Plymouth introduced a Sport model for their popular Satellite back in 1968, featuring a higher level of trim than the base car. From the outside, it was almost as cool as owning a Road Runner, although the latter came standard with a 383 under the hood. The base engine for the Sport Satellite was a 318, but fortunately, the original buyer of this 1969 model for sale here on eBay opted for a big block. This one’s a southern Mopar, presently located in Saint Marys, Georgia, with the current bid of $10,100 not yet enough for the B-Body to exchange hands, as the reserve has not been reached.
Sadly, the factory 383 is now locked up internally, but that original motor is included with the sale. The positive news is that there’s now a 1970 date code 383 in the bay, which has been rebuilt and is running strong. A Holley carb sits on top of an Offenhauser intake, with some additional goodies such as Schumacher headers and an aluminum radiator, to help keep things cool in the bay. One item to practice caution with is the 8-quart oil pan, which seems to be sitting quite close to the ground, so be cautious around potholes and take it slow over speed bumps. The drivetrain retains its original 4-speed manual transmission and 8 3/4 rear end.
The seller believes the panels are original except for the passenger-side quarter, but it appears as though a skilled body man made the swap, as I’m not seeing much difference in this area except for a slightly different shade of green. The paint is described as being in generally rough condition, but this one won’t need a whole lot of effort before it’s ready for a respray, with just some minor damage on the passenger side fender seeming to be the biggest exterior blunder.
If it’s only a decent driver you’re looking for, the interior might be OK for a while without too much attention, although the owner suggests that replacing the door panels would be a welcomed improvement. A trio of gauges and an aftermarket tach have been added under the dash, but any inside flaws are overshadowed by the three-pedal configuration, which is the real beauty in here for me. This one seems like a fun car to just enjoy like it is for a few seasons, then maybe take up a notch or two when the feeling is right. What would you do here?
Decent looking project, the 4spd is a big plus. Those 8 quart oil pans were popular for some reason in the 80’s and early-90’s before people wised up a figured out the extra capacity doesn’t do you a lick of good when you knock a hole in the pan.
This seller’s green Cougar that’s currently up for auction on eBay was featured on this site a few days ago.
Steve R
had a Moroso 8qt. swivel pick up, windage tray, braided lines to the Moroso hi volume pick up.the best brass pump drive shaft…still managed to shear a key in the oil pump? young and dumb! 440 powered a 70 clone Cuda. drove SLOW on cHicago streets back in the 80s!
Always a good idea to keep things factory.
In the description it does mention being converted to front disk brakes. JS
The juice doesn’t seem to worth the squeeze with those big low oil pans.
Whoever buys this should live someplace where steering is not needed a lot. A BB engine on top of manual steering is a bear to drive. Manual drum brakes are also not a lot of fun. Hopefully it has 11×3 drums so that it has some stopping power.
I am still a bit unclear what is going on with the pass side quarter panel. Someone went to all the effort to cut a new one in and then used the wrong color?
I have always enjoyed the body lines of the early Satellite, Roadrunner and GTX model cars. I have kicked myself HARD every time I think of the day I sold my 68 GTX hemi all original car. Damn I miss that car.
This car could make a nice sudo, gorgeous sounding well mannered street sleeper. After you put a straight axle under the front end. Tub the rear-end and put a frame mounted roll bar with restraint system, and 14″ Hoosiers’ on a 9″ Ford 4:10 rear-end…with traction bars.
Well, there ya go. Nice car to start with.
Oh yeah, and then do the body work. I’d leave it the original color. IMHO.
What a fun project this could be! Imagine a big block B body that’s affordable and not completely trashed. I hope whoever buys this car keeps it true to it’s Sport Satellite lineage and doesn’t turn it into a Road Runner “tribute” car. In the long run it will probably be worth more as an original 4 speed car anyway!
The Road Runner was the 1969 motor trend car of the year.The 383 was a great motor with lots of high performance potential(having a bore and stroke of 4.25×3.32in)My stepdad built a 426 low deck from the 383 in his 69′ Road Runner.Got it to run 11.80s in the quarter with stock curb weight…
4.25 x 3.38