The Sport Satellite was the upper trim level of Plymouth’s mid-size cars in the late 1960s/early 1970s. While hardtops and convertibles were popular, the Sport Satellite also came as station wagons with seating for either six or nine passengers. This is one of them that had a 383 cubic inch V8 when it was new. But that motor is MIA, so now a well-baked roller is ready for new power and a new life. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this Southwest Plymouth is available here on eBay where the Buy It Now price of $8,000 has been nearly reached ($7,300).
Plymouth only built about 4,000 Sport Satellite wagons in 1970, behind that of the market leader, the Chevy Chevelle Malibu. About half of them had seating for six passengers, like the seller’s version. It’s spent its entire life in a dry climate, first Arizona and then New Mexico, so the rust on this wagon seems to be relatively minor. But the Y4 gold paint has badly deteriorated, and we suspect the Plymouth once had fake woodgrain paneling on the sides and tailgate.
The VIN confirms this people mover was fitted with a 383 8-cylinder with a 2-barrel carburetor when it left the assembly line. The engine is long gone for reasons unknown. But the TorqueFlite automatic transmission is still in play. This wagon once had factory air conditioning, but we assume that hardware has also left the scene.
One suggestion the seller offers for the future of this wagon is to turn it into a Road Runner or GTX tribute. The latter would be more appropriate as the trim level would have been more similar. Since the interior needs to be redone anyway, why not pull the bench seat and replace it with buckets? We’re told the vehicle is about 98% complete in terms of trim pieces, and the factory roof rack would look cool with new chrome. If you bought the faded wagon, would you go that route or try to replicate its original build?
No, no, no, people in the future don’t want snarling beast station wagons, more like Carol Brady, that probably had a Slanty or 318. I think eventually, we’ll get over this “more is better”, and perhaps back to basic wheels for a family.
As far as TV , or society going back to “Brady Bunch” days, not going to happen, but what might happen, is these will come back, but in a more civilized form, and not GTX tributes.
LUV IT …400 B block sniper F.I duals, rebuilt the 727 with motor home guts, or a motor home 440 n trans + G.V O.D on either, rebuild the suspension and hit the power tour…..a/c would be nice also IF the missing parts could be located
I happen to have a ’77 Dodge motorhome with 440 with 77K miles. Also, a ’73 Dodge smaller motorhome with a running 360 with 51K miles. Who needs a/c when a vehicle has wing windows? I miss those windows…
Good point on the wings…That motorhome 440 n trans would be my choice 6 pack internals…use the tailshaft n tailhousing from the wagon OR as I said a GVOD
Isn’t a tribute the same as a replica? That being said there where no factory GTX wagons to my knowledge.
Nobody noticed the Studie…..?
I normally would advocate restoring a wagon like this to original specs, since I don’t see too many of these that aren’t modified. Although finding a date-correct 383 with the AC hardware shouldn’t be overly difficult, the fact that the engine and interior are gone would make this car a worthy “GTX Wagon” candidate. It would be a nice change of pace from the GM wagons that were modified into 442 or SS tributes.