Dec 26, 2018  •  For Sale  •  41 Comments

Daily Driver or Project? 1974 Plymouth Satellite

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The reality with this 1974 Plymouth Satellite is that it is probably a good vehicle to use as a daily driver. However, if someone doesn’t buy it, then the owner has every intention of parting it out. It is a solid and clean car, and it really would be a shame if that were to be its ultimate fate. I have to thank Barn Finder J Llu for referring the Satellite to us. The car is located in Palm Desert, California, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist.

The Satellite presents quite well, and I think that it would be a shame for the owner to dismantle it. The body is straight and clean, with no obvious rust issues or panel damage. I don’t know whether the car is wearing its original paint, but if it is, it has certainly held up well. The exterior chrome and trim are also in good condition.

Under the hood are a 225ci slant-6 engine and automatic transmission. The car is also fitted with power brakes and air conditioning. The car has also recently been treated to a new alternator, a new starter, and new tires. This is a daily driver that is just ready to be used, and the owner says that it does drive nicely.

While the interior may not be perfect, it is still not bad for a 44-year-old car. There are some cracks in the dash pad, and wear on the wheel, but the overall condition would be fine for a daily driver. The headliner looks really good, and I did notice that the car has been fitted with an aftermarket radio/cassette player.

Okay, so this Satellite is not the most desirable car on the planet, I admit that. But it is a comfortable, spacious car that would make a great daily driver. Finding a Satellite of this vintage that is this clean and original is a bit of a rarity, and it could be used either as it is, or it could be a prime candidate for an engine transplant. The owner has set the price at $2,600, and I hope that someone will buy it because it really does seem too nice to finish up as a parts car.

Comments

  1. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember
    Dec 25, 2018 at 8:04pm

    Wow, this car is really nice. Frank Gannon nice, or Karl Malden nice, but still it’s a really clean looking car. If it were closer I’d buy it on the spot.

    So, why part it out? Who the hell is restoring a ’74 Satellite, and if there IS somebody restoring one, just buy this car and save yourself the trouble.

    Like 23
    • Mountainwoodie
      Dec 26, 2018 at 10:49am

      Or even Michael Douglas nice :) Exactly what I thought when I saw it…….EVERY cop show in the late sixties early seventies featured these driven by movie actors turned TV cops……..

      Like 7
      • local_sheriff
        Dec 26, 2018 at 1:16pm

        ‘Streets of San Fransisco’ material for sure! It’s a miracle it’s still alive and definately deserves a prolonged life. Can’t believe it’s so clean, this must be a deceased lil’ old lady’s car?

        If it wasn’t for my garage is full I’d take it right away; I’d painted the doors white,slammed a Beacon Ray or couple of 14’s on the roof and we’d have a new cruiser for local sheriff’s deputy !

        Someone please take it before I change my mind…!

        Like 1
      • Fordfan
        Dec 26, 2018 at 2:05pm

        Streets of San Francisco. I believe was sponsored by Ford so no Plymouth allowed unless driven by the bad guy

        Like 4
      • local_sheriff
        Dec 26, 2018 at 3:50pm

        Fordfan – that is absolutely correct ; ‘cars furnished by Ford Motor Company’ was on the intro. That series is the first that comes to mind when I’m thinking of 70s cop series.

        However, I meant this car checks out most boxes for any el cheapo law enforcement cruiser in Anytown ,Calisota . Even the old man tan looks correctly great /terrible (your choice)on this one; I’m tempted…

        Like 1
      • Rick Rothermel
        Dec 26, 2018 at 5:03pm

        This or the Dodge equivalent was the car of choice for the villains on MANNIX. Joe was great, but he needed driving lessoins from Jim Rockford.

        Like 3
      • Miguel
        Dec 27, 2018 at 8:04am

        local_sheriff, I thought the same thing. It is a shame it has the slant 6 under the hood.

        Like 0
      • local_sheriff
        Dec 27, 2018 at 9:11am

        Miguel – I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a shame it has a /6 … those sixes can be hot’up with some well-chosen upgrades , actually I like it MORE for it having the six. The 225 is the ‘big block’ six and the most suitable for tuning. If I where to change anything in the driveline, I’d rather put in a 4spd stick , though I understand most desire the V8.

        Though most copcars came with a V8, there’s still a possibility some departments on a budget could have picked a /6 in the 70s. Who would care if it’s not 100% correct, it’d be just for cruise-ins? One is hopefully not going out to chase villains in a 74 Plymouth?

        Like 2
    • Walter
      Dec 26, 2018 at 8:41pm

      Agreed! Body color wide rims w/ dogfish caps drop in a 383, duals etc… Would love it!

      Like 3
    • Duane Boda
      Apr 5, 2023 at 9:35pm

      That’s Bill Gannon – Dragnuts 🫨
      Anyone parting out such a gem must have rocks in his fricking head 🥴

      Like 0
  2. CapNemo
    Dec 26, 2018 at 8:19am

    I agree. I understand that it’s his car and can do with it as he pleases, but it gets under my skin when a seller threatens to part a vehicle out if it doesn’t sell. They don’t appreciate the vehicle, they just want some cash flow, and I don’t see a lot of it coming from this 6 cylinder 4 door. If I was a bit closer, I’d buy it immediately to save it from that fate.

    Like 15
  3. MFerrell
    Dec 26, 2018 at 8:21am

    It’s like the seller is holding it for ransom. “Buy it, or else I’ll kill it!”

    Like 20
  4. Fred W
    Dec 26, 2018 at 9:04am

    Can’t believe this still exists- especially after watching Smoky and the Bandit, Blues Brothers and Dukes of Hazzard.

    Like 10
    • SlantSixSwinger
      Dec 26, 2018 at 9:39am

      Even Hunter and McCall went thru a couple of these…

      Like 18
      • Walter
        Dec 26, 2018 at 8:42pm

        Read my mind! “Works For Me”

        Like 4
  5. 71FXSuperGlide
    Dec 26, 2018 at 9:45am

    $2600 for a car of this vintage and overall condition seems like a great deal.

    Hopefully someone will call his bluff and buy it.

    Like 10
  6. FordGuy1972 Fordguy1972Member
    Dec 26, 2018 at 9:47am

    Isn’t this the same type of car that Fred Dryer drove in the cop series “Hunter?” If I’m not mistaken, more than a few of these four-door sedans were wrecked or damaged on that show.

    Anyway, this is a nice clean car that shouldn’t be parted out. It’s a perfect daily driver for cheap money. Hopefully, the seller doesn’t strip it and then find out nobody is restoring these four-doors. Satellite sedans and wagons for 1971 – 1974 used a longer wheelbase than the coupes and hardtops so I’m thinking some parts won’t interchange if you’re looking to restore a coupe or hardtop.

    Like 5
    • Jett
      Dec 26, 2018 at 12:07pm

      It’s nice to see survivors like this reasonably priced. If I had the bucks, I’d seriously consider a car like this for summer fun duty. Anyone who’d use it as a daily driver needs a slap upside the head!

      Like 2
    • Rick Rothermel
      Dec 26, 2018 at 5:09pm

      HUNTER cars were ex-LAPD and newer,. late-70s of the stacked-headlight variety.
      I interviewed Fred Dryer years ago, asked him why that car, he said it was one he could FIT INTO and enter/exit with a little grace. I’m 6’5″, he made me look like a midget. Nice guy, very quiet and dignified and into cars, had an Impala SS at the time.

      Like 4
      • Walter
        Dec 26, 2018 at 8:45pm

        Great story! Have a great pre- release poster of Hunter shows Dryer W/ gun and the caption ” Outguns The Sit-coms”.

        Like 2
  7. Del
    Dec 26, 2018 at 10:14am

    1500 offer and its yours I bet ?

    Like 1
  8. Chuck Simons
    Dec 26, 2018 at 10:16am

    With an original spare?

    Like 1
  9. BRIAN KINNARD
    Dec 26, 2018 at 11:19am

    Too nice to cut up. I cal BS!

    Like 11
  10. Kenneth Carney
    Dec 26, 2018 at 12:46pm

    I’d do it too if I were closer. Just right for
    Sis to drive to work and cruise it on week-
    ends. Despite what some folks say, these
    slant six cars were good reliable transport for someone who really needs
    it. Who needs a screaming V-8 when a
    great running 225 will do. Need to kick
    it around with the family first.

    Like 3
  11. yes300ed
    Dec 26, 2018 at 12:56pm

    Amazing! This must be fun slow. Watch get eaten up by a Honda Fit! Great car.

    Like 3
  12. Vincent Zebraitis
    Dec 26, 2018 at 1:53pm

    I had one, in cop blue. Former Detroit police cruiser.

    Long, bland, and not missed at all.

    Tbe best I can say is: … meh.

    Like 0
  13. Ralph
    Dec 26, 2018 at 2:30pm

    I’d daily it, get a set of the police car rims with the “dog dish” caps and a small magnetic antenna for the trunk lid and roll around like a 70’s vintage detective/unmarked car.

    Like 2
    • Miguel
      Dec 27, 2018 at 8:06am

      I don’t think the dog dish caps are necessary. It looks like a detectives car right now with those caps on it.

      Like 1
  14. yes300ed
    Dec 26, 2018 at 2:35pm

    How about an Offy ram manifold and a 4bbl.

    Like 5
    • 63Comet
      Dec 26, 2018 at 5:45pm

      Exactly. Inline 6s are only slow for those who refuse to help them breathe.

      Like 0
  15. Vance
    Dec 26, 2018 at 3:44pm

    Frank Cannon drove Lincoln Continentals, always a two.door, He would then trip the criminal by throwing a piece of lumber and catching their feet and making them fall. He was a trip artist.

    Like 1
  16. lc
    Dec 26, 2018 at 3:58pm

    reminds me of the Odd Couples Dodge in the 1973 episode “The New Car”. A 1973 Dodge Coronet….good times in the USA

    Like 7
  17. David Ulrey
    Dec 26, 2018 at 5:25pm

    I’d never seen one with the slant six. Most seemed to have a 318. Someone above mentioned that if someone used it as a daily they should be slapped. I disagree. I wouldn’t necessarily use it each and every day but I sure wouldn’t have a problem with using it very frequently. Different but I really like it.

    Like 4
  18. Derek
    Dec 26, 2018 at 5:56pm

    “…faster than the speed of light…”

    (B52s)

    Like 1
  19. Kenneth Carney
    Dec 26, 2018 at 11:43pm

    I last saw one 25 years ago. It belonged
    to a friend of mine who used it to deliver
    newspapers with no real trouble at all.
    That old six took a beating and came back for more. Too bad they don’t make
    a car like that these days. 1 Adam 12,
    1 Adam 12, a 211 at the liquor store.
    2915 Lankersham. 2915 Lankersham.
    1 Adam 12 handle code 3!

    Like 2
  20. David Frank David FMember
    Dec 27, 2018 at 10:19am

    Gone. Someone got a great deal!

    Like 1
    • local_sheriff
      Dec 27, 2018 at 11:40am

      Do you know whether it was sold as a complete car? I tried to contact seller via craigslist yesterday but never got a reply, now listing is removed. Truly seemed like a good buy

      Like 1
      • Richard BrownMember
        Dec 29, 2018 at 10:24pm

        Yes, it was sold and will remain as a whole car. I was the one that bought it. It will be used for filming purposes. Hard to find these old “B” bodies for movies.

        Like 1
      • local_sheriff
        Dec 30, 2018 at 1:07pm

        Thanks for saving that Plymouth Richard – utilizing it in a movie is a very sensible way, it’d be a typical background vehicle for a story taking place in the 70s-80s.

        Like 0
  21. PRA4SNW
    Dec 27, 2018 at 10:50am

    Reminds me of our commuting group during the early 80’s. A guy had one just like this with the 318 and it easily fit all 6 of us for the 20 mile drive.

    In my ’73 Barracuda, I could only take a turn when the body count was 5. Also in the group was an early Civic wagon and VW Rabbit.

    This car has the same exact hubcaps that came on my Barracuda.

    Like 0
  22. r s
    Dec 31, 2018 at 8:36am

    My family knew this old oddball type of guy back then, worked in a factory and showed up with a brand new Satellite 4 door. Cheap model, the only thing beyond power steering and brakes it had was AC. “It’s loaded… It’s loaded…” he kept telling everyone. Well, he was happy anyhow even if his brown car looked like a big shoe.

    Like 0

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