6.4k Original Miles? 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus
We’ve seen a few low-mileage classics crossing our desks here at Barn Finds in recent times, but this 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus is something of a mystery machine. The owner claims that it has been driven 6,400 miles but doesn’t go as far as to say outright that these are the car’s genuine miles. The exterior condition could support such a claim, but other aspects of the vehicle could call such a claim into question. As we unpack this stunning vehicle, it will be interesting to see what our readers think. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder AMXBrian for referring this magnificent machine to us. It is located in Mattituck, New York, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set a sale price of $19,999 for this classic.
The initial impression this Sebring makes is pretty positive. Its Amber Sherwood paint shines beautifully, with no evidence of flaws or defects. This paint has been laid over panels that are laser straight. There are no dings or bruises and no evidence of Bondo in the supplied photos. The owner doesn’t mention any rust problems, and there’s no evidence of trouble that I can spot. The exterior trim is in excellent order, as is the glass. The owner recently added Cragar SS wheels and new tires, but I guess the buyer could swap these if they desire a more factory appearance. That leads us seamlessly to the question of originality. I believe that this Plymouth may have been the recent recipient of at least a partial repaint. The paint shines like glass, but the missing lock barrel on the passenger side and the hole in the front fender where the radio antenna should be, suggest that something has happened on this front. Further adding to the evidence are signs of overspray in a couple of locations under the hood. There’s is also plenty of dribbled polish in that location where someone has buffed the paint but hasn’t cleaned up any residue from their work. However, none of this makes it a bad car. It does make it one that is probably worthy of an in-person inspection.
The owner has spent some money on this Plymouth in recent times, and one area to benefit has been the interior. He recently installed new seatcovers, carpet, and a headliner. The remaining upholstered surfaces look good, with no glaring flaws or issues. There are a few aspects that the buyer may need to consider if they are seeking perfection. The dash pad is cracked, so they may need to spend $240 on a replacement. The faux woodgrain on the wheel has lifted, but this may be a case of a spot of glue will put this right. The radio is missing, and the woodgrain on the gauge bezel looks like it might be showing its age. An in-person inspection would confirm this, but if it is the case, I had no trouble finding a replacement for $310. Otherwise, the interior needs nothing. The original owner ordered the car with air conditioning, and while the system is complete, the seller indicates that it needs a recharge.
The original owner equipped this Sebring nicely, and the buyer is set to benefit. This classic features a 318ci V8 that should be producing 150hp. The rest of the drivetrain includes a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. While emission regulations had begun to bite deep into performance in 1972, this classic should still be capable of romping through the ¼ mile in 17.9 seconds. The owner may have spent some money on the vehicle’s interior, but he has spent more on the engine. He indicates that he has treated it to a refresh, while he also slotted in new front discs, calipers, pads, and brake lines. Add a carburetor, ignition system, and suspension bushes to the equation, and it’s easy to believe his claim that it runs and drives well. Returning to an earlier theme, you can clearly see the dribbled buffing compound mentioned earlier, along with evidence of overspray around the hood close. There is also more accumulated grease and dirt than I might expect to find in the engine bay of a car with 6,400 genuine miles on the clock. That leaves me torn with this classic and raises a few doubts in my mind.
There’s no arguing that the exterior presentation of this 1972 Satellite Sebring Plus is superb. In its current state, it will almost certainly turn heads wherever it goes. If taken at face value, the odometer reading could be genuine. However, I’m not entirely convinced that this is the case. I will be interested in reading your feedback and seeing if any of our readers like what they see enough to pursue this one further.
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Comments
I may be WAY off base here, but IIRC, at least on 1969’s, it was quite easy to disconnect the speedometer cable from the transmission.
This may be the reason the engine compartment is so dirty.
Wish it had the console shift and a 440
And it would be close to perfect with a black interior
To me, black interiors are dark and ‘confining’. It’s like living in a cave. I’ve had a number of cars w/black interiors, but given a choice, it’s last one I would choose. Today, there’s not a lot of choice.
I could be mistaken, but I don’t think so…(IMO) there’s no way a 6,400 mile car would display an engine compartment as grimy as this. The front grille is either missing (difficult to see in the photo) or has been repainted, as it is was argent colored from the factory. This car is also missing the “Satellite Sebring Plus” emblems which would be mounted on the quarter panel, just to the rear of the doors. The rear tailpipe of the exhaust system has also been replaced, as it is NOT OEM. Aside from these quibbles, it appears to be a nice car…the green ’72 that I drove differed in that it had the silver argent paint beneath the side chrome trim. GLWTS!! :-)
If it was a bucket seat , column shift car I believe it should have had a buddy seat.
If this is a 64 thousand mile car, someone took away the 1 in front of the 64. I’ve seen DIRT TRACK RACE CARS with cleaner engines. Oh and I guess the belts were removed from the A/C for that 5 extra horse power. Tires don’t even match. It’s A NO CAR, Before Mopar for me.
The transmission cooler looks like it has caught more like106400 miles worth of bugs rather than 6400. The car presents well other than the mileage claim.
I don’t think this is a Sebring Plus. Fender tag, please. 106,400 miles. Paint job. Way too many questions here. Run, don’t walk.
I’m a sucker for green over green. But the seller will be lucky to get his kind of green.
Satellite Sebring Plus was a way to get Road Runner performance and GTX trim levels without the insurance company premiums. I don’t recall the 360 being available in the B-bodies but the 340, 400, and 440 were available in RR/GTX packages. I believe that this car should have at least a 400, not a 318, but I could be wrong. I remember a 1971 Sebring Plus that had a 300 horse Road Runner 383. As others have mentioned the car is missing a lot of unique trim pieces and the engine compartment is way too filthy for the stated mileage, unless it was being towed behind a Winnebago.
Beyond the obvious flaws, if it’s not plagued by rust the body would make a good starting point for a RR/GTX clone.
Standard engine in the Plus was the 318, according to 1972 brochure. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Plymouth/1972%20Plymouth/1972%20Plymouth%20Satellite%20Brochure/b_1972%20Plymouth%20Satellite-04-05.jpg
Agreed, Back in the day I had a ’73 Sebring Plus, 400 console car with the slap stick transmission. Fun car to drive and one of many I wish I hadn’t let go.
Me too, Mark. This is no Sebring Plus to me!
I picked up the same green 1973 version of this car in the late 1990’s in Parker, AZ. It looked like someone had just shut it off one day and never drove it again. All original with about 90,000 miles, no damage, nothing missing, zero rust, and I couldn’t give it away. After having it for sale for 2 years it finally went away for $2500. Very decent car that just no one seemed to want.
Well, it is almost 50 years old and in need of a good detailing, which I would have done before posting it for sale. That said, 20k for a 318 Satellite imho is a bit north of where it should be
Just closely read the craigslist ad and no where does he claim the mileage is only 6400. He states it has been driven 6400 miles. Misleading yes, lying no. But its a good looking car though. No shots of the underside of it.
Maybe driven 6400 miles since the work was put into it? Who knows, but I LOVE this car.
Same color scheme as my first car – ’73 Barracuda – so still have an affinity for that green / green look. Mine also had a green vinyl top.
Someone please tell me where the “Plus” is in this car, or even the Sebring?
Red hoses. PASS! :) :) :)
Decode the VIN and ask the seller more questions. What they don’t tell you sometimes says more than the car reveals. Being brutally honest about a car’s condition and history upfront will sell it just not for the money wanted.
Every unrestored 72 Sebring Plus I’ve ever seen including the two I’ve owned are painted silver below the side molding and have vinyl tops which leads me to believe it’s not a PLUS or they eliminated the vinyl top when they repainted it. No door or window weatherstripping, no grille, emblems, antenna, door lock and a dirty engine compartment. I love this 106,400mile car and knowing what body work and paint cost these days I don’t think the price is far off but the little details mentioned above I think will make it hard to get what they’re asking.
My ’72 SSP did not have a vinyl hat.
More like 106,000 miles. Nothing in the presentation supports the claim
Plus was the 150 round instrument cluster. Everything else was optioned; light package, engine choice, gearing probably 2:71 gears in this, etc