Maybe I watch too many old TV programs, but this 1970 Plymouth Satellite looks a lot like the patrol car Malloy and Reed drove in Adam-12. Theirs would have been a Belvedere, however, a step down from the Satellite in terms of trim. Someone has gone to the trouble of painting this one to look like an old “black and white” as perhaps a potential prop for a TV movie or the like. But underneath, it’s not a police car with your basic 318 cubic inch family V8.
The Satellite had a 10-year run as Plymouth’s premium B-bodied intermediate (1965 to 1974). The GTX muscle machine (1967 to 1971) was based on the Satellite, combining performance with a higher level of goodies than the popular Road Runner. Most Satellites were purchased to transport the family from here to there. including more than 30,000 4-door sedans like this one in 1970.
We’re told this Satellite came out of North Carolina and was rust-free before the color was changed from its original dark green. The only thing besides the paint that has been done to make it look the part of a police car are the 15-inch wheels and center caps. The 318 engine runs and drives, but it will need a tune-up and some carburetor work.
The interior has seen better days and at least the front seat will need to be recovered. And that small aftermarket steering wheel has to go – no cop car would have one that small. The paint is good, but it needs to be buffed and detailed. Available here on eBay and in Punta Gorda, Florida, it’s an in-person deal at $6,500 – no shipping. If you bought it, what would you do with it? I’d want to check local regulations to see what I could get away with.
+10 for an Adam-12 reference, Russ!
In the later seasons of Adam-12,they had a ’71-’72 Satellite and the Sergeant (whose name I can’t remember,) had a ’70 wagon before they finally went to the AMC Matador.
William Boyett played Sgt. “Mac” MacDonald on Adam-12 and an officer on many other shows.
He also played on Highway Patrol as Broderick Crawford’s right hand man. His name went from Williams to Johnson, or vice versa.
I actually have watched the entire series over the last 2 years.
Macs wagon intrigued the heck out of me. It take a lot of digging to find much info about the mopar wagon police (also know as “Emergency” in factory
Literature) wagons.
That would be Sgt. “Mac” Mcdonald, played by the late William Boyett(12/22004.
Reed and Malloy drove a ’69 Belvedere in the 1970 season and then switched to the Satellite in ’71-’72 only to have it totalled in an accident near the end of that season.
Afterward, they went to AMCs which
they kept til the show ended in ’75.
Great program. Can’t get it on any
streaming service though. Cable has
gotten waaay too expensive for my
blood so all I can do is remember the
days when TV made sense.
When it comes to old police cars, no name comes up more often than Adam-12. Adam 12 did mimic what real L.A. police officers drove, many times older cruisers converted for the show. Reed and Malloy used Plymouths early on, a ’71 Satellite in season 4, and switched to AMC in ’72. L.A. also used Montegos that appear in the show too. If you notice, the cars in the background, or driving by are always the same. The gold Mustang, a Rambler Ambassador, even a red Cortina. I can’t find where “Mac” drove a Satellite wagon like this, he did have a ’69 wagon as his command post car, as I believe the AMC was the last wagon he was shown with.
I don’t think there’s any law against black and white cars, logos or lights may be illegal, I suppose in a black and white world in cars, you’ll fit right in.
I had a similar car,,,back in the 80s,,,for a winter car (NePa). NEVER had so much fun destroying that car ever !! WHAT a tank !
Does the cigarette lighter work?
Adam-12 used 68 and 69 Belvederes before switching to the Satellite in 71.
The 70 Belvedere was seen in a few background shots but LA didn’t use them as patrol cars. Mac had a corresponding wagon for each season.