Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Former Race Car: 1965 Plymouth Satellite

Plymouth introduced the Satellite in 1965 as its top-level mid-size model. It was based on the B-body platform that was also used by the Belvedere. In its first year, the car was only available as a 2-door hardtop and a convertible. This ’65 Mopar has been in the same family for 30 years and the seller’s father doctored it up to take to the racetrack. Located in a garage in Parker, Colorado, this once formidable hot rod is available here on craigslist for $25,000. Thanks for the cool trip, Mark_K!

The seller’s father bought this Satellite in the early 1990s. He passed away in 2015 and his daughter has decided it’s time for the automobile to move on to someone who can properly maintain it. It’s said to have been running until recently, but the fuel pump (or something else) went out. The Plymouth has a 440 cubic inch V8 that’s been tricked out with a 512 Stroker kit. As a result, when the car was in its prime it could run the quarter mile in 12 seconds even with an automatic transmission.

Interestingly, the owner decided to go racing with the Satellite as it was a more luxurious (and slightly heavier) car than Belvedere. It may have simply been a case of working with what you have. The body and paint seem to be in good condition with the seller saying it has “very little to no rust.” There is a scratch in the driver’s side door which may be the worst of it. Inside the car, the rear seat and door panels have been removed to reduce weight, but replacements will go with the car.

Besides the motor upgrade, the front end has been rebuilt, the rear springs have been updated, and the exhaust and gas tank are newer to the car. When the buyer takes the Plymouth to its new home, it will come with a variety of parts and components including racing slicks and some odds and ends. Perhaps this car still has a future on the racetrack, but maybe it’s time to just make the weekend car show circuit instead. The last photo is of the car in its prime at its home away from home.

Comments

  1. Avatar mike

    What a great car and story.Next caretaker will have a fun car.

    Like 10
  2. Avatar Robt

    Nice. Let’s go racing!!
    Or for another $2,999.- you can grab a 1970 restomod chevy cube van. Decisions, decisions …

    Like 2
  3. Avatar BrianT Member

    I always liked this body style. I worked in West Virginia for a bit and a coworker had one. I think his was just a 318 but it sounded great. He wanted to change the color and took it to one of those $99 paint job places. I have to admit, the paint job looked great until he decided to wax it two days after he got it back. Huge mistake.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Mark_K Member

    I wonder what this car would run at sea level. It was run at Bandimere, which is at 5,800 feet in altitude. Usually Bandimere will tag a car for at least a second due to the thinner air. Either way, it should be a great ride for whoever ends up with it.

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Steve

    Those bucket seats are NOT from a ’65 Satellite.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Gary

    A friend of my dad’s raced Chryslers in Super Stock back in the sixties. I was a kid and loved looking around the pits while they were working on the cars, little did I know the history I was seeing. He had a lightweight 64 Hemi Polara and a lightweight 65 Coronet. He bought a Belvedere later to add to the stable. Pop had a Willy’s Aero gasser with a 283 and another friend had a blown, injected 35 Chevy coupe gasser. Great times for sure

    Like 7
  7. Avatar stoney

    Had a ’65 Satellite back in the day. Only a 383 four barrel, Torqueflite, 4:56 rear. Very quick light to light downtown. Nice looking and driving car…straight line. Lots of room for friends and the girls too. This one could make a fun weekend cruiser…

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to Gary Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.