horizontal surfaces are badly surface rusted. I would imagine there is a reason why the ad excludes underhood photos.
Soil management? Fertilizer and top soil hauler?
This is a very rare car, and could be a decent candidate for restomodding, if you have a TON of money to spend.
I don’t know. Those 70’s safety bumpers look like kneecap killers. Have a sign at C&C to walk far around the front and rear of this car!
The seller says “Really cool optioned Plymouth Fleet Wagon.” More like lack of options. I didn’t know they could get that basic. At that point, I would have expected a slant 6. Posi was a surprise though.
It reminds me of the 1964 Buick Special wagon that my father bought new. He bought it with a V6, 3 on the tree, no radio, and no carpets, rubber mats. The dealer didn’t even know it was possible to order it for $2K…
The custom divider is a standard piece from a company that makes dog crates. The interior shows 122K as you posit, rather than the 22K that they claim.
Most dealers knew full well that they could order a bare bones, no frills “fleet model.” They just didn’t want customers to know about it ’cause the greater the number of options, the more $$$ would go into the commission check.
For the asking price, I’d take a chance. It’s in better shape than some of the garbage out there listed for 10 times the price. This would make a great swapmeet beater.
Steve R
One of the reasons not many Satellites can be found is that many have been turned into Roadrunners or GTXs.
I’m trying to work out what the “box attached to the tailgate” comment is referring to — could he mean the remaining portion of the the winder-handle for the tailgate glass?
My guess is this car has only a manual crank tailgate window. For those who aren’t familiar with station wagons, that box on the tailgate is the window crank. While the tailgate may swing sideways as a door with the window up, the window must be retracted into the tailgate to drop it down.
Correct, I realized that after I published the article.
Thx,
JO
For the price, the key words are back seat delete. I would chop the back, weld the the back doors and make it all one. I would call it the Plymouth Sattel lite truck. Rampage version. Fresh up the engine bay and make it all roadworthy. This would definitely be a hit at the car meets I can see it now. British racing green with gold stripe
There was a lady I knew who had one like this,only a year
or two older,in light green,with more options.She always kept it
up nicely.
two words……demo derby
I live in Vancouver WA and to say this area is moist is an absolute lie. The area drips constantly and by the looks of the interior this car it is akin to flood car.
We have this car at our shop and have started the process of putting a Hellcat in. Not going to paint the car but we are fixing the rust.. We will post our progress on our website. https://lugnutsgarage.net