Those looking to channel their inner Carol Brady could do worse than this green 1973 Plymouth Satellite Wagon, located in Lompoc, California (north of Santa Barbara) and for sale here on Craigslist with an asking price of $4,800.
Now, I know some readers here take their favorite TV cars very seriously, so just to specific, the station wagons on The Brady Bunch were usually tan in color to contrast with the more colorful convertibles driven by the men. Take that for what you will. And Paramount worked with both Chrysler and GM, so the family was often seen in Chevy Caprices and Impalas in the later episodes, although Mopars continued to appear in the Brady garage. But with the classic 70’s fuselage styling and the Amber Sherwood Green exterior, this 9-passenger B-body family hauler would feel comfortably at home in any driveway of mid-70’s suburbia.
This wagon appears to be a survivor both inside and out. Some scrapes and “old man dents” pepper a few body panels, and the upholstery and carpet likely need replacing, or a good cleaning at the minimum. It was a highly-optioned car for its day, loaded with A/C, towing package, roof rack, front discs, and upgraded vinyl interior. Paint is thin and faded in spots, but only surface rust is seen here and there.
The engine bay also appears typical for a 45-year old survivor. It appears some of the crude early emissions equipment has been removed, but everything else appears original, including the master cylinder. The 318 LA motor is backed by a 3-speed Torqueflite, and also spins the power steering pump and the iconic Mopar RV2 “thumper” compressor. Ma Mopar ensured those dual belts won’t slip even at 7,000 rpm, sometimes ending the flow of frosty air into the cabin with a sparky death to the compressor internals. Don’t ask me how I know this.
Once shunned as parts cars, longroofs have found a new life in the collector market. Still practical a hauler or for light towing, this example also still retains enough muscle-era DNA to be reborn as a restomod or similar project. And while some wagon-specific parts can now be tricky to find, most mechanical parts are still readily available. Anyone up for putting on a polyester shirt with a collar as big as Cessna wings, finding some Zeppelin on the AM radio, and cruising back in time with this wagon?
This car needs a massive drivetrain upgrade but otherwise left just as it is, including the hubcaps. The ultimate sleeper.
Does not the new Hemi block have small block mounts cast on it?
Add newer electronics, say from a wrecked pick up, and you have decent power and mileage.
Cool car, add $1,500 if it were in either San Francisco or LA. Too bad it isn’t a 1971 or 72 model.
Steve R
That’s impressive. An iconic compressor, yet I, a car guy, have never heard of it. Iconic is now the written form of “um” or “uh.”
Cool car though. If it had a 440 I’d be sweaty.
Had that compressor in my ’76 dodge aspen
It looks like a v twin Harley engine
Chrysler used similar ones for decades. Noisier and rougher than the Delco compressors, but nearly indestructible.
Just to be Cali centric, looks like it has early eighty/eighty one plates………wonder why.
Nice looking though
My family had one like this when I started driving. It was yellow with the wood grain sides and no air conditioning. It had a front bench seat w/ backs like buckets. Looked sporty until you looked in and saw the bench bottom.
I had a lot of fun in that old wagon. That 318 pushed that it along surprisingly well.
Leave it alone. Just leave it be. Give it a professional buffing and waxing, new carpet, change all the fluids, belts and hoses. It’s a moment in time that should be respected. Sleeper shmeeper. Take your blow torches and bring them elsewhere. Glad to see examples are still with as as seen on the showroom floors
My neighbor had a new Dodge version in the same color, only the grille was different. I like green cars, but not that green, or that car.
The neighbor also had a new Lincoln Continental, and a trophy wife. He lived on a river and bought a large lawn tractor to clear and “beautify” the river bank. He then was informed by a judge, that disturbing protected plants was illegal. An expensive lesson.
Now here’s a family hauler for you! Who needs a $60K SUV when
you could be driving this fine old wagon here. I’m with you Ken.
Clean, sort, drive, and enjoy. If I had the cash, and i big enough
car port, I’d take this AND the ’68 wagon they posted Saturday.
Would cruise them both at Old Town on weekends and let Mom
and Sis drive ’em through the week. That way, we could get started
restoring Mom’s 2001 Buick Le Sabre while its needs are small.
Great find!
Great Point Kenneth. I have nothing to add. Well said.
This car is a bargain. I’d drive as-is, but it’s still a deal even if a swap was desired.
Is Marcia or Jan included in the deal? ;)
Cool. I had the 73 tan sedan 318. Never since had a car run that perfectly. Computer fuel injection cant match it. There was no cranking the motor to start it. It simply snapped to life as fast as you could turn the key. Even in New Jersey winter. Probably one of the best engineered cars.
I had forgotten what an early 70s Mopar sounded like until I saw the first picture, and the sound came right back to me.