The Satellite was Plymouth’s upscale mid-size car from 1965 to 1974. An extension of the B-bodied Belvedere, it spawned the GTX muscle car in 1967-71. This ’70 2-door hardtop may be a fairly routine edition, off the road since the 1980s. The seller suggests it could serve as a Superbird clone, but that one-year model was based on the lower-level Road Runner. Loaded with patina (and rust), this project Plymouth is in Allen, Texas, and is available here on craigslist for $12,500.
As with the Belvedere, Road Runner, and other Chrysler B-bodies, sales in 1970 saw a downturn from 1968-69. That was likely because the refresh in styling wasn’t a major departure in anticipation of a new design coming in 1971. The Satellite was a family car though could be equipped with a bit of muscle, too. But that was not the case with this example which has the basic 318 cubic inch V8 and a TorqueFlite automatic transmission.
Plymouth assembled more than 82,000 Satellites in 1970 of which 28,200 copies were the 2-door hardtop coupe like this one. Nearly 9,000 Sport Satellites in the same body style were also produced, but there’s no indication this Mopar is one. Not much is said about this automobile’s background except that it was last on the road four decades ago. Along the way, some parts are missing (like the radiator), and a fair amount of rust has been working its way out.
Described as a triple green car, its vinyl roof is long gone, and rust is present, especially in the pillars around the windshield. The interior has also succumbed to the passage of time and will need a complete makeover. The seller may be a dealer and references photos on his/her website but doesn’t provide a link to find them. Whether this car is a Superbird clone wannabe, a lot of work and parts sourcing will be needed. Thanks for the Mopar tip, T.J.!
I had this almost exact car in B7 blue, white vinyl top with blue cloth interior, 318, 904 auto, PS and AC. I hope someone buys this and restores it to what is it, a Satellite, not a clone of a Roadrunner, GTX or Superbird, as mentioned in the write-up. Price, however, is about $10k too high.
Lots of rust on the floors and trunk, where are leaks coming from? How much damage is there on the roof or the window channels, what’s wrong with the engine? This is a lot of money for what’s basically a roller that needs everything. Someone who is patient and persistent can do better.
Steve R
I love the 1970 Satellite especially the Sport Satellite (which is actual rare car) however this car has been on all different websites for sale including eBay and it hasn’t sold for over a year. Good luck for the next owner since it will need a complete rebuild. But we all know it is going to be clone of either a roadrunner or GTX which you can actually buy complete/done with the money you have to put into this.
Our neighbor bought a new one. Black 1970 2dr HT. Beautiful, but it had what had to be the ugliest wheel covers of all time. He didn’t seem to mind, but I told myself I would have ordered the road wheels, but then again, the dealers really charged through the nose for factory wheels, way more then they should have. Quite a scam. That’s why most cars from that era didn’t have them. Young people today would have thought that all cars came standard with nice factory wheels, or with a high output V8 for that matter. That is why I feel it is so important that more pedestrian type cars are preserved and brought to shows so young people can get a better idea of the history. That history also includes how exciting getting a new car was back then. When someone got one, it was an event, everyone had to come and see it. Almost like the birth of a child. Today, most people could care less.
Thanks for the laugh.
My wife had her father’s hand-me-down 69 Satellite in the same green color that was common then. It had the slant 6 base motor though. This is while we were dating before marriage. It was referred to as “The Ashtray” as there were butts and ashes everywhere! She didn’t like the car or take care of it, but part of the reason that she was attracted to me was I could work on her car, change the oil, etc. One day she phoned me (on a payphone as this was in the late seventies). She had stopped at a light, and someone had rear ended her. The police were on the way. I arrived and she was still screaming at a poor foreigner. He had a small Japanese car and the front end was all messed up. The “Ashtray” just had a minor dent and scratch on the bumper. It fit right in with the rest of the car! She later told me that she felt sorry for losing her temper. I married her and this event still comes up occasionally 45 years later. I do still work on her car (a Lexus) that she stopped driving. Now she is “chauffeured” by me.
Some of the prices are too much for these classic cars,most of them will require frame off,restoration, but look at what you’ll get after a finished project, a car that if you have an issue, Autozone,has your part,Ebay,no dealership needed ,money to revive, yes, I have a 2001 Honda DX standard,bought it for 2,200$5years ago, I’ve replaced a wheel bearing and redid the suspension for under 500.00 $I’ve been offered 5000,00$ for it and turned it down needs a little bit of body work and a paint job, have a guy that will do it for 2,300$, need headliner and visors,and carpet,have a guy that will do it for500$, the engine run great so I’ve got 2,800 into the car,by the way I ordered a trunk lid spoiler for 75$from Ebay, bet that ride when finished, I’ll be offered 10,000, why?texas car, no rust, for sale? No,but I’ve got a great car with 140,000 miles and no bank note on a Nissan,Hyundai, all the garbage that’s out there from deadealerships,so consider these old cars,that are worth every penny, or go pay a dealership 35,000, that you will finance for 5 years, and be right back at the dealership ready to sign your name on another piece of garbage, my son has a 2003 honda accord, check engine light came on, 2 o2 sensors, cost,1,700$, now look what you can get with these classic cars,restoration required, yes, but what a joy to drive and it will be in your family for generations