Just Add Water: 1971 Plymouth Satellite
According to the seller of this 1971 Plymouth Satellite, “If the car is totally washed it will shine like new”. We’d all like to find cars that easy to restore, so let’s take a look at this bright red Mopar located in Detroit and listed here on eBay with a current bid of $5,000 and no reserve listed.
Enthusiasts seem to be split into two camps regarding the ’71-up B-body redesign. Some appreciate the more modern, aerodynamic lines of the ‘fuselage’ style, whereas others feel it didn’t live up to the classic ’68-’70 look made famous by the original Road Runner and other Mopar muscle of that era. Regardless, unmolested survivors are few and far between today, which makes this an interesting find. Obviously not a fire-breathing Road Runner or GTX, this mild 318-powered Satellite nevertheless still shares its big brother’s lines and overall appearance. The photos in the listing are blurry and low-res, so it’s hard to get a good feel on the overall condition of many areas, but it’s safe to say it’s fairly complete to start with.
The grocery-getter 318 won’t generate a ton of excitement, but from what we can see the engine bay appears complete and the car is well-equipped with power steering, power brakes, and air. The car is said to have run well before it was parked 17 years ago. But the black inner fenders and firewall likely mean the engine was pulled at some point for reasons unknown. Or maybe this was a black car later painted red? No fender tag photos exist to validate if this is an original E5 Rallye Red Satellite.
Inside, the white interior appears original and intact. Again, not much can be gleaned from the photos, but we’ve all certainly seen worse. The seller does note a small tear in the back seat.
Being from Detroit, rust would be a huge concern for potential buyers. There’s no mention of it in the listing specifically, and beyond the visible surface rust on the bumpers, whether that ready-to-be-shined red paint is hiding any cancer would require a closer inspection. But being that this car was born during the last year of the classic muscle car era, and given the relatively abundant availability of parts for ’71 B-bodies, there are quite a few possibilities for this Satellite. Would you want this one to enter your orbit?
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Comments
‘Shine like new if washed’. Is that anything like, ‘ran when parked’? I can’t put too much stock into that statement. As I can plainly see, the bumpers alone need re-chroming. Better check the lower quarters with a magnet; being DeToilet, MI., this could likely be a bondo-bucket!
All it is, is a Satellite with a 318, so interest is probably fairly low. Not my cup of tea, but someone might jump on it.
Will Fox, not impressed with your french…where are you from???
I’ve always liked this model in Sebring Plus form.
The Road Runner version in high impact colors are great to see on the road and real head turners.
I’m with you. Had a ’72 Sebring Plus.
“If car is completely rebuilt it will run like new.”
Zero feedback seller…hmm.
Too bad the photos aren’t a bit better.
I had a 73 Sebring plus back in the 90’s. Super complete rust free running car could hardly give it away. . Took almost 2 year’s to sell it for $2500.
If it was easy as washing it, why didn’t he?????
Because you still wouldn’t buy it!
The engine bay looks like it was in a flood.
Major water damage on this car.
This car looks to be rough. The tell tale sign when the front end is bottoming out after the cross member disintegrates at the torsion bar mount. This my friends is a $1,000 parts car.
I noticed that too Chris.
It looks like the front suspension has collapsed.
I didn’t realize there was a modern electronic device that could capture an image at such low resolution. These are 90s-era digital photos.
I liked this body style, especially in base-model trim. I’d lowball this one just for the fun of it, but lower than $5k.
I bid 2 rusty bumpers, and raise you ummm, nope I’m out
Then why the f___ didn’t he wash it?!
I’ve got a 2016 Scion I/A …it’s not a bad car, just kind of bland. I’ve also got a bad back so I haven’t been moving much, although it is better this week. The car hasn’t been washed in about a month.
“If the car is totally washed it will shine like new”.
I’m thinking the same owner who put the Cragars on it backed off the torsion bar adjusting bolts to drop the nose, added the dual exhaust and gave it the black rattle can engine bay detailing treatment – all typical mid 70’s “go fast” mods. (I was driving my ’67 Coronet with a car full of friends when the passenger side torsion bar mount let go – it’s unusual for them both to go at once, but I guess it could happen).
Always liked this body style – a B5 Blue Sebring Plus with a white half vinyl roof, white interior and Magnum 500’s was my dream car at the time.
Looks like the water has already been added.
Only thing going for it is Hi-impact paint if legit.
No fender tag and I suspect owner has not looked for the build sheet.
No VIN.
NO Thanks. Not worth 5 grand
I’d give you 5000 pennies but sadly here in Canada we no longer have pennies. Oh well. Always loved the front grill on these. Glwts
Faster than the speed 0f light…
Look like the engine was under water….. a flood survivor???
That # 43 car won 21 races in 1971….not many others close….guess it was a good year for this body style.