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.
That looks like the factory two tone paint scheme that was standard on the Sebring Plus in 72…not a custom job. There should be chrome trim separating the two colors though.
If it was ordered with bucket seats and a console, why in the Hell does it have a column shifter & no floor-mounted shifter linkage & console brackets? WTF? That steering wheel is hideous, too.
My friend back in the 80s had the same setup in his Sebring no console buckets and column mount shifter..
That’s how my ’73 Barracuda came. Not as uncommon as you would think.
Where does it say in the ad that it came with a center console? If it had a column mounted shifter , it came with a fold down center armrest
Because that’s how they did it when the car was ordered with the torqueflite transmission. Why? Don’t know. — If it was ordered with a 4 speed stick shift – the shifter was floor mounted in the console. The original distinctive 3-spoke steering wheel was rather attractive, so I have no idea why someone would replace it with the hideous one on this Sebring. Fairly sure you can still find the original steering wheel to put it back the way it should be. It appears this Sebring would be well worth the additional cost of completing the restoration, and I hope the new owner does right by it and completes it without “customizing” it any more than it is already.
Seating, shift lever and console continue to be the question in the comments. Back when you could and did order your car the way you wanted it the console was always an option to be added to the bucket seat configuration. To locate the automatic transmission selector on the floor required a center console unless you had the Ford design with the integrated shift pattern. When no console was ordered the car was a column select. To understand why this car exists today would require a conversation with the customer or dealer that placed the original order. Having a console included with the bucket seats is a relatively recent thing. If you consider 80s recent.
why not finish it. no time is just a lame excuse. be easier to sell for sure.
Watching a local Plymouth dealership TV ad for a 72 Satellite was the very first time my brain turned to thoughts of how to pay for my own car. The monthly payment on the Satellite was $88, but I was only making around $40-$50 a month cutting grass, so the numbers just didn’t add up. Down payment, insurance, tags, or gas never even entered my mind at the time. Wound up with a clean $200 ’65 beetle several months later when I turned 15.
I was a bit too young to buy a new car in ’72 but do remember the ads for the Sebring in my Dad’s car mags.
It left an impression because my first car in ’78 was a ’73 Barracuda. A Sebring was also on the shopping list, but the Barracuda showed up.
Didn’t Paul Harrell have a car like that? Better shape I imagine.
The only Paul Harrell I know is the firearms trainer. Did he also have a Sebring?
He had a few Mopars I think. He passed away a little over a year ago, I think, and they sold his car collection. He lived in Oregon.
I knew that he had passed away but didn’t know about the Mopar collection. Thanks for the info.
I agree RoadDog and others. Finish the job. You will get more coin for your efforts! Ok. If i brought this. I would cut a hole in the and install 4 speed with the pistol grip shifter. Easy to change the pedals. And get a console for the shifter. Fix up the interior keep it stock looking. 16″ Magnum 500 rims with red line tires. And get the machine gun exhaust tips thats factory. And what ever else needs to get it done..It will be a sweet Mopar. Hopefully the extra parts the seller has to complete this ride. Thats my dream idea. Good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻
It’s easy for us sitting behind the keyboard to say that the seller should finish this, and I’m sure they wish that they could, judging by all of the effort already put into this beauty.
There are a lot of unknown factors that are most likely playing a role in the decision to let it go in this condition. Could be physical, mental, financial, etc.
There are a lot of cars in my area with fresh shiny paint over a layer of filler on top of rust that look great for about 6 months before everything turns to poo poo.
No one will look after your interests unless you are willing to do so for yourself. It’s easy for uninterested parties to express a positive opinion when the money isn’t coming out of their pocket.
Steve R
Promising.
That interior shot shows the best looking original Mopar floor I’ve seen in years. That may indicate the the rest of the car was pretty decent before paint.Be easy to determine.The TTI headers are bonus.
I had a ’72 Satellite Sebring Plus with a 383 4 brl that came in the car from the factory, and it was a screamer that bolted the lightweight Satellite body from stop to 70mph in a few seconds, so I really don’t understand why the need for the 340 in this one. Probably replaced the 318 that came with the car, but why not then go with a rebuilt 383 from another ’72 Satellite Sebring or a new crate 383? The engine in it makes no sense to me for this Sebring.
Once finished in and out – this Sebring will be stunning. I am one of those people that see the ’71 and ’72 Satellite body style as stunningly beautiful and strikingly innovative among a sea of boring boxy squared-off body styles across the board as its competitors. I very much hope this Sebring is finished off to perfection by the new owner, and would love to see it again in its finished form!!!
It needs a lot of work to finish it . but when done it will be a nice driver and turn a head or 2 at car shows.