While a clone is typically considered an automobile that replicates an actual model as closely as possible, a tribute has looser reins and leaves more room for taking liberties and adding personal touches, allowing a builder to turn a car into whatever he or she envisions without needing to follow a specific pattern. This 1970 Plymouth Satellite would fall into the latter category, as it has received components that certainly emulate a Superbird, yet it’s detailed differently from how one would have appeared when new back in ’70. This custom Mopar is in Kelowna, BC, Canada, and can be spotted here on eBay, where the seller has listed it at $85,000.
The Plymouth Satellite and Road Runner from this era are both B-Bodies, and while very similar in appearance, the original Superbird was actually based on the Road Runner. However, the visionary here incorporated the correct taillight assemblies, which is one of the more noticeable differences between the two cars. It’s noteworthy that the donor Satellite sounds like a solid example to start with, with most of the non-add-ons reportedly being the original panels. The exterior is said to have been taken down to the bare metal, then coated with a Hot Rod Black finish, definitely not one of the seven colors available on the Plymouth wing car in 1970. All original Superbirds were also equipped with a vinyl roof, which has been left off here, but the rear window appears correctly shaped.
Probably the most significant difference between this car and the real thing lies under the hood, as the bay here houses a 318 engine. The Superbird came standard with a 440 cubic-inch V8 known as the Super Commando, and it produced a satisfying 375 horsepower in bone-stock form. Next up was the 440 with three 2-barrel carbs on top, followed by the legendary 426 Hemi, topped with a pair of 4-barrels. The small block here is said to have been recently refreshed, and a custom side-exit exhaust system has also been installed, which is more of a tribute to the styling of a 1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda.
Another difference between the Satellite and Road Runner is the driver’s view of the dashboard, as the Road Runner featured individual round instruments while the Satellite used a horizontal speedometer with the other gauges arranged around it. Finding a column-shifted automatic transmission like this one is common for a Superbird, and many were also equipped with a front bench seat, so the buckets are a nice sporty touch. This 1970 Plymouth Satellite is certainly different in many ways from some of the other Superbird tributes we’ve seen in the past, and while I can easily appreciate all the thought and hard work that’s been done here, the $85,000 cost may be a bit steep for some would-be potential buyers. What are your thoughts on this one?
All that work, for all that cash, and only a 318? Why not a 225?
It’s got the great V8 rumble Fahrv😃
85Kanadian $’s
See what I did there with the K instead of a C for 85,000
I saw that. Very klever.
Kool
Ooh, Chrysler’s Leaning Tower of Power – now your’e talking. Maybe pop a turbo on it!
Tribute=counterfeit.
Clone=counterfeit.
Would have been better off restoring the Satellite.
I agree would have left it a Satellite instead of all this work for a lot of money here.
Joe Dirt movie tribute 😂😆😂
Wasn’t that a Daytona?
Yes, it was.
Easy swap in LA based 408 fir 450 hp. And a 6sp tremec stick too
So take 15-20k off price and I’ll bite.
When people do this kind of stuff to a car, they must be assuming that there are other people out there who will then want to pay big money for such a thingie?
Also, looking closely, this is really just a well-done appearance job. Get the ‘bird parts, tack them on, paint it all flat black, bolt on some wheels and tires, upgrade the interior to be presentable, and see if someone will buy it for $85K
This is right out of the Danny Koker school.
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Way too much $ to still have a small 8 under the hood. As mentioned above, ‘a fool and his …’
Owner ran across a deal on a Daytona nose, fender scoops/clearance aids and a wing at a swap meet. I’m not really fan of “hot rod black”. This car has no visual appeal.
Its a flip-shop job.
The ebay listing explains that the ‘bird parts are readily available as a fiberglass kit.
He’s got $10k in it, plus some quick labor. Flat black saves a lot of time and gives it some vibe.
While sort of cool there are other cars I’d rather show up in. Are you ever going to show that engine to the public? Laughter will surely ensue. No thank you. My feelings on tributes are well documented.
318 & matte black paint to his suspicious body work for $85k. Wowzers.
I was kind of excited when I first saw the pics until I saw it only has a 318 engine and then I saw the price. I do like the way it looks, very aggressive, looking and has a nice stance.
I agree to some extent about restoring it back to its factory form, but there’s other Plymouth Satellites that can be bought. Yes, it’s a fake Superbird but right now if you wanted a real one you’re looking at a minimum of $250,000.
Aside from those two things, maybe I’m in the minority, I think that it looks pretty cool! Don’t know about the workmanship, but if the workmanship is good, then I would certainly have fun cruising around in this car. I guess I have a soft spot for Plymouth Superbirds because when I was a teenager, I used to drive up to Montreal a few times a month and there used to be a white Superbird just a couple miles in from the US/Canada border. Eventually I saw a ‘70 Boss 302 Mustang in the next driveway then one day both disappeared.
Don’t know how much horsepower that engine is putting out but I remember hot rod magazine modifying a 318 and getting 400 reliable horsepower out of it. Don’t know what this one has though.
Visually, I think it is very cool, too. An interesting resto-mod vibe.
This ain’t no resto-mod, but it’s priced to appear that way. It’s a bolt-on wiz-bang builders gambit fishing for a buyer who doesn’t know any better. It’s a $25k car, maximum.
But still cool.
Ok, I must be missing something. While a couple of people have mentioned the price, I haven’t seen anyone point out that the price is not only “a little high”, it’s insane. I honestly see about a $3,000 car here.
Defiantly not a clone. There’s more wrong than Right. It appears the owner took the Satellite and put on the nose and wing. If I took it to a Cars and Coffee, I would be embarrassed to open the hood.
I have no use for “clones” and “tributes”; they’re simply fakes. As for this one, using a 318 is a real head-scratcher. Obviously he didn’t want a 440, but there are other Mopars better than a 318. At least he didn’t use a slant six. That flat black paint is a real turn-off, but that’s just me. I would have just restored the Satellite and recreated the one I drove in High School!
$85k for a 318, Joe Dirt homogenized Superbird rip-off lol?
It definitely would get my attention passing me on the interstate. That’s where the fun lies,,,, Driving it with no worries. Driving the real thing is a tad bit nerve racking in traffic.
I like the stance.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha
85k for a fake? Aehy
I love the look, till you pop the hood!
Ahhh lots of snappy comments – agree priced 40k too high and likely thrown together on purpose to make a buck; but let’s keep the high road since I like to personalize my junk and I really don’t care someone’s negative vibes – go joe d! If it was a private seller w passion I appreciate that!