Vehicle Description
This 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus is today exactly what it
was in 1972: the answer to ever-more-expensive muscle cars. It was
too expensive to own a top-of-the-line Road Runner, what with
insurance rates skyrocketing, so the Sebring Plus rolled out with
plenty of firepower, bucket seats, and an outrageous look, all at a
lower price. Looks pretty good, even today, doesn't it?
Of course, painting anything Hemi Orange is going to attract
attention, and this Satellite wears it just as well as any of its
more prominent siblings. It also wears the fuselage styling better
than almost any other early '70s Mopar, mixing equal parts
aggressive looks and smooth curves. It was refinished a few years
ago and it's pretty clear that this has always been a nice, clean
car. We love the blacked-out grille surrounded by that chrome
bumper, the blacked-out hood treatment, and the traditional Go-Wing
out back, all of which should resonate with Chrysler fans. But the
Plus included the strobe stripes on the B-pillar, the chin
spoilers, and a few other tidbits to add that high-octane look. Add
in a black vinyl roof, some well-placed emblems and badges, and
twin exhaust pipes out back and you get a car that looks as fast as
it is.
Bucket seats were part of the Sebring Plus package, giving you Road
Runner accommodations without the price tag. The rest is pretty
much the same, from the center console to the three-spoke steering
wheel that wears the same woodgrain as the door panels. Nice
carpets are protected by monogrammed floor mats, and this one
carries a full set of gauges, including a factory tach. A T-handle
shifter manages the TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic underneath and
you'll note that this car is equipped with factory A/C, which has
now been upgraded with a modern compressor. A factory Music Master
AM radio is still in the dash, but it works and if you like
authenticity, don't bother changing it out. The back seat might
very well be original, which is a good indicator that this car has
led an easy life, and the trunk is nicely finished with a correct
mat, full-sized spare tire on a color-matched steel wheel, and a
factory jack assembly.
A 400 cubic inch V8 replaced the venerable 383, and with a 4-barrel
carburetor, made a rather substantial 255 horsepower. Luckily, this
one still retains the original number's matching engine, which was
the top engine in the Satellite (you could still get a 440 in your
Road Runner) and delivers that fat punch of torque right off idle,
so no worries about needing more cubic inches. The engine bay is
beautifully detailed, starting with an open-element air cleaner
with reproduction decals, Hemi Orange on the block itself, and
beautifully finished inner fenders and firewall, suggesting that
the car was fully disassembled for paint. A big aluminum radiator
provides plenty of capacity for warm days and long-tube headers
feed a burbling dual exhaust system that sounds just about right.
The TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission has quick reflexes
and won't make you wish for a 4-speed, while 3.23 gears out back
make this a decent highway cruiser that never gets tiring. The
underside is mostly original, but you can see that it's in good
order and not rusty, and you have to love that lowered stance with
a nasty rake. Cool 17-inch Magnum replicas are the right choice and
they carry staggered 245/45/17 front and 255/50/17 rear performance
radials.
This Satellite gets a lot of things right, not the least of which
is the price. Add in the cool looks, quality workmanship, and its
rarity, and you get a collector car that is the answer to
ever-escalating muscle car values. Call today!
