How does it happen that a car, when only eight years old and has experienced a scant 27K miles, ends up parked for the next 46 years? I dunno, it’s a head-scratcher but it does happen periodically. And with this installment, we find the low mileage/long-term squirreled away status bestowed on a 1968 Plymouth Satellite. This oh-so green Mopar is located in Buford, Georgia and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $17,100, reserve not yet met. Thanks to Larry D for this tip!
In 1968, Plymouth’s mid-size B-body came in several flavors including the Sport Satellite, Satellite – such as our subject car, Belvedere, and the GTX. Also new for ’68 was the budget muscle car known as the Road Runner. Classic Industries claims that all told, there were 241K Plymouth B-body cars assembled in ’68 of which 44K were Road Runners. The Road Runner was so outsized in its popularity, however, that the Satellite and Belvedere get lost in the shuffle and every time that I spy a ’68 B-body, my thoughts go straight to that comical Coyote Duster. Regardless of trim level or model, Plymouth really got B-body restyling right in ’68 – it’s a simple, clean design that has stayed fresh for over a half-century.
The seller confirms that the Avocado Green finish is original and adds, “Car has zero rust period the most solid Mopar I have ever seen“. Well, it looks it and that’s encouraging as this vintage Mopar can be a rust magnet. There are some minor dings referenced but not obvious though the vinyl top covering shows as new. The only observed demerit goes to the pitted front bumper, apparently, it had a storage disagreement with a bag of fertilizer and I guess the bag won. No aftermarket wheels for this Satellite, it still has its original wheel covers.
Plymouth power comes from the very commonly found 230 gross HP, 318 CI V8. The seller states, “took motor out and changed gaskets and seals and put new rings in from sitting all those years“. That seems initially to be a surprise, a seized engine perhaps? And if so, what else would have, or should have had attention? Regardless, it is claimed that this Satellite, “is turn-key ready no work to be done“. While the engine was probably repainted when reassembled, the engine compartment looks like it has seen more than 27K miles of use though the surface rust may just be the result of this car’s slumbering environment. A TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission is in charge of gear changes.
The claimed to be original interior is, if nothing else, certainly green! It’s a standard bench seat configuration but does lend credence to the mileage claim. The upholstery shows no sign of wear or tears, the same thing with the dash pad – no splits. Plymouth instrument panels from this era were about as bare-bones as they came but the functionality, and simplicity, are something to be appreciated. We have a headliner shot too, no worries there. Good to see is the original radio with its distinctive thumbwheel tuner.
No Road Runner here and that’s actually good because it’s those 44K Road Runners and 18K GTX’s that have mostly survived and not a lot of interest was shown in preserving the remaining 179K mid-sized ’68 Plymouths. The story around the engine tear-down seems a bit unusual but an inquiry could probably put any potential worries to rest. So let’s speculate, where do you think the reserve is pegged on this sharp-looking Satellite hardtop?
Geez, how much longer woulda’ve it taken to paint the air cleaner?
I like it, needs some classic muscle car wheels and tires but it seems like a nice time capsule.
But like 8banger said, they partially rebuilt the motor but couldn’t spend an extra hour to prep and paint the air cleaner? Odd. Still a neat car, I was always partial to the Sport Satellite over the RR or GTX only because I like to be a little different :)
Paint the engine but not the engine bay? Hmmmmm….
As long as the damage/rust isn’t too bad, I prefer it this way. Keep it original, if not perfect. Not every car, especially one like this, needs to be a trailer queen.
Hellcat crate motor needs to be put in this one.
go sit in the corner with the idiot that wants to repaint the air cleaner.
I’m wondering why you’d need to change the rings in a 27K mile engine? Maybe this is why it was parked for 46 years – it had some kind of a problem. It doesn’t matter much because it was preserved, and it sure looks great!
I can’t imagine the reserve would be higher than $19,000.00 if at that. If it had a 440 Commando, then certainly higher. Still, this would be a nice build to do a retro-mod on. And its everyone’s favorite color…..Green, inside and out.
Neighbors had one back in the day. Was gold and enjoyed looking at it. I’d say reserve is set at $ 20,000. Not worth that but still fun car. Ed T
Sorry, but anytime I see a 1968 Satellite (regardless of body style) my mind automatically goes to Adam-12 and the black and white LAPD sedan.
True, although those were Belvederes . Id love to find even a 4 door one of these, but they , like everything else, and going for big money
Don, I might have a comparable low-mile sedan for sale soon – Eric 406-594-3075
I’d leave the wheels and tires exactly how they are. To me more rare and cool to have the hubcaps. Lots of them around with magnums and other aftermarket wheels. Originality is best
I don’t see this Satellite as a great investment. The Plymouth brand is dead and current younger drivers wouldn’t know much about the legacy. Certainly a GTX or Road Runner or Sport Fury GT from the Rapid Transit Era will jog memories but Plymouths morphed into twins of similar Dodge cars before its demise. A 27,000 mile car (if documented) is rare but the seller had to use the defibrillator on it to make it live again so the advantage of low mileage on a used car is negated. I can only speculate that the car was stored by some brave young soldier who did not survive Vietnam to drive it again and it sat for years. I love the boxy practical mid sized Satellite and the 318 engine. The provenance would be as interesting as the car itself.
That would be a good driver with the good fuel mileage of the 318 and a car with plenty of room. I can see the Georgia clay on the underside
Nice find Jim! Its lasted this long now detail it and leave it alone.
This car reminds of the one a girlfriend and I drove from Chicago to FL back in ’75. Outfitted bare bones with only a 318 & p/s, it was a long hot drive!
Ahhh, memories…..
I bought one (same car but light blue/white top) in the 70s for $750. I did a brake job on it, and drove (beat) it for 9 years! It never failed me, the 318 moved quite well!