Custom Paint: 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus

Some enthusiasts avoid unfinished projects, fearing what might lie beneath the sparkling paint. They question the build quality and whether the future holds nasty surprises that could cost a fortune to fix. I understand those sentiments, but my instincts tell me that won’t be the case with this 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus. I base that on the fact that I would find it shocking for an owner to apply custom paint and stripes that look this good to substandard sheetmetal. If you feel the same, you might want to pursue this classic further. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Barney for spotting the Satellite listed here on Craigslist in Roy, Washington. The seller is asking $18,000 for a classic with plenty of positive attributes.

Plymouth’s Third Generation Satellite, released in 1971, adopted Chrysler’s “fuselage” design philosophy. It gave the cars a greater sense of presence, but regular readers will probably realize that I am not a fan of the look. Something about the philosophy doesn’t appeal to me, but I’ve never been able to define it clearly. That is a personal preference, and I respect your opinion if you find these cars extremely attractive. This Satellite rolled off the line in 1972, ordered by its first owner as the luxurious Sebring Plus variant. It is an unfinished project build, but it will be a stunning vehicle once completed. The seller ensured the panels were as straight as an arrow before applying custom Blue Metallic paint and Silver stripes mimicking the correct Sebring Plus stripes. The paint holds a mirror shine, with no chips or marks. The seller doesn’t mention any existing or previous rust problems, and nothing in the listing images raises concern. Most of the spotless trim is present, including new front and rear bumpers, and the new Cragar wheels perfectly suit the car’s character. The seller will need to install the back windows and source a replacement for the missing front windshield.

I can state categorically that this Satellite isn’t numbers-matching. Its engine bay houses a 340ci V8, a motor that was only available in the 1972 Road Runner. The car also features a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission and a 3.70 limited-slip rear end. The seller describes the 340 as fresh, suggesting a recent rebuild. It features TTI headers, electronic ignition, and an aluminum radiator. They also replaced the leaf springs, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, rotors, and calipers. They say that the Plymouth runs and drives well, leaving the buyer with no mechanical tasks to complete.

As with the exterior, this Plymouth’s interior is a work in progress. Ordered by the first owner with bucket seats and a console, the seller has already installed new Black front seatcovers and a matching headliner. The deal includes new rear seatcovers, a carpet set, and sail panels for the buyer to fit. The dashpad is definitely present, but a question mark remains over items like the door and rear passenger compartment trims. The seller sourced a couple of donor cars during their build, and will include several bins of extra parts in the deal.

Unfinished projects will always raise questions, including whether the seller’s price is realistic. Sometimes the answer is an obvious, resounding no. However, if you could find a rust-free 1972 Satellite project candidate and bring it to this classic’s standard for $18,000, I would be surprised. Admittedly, the new owner faces a few tasks before the build is complete, but the heavy lifting is done. Therefore, I believe this 1972 Plymouth is worth every penny and deserves a closer look from anyone seeking a Mopar classic guaranteed to turn heads.