The Satellite was Plymouth’s premium mid-size car from 1965 to 1974. They were redesigned in 1971, and hardtops were treated to styling different from the sedans and wagons. This 1972 Satellite Sebring left the factory with a basic 318 cubic inch V8 but was restored and given a period-correct 440 V8 with twin 4-barrel carburetors that we’ll call an “8-Pack”. Located in Tigard, Oregon, this show-winning Mopar is available here on Hemmings for $69,000, though offers would be considered. This killer tip comes to us from “PRA4SNW”.
Plymouth built more than 137,000 Satellites in 1972 but that wasn’t a match for either the Chevy Malibu or Ford Torino. Just over 34,000 were Sebring hardtops like this one but other trim levels and body styles could be chosen from. This Sebring was given a frame-off restoration in 2018, and the odometer reads only 767 miles, likely the number of clicks since that work was completed. A 440 was sourced and redone with the extra carburetors and no mention of its new output. Since a 440 6-Pack was once rated at 390 hp, this one likely tops 400.
With interesting French Vanilla paint, white and black interior, and poverty hub caps, this hot car has managed to snag several awards, including Best in Class in one or more NW auto events. No expense was spared in redoing this Plymouth, right down to the nuts and bolts. The powerful motor is flanked by a 727 automatic and 8 ¾ rear end with 3.23 gears. Documentation is not in short supply here, including photos taken during the build.
Based on the seller’s description, this classic sounds better than new. If you tried to replicate what the seller has done with the Satellite, it might cost you more using another donor. The only thing that may not work here is the car’s original AM radio. Even a Road Runner “beep beep” horn has been added to the mix. If you chose to call this a “one of a kind” car, you might not be wrong.
Way too much carburation to be practical and indeed, useful. A standard 440 will lay you back in the seat as so where you can’t even lean forward to touch the dash. No need for anymore. This is going to just flood the intake. Expensive. Only good to show off when looking under the hood. The kind of cam needed to even partially use that gas is not going to be street able. Okay, Debbie Downer is finished posting for the evening. Time for warm milk and off to beddy.
If it has progressive linkage and vacuum secondaries, which it probably does, it will run just fine on the street. It will run on the primaries from the rear carb until you stick your foot in it, and then the front primaries open and lastly the secondaries will open on both front and back together. If it’s cammed right and has correct gearing it would be a very streetable car.
It can run on those primaries forever as if it only had a two barrel. This setup gives you the best of both worlds.
IIRC, my 6-Pack carbs set-up (stock) was a center 350 cfm with the 2 outer carbs rated 500 cfm for a total of 1350 cfm. 4-bbl carbs rated around 600-650 cfm are pretty common, so a 2 x 4-bbl set-up would be pretty much equivalent to the Mopar version.
Edelbrock makes a 500cfm 4bbl, Holley offers a 390cfm 4bbl, but it’s really expensive.
Steve R
2 bbls and 4 bbls are rated differently, so the sixpack actually flows about 980 cfm when directly compared to 4bbls according to most sources.
Either way, the carburetion is pretty much wasted on that old low rise offy single plane intake. This is pretty much all for show. A stock sixpack would run rings around this setup.
Love the dog dishes, think I’d lose the lettering.
That lettering is hideous. That isn’t original, is it?
I’m not sure. I’ve seen the “Plymouth” moniker on the side of car before, but I thought it was on a high-level trim option, with factory performance parts. The sandblasted lettering in the front window is what pushed me over the edge.
The lettering came standard on the 1970 Plymouth Superbird.
I am sure there’s a good amount of money that’s been put into it but that is still a high asking price for a non-original ’72. IMHO, would look more clean without the unnecessary Plymouth quarter panel lettering. Though I admit, I’ve never been a fan of those decals.
Tires remind me of Nascar… And it was a wild finish in Daytona Florida today. 🏁
Sucking gas, haulin’ a$$. Amazing they called this an intermediate size car. It looks so much bigger than a Torino or Chevelle. Think I prefer the sixties Road Runner better not that I could afford one.
There isn’t a ’72 318 Satellite in the world worth $69k. (At least not yet).
Really cool car though, I like it.
The Other Chris: I completely agree with everything you said about this.
I really like the looks of this car. I like the early 70’s Satellites/RoadRunners/GTX’s, especially with the large chrome grill surround/bumper in one.
The work is clean and appears well done. Unfortunately, as mentioned, the 440 doesn’t add $30,000 to the value and it doesn’t matter how much work/money has been put into it. I try telling my clients that every day. Some listen, some don’t. If this was a real deal 440 GTX/Road Runner, numbers correct, we might be getting close to that $70K number.
The way she sits, is more like mid 30’s. Console – floor shift would help as opposed to the column AT. 4 speed would definitely help.. but still couldn’t get her into the 40’s.
I agree 100% with AutoArcheologist!!
Not sure where the price comes from, but I don’t see 30k, never mind the 69k. Color is terrible, auto on the column with non-rally dash. Priced as it were a real Roadrunner/GTX. Poor investment!
Not a bad car, (I particularly like the custom decal on the air cleaner) and I’m sure it’s a blast to drive, but I’m afraid it’s long way from being $69,000 cool. Maybe 25 to 30K tops.
The pricing is about right for a rotissary restoration.
A friend paid about that for his 69 GTX from an estate sale.
He has been racking up the best of show trophies in the mountain west.
An East Coaster offered him 120K, if the rear axel number matched all the others, that never happened at the factory.
If I had the cash to not cringe, I’de be all over it.
But. I would better off with the slant 6. I am the Not Rod guy, if it came with a 6 I left it that way. I don’t need the attention of a loud motor.
If you can’t hear me coming or going? All the better.