1966 Plymouth Satellite

Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

RP23F67294087

Clear

Gasoline

1966 Plymouth Satellite – My Parents’ Car Background: This car was purchased by my father on June 11, 1966 from Davis Motor Sales in Atwood, Illinois. The Satellite was my mother’s car from 1966 until my parents bought a new 1985 K-Car. The car has been garaged all of its days. From 1985 until about 2003 the Satellite was driven only to car shows. My mother died in 2005 and more recently my father died, 2008. There are 5 children in our family. None of us has the storage or resources to keep this fine car. One of my brothers has 2 1957 Cameo Carrier Pick-ups and I have a 1956 Nomad. We both love Chevrolets but our father was a Mopar man. Photos: More photos can be found at: http://charlesforce.home.comcast.net Click on 1966 Plymouth to see pictures in a scroll. To see photos that can be enlarged – go to the Photo link. Details: Engine: 361 Commando V-8, 2-barrel carburetor Transmission: TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic Mileage: 86,700 Accessories: Bucket seats, tinted windows, remote control driver side outside rearview mirror, padded visors, retractable seat belts – front & rear, padded dash, leather interior Recent repairs: (5-13-2005) – Replaced all wheel cylinders, brake cable, brake hoses, spark plugs, coolant hose (11/20/07) --Carburetor rebuilt (10/10/08) -- adjust transmission linkage, repair choke & linkage, repair distributor, spark plug wires, replace starter and anti-seize flywheel (10/27/11) -- New Fuel Pump and Fuel Pump Push Rod Stories: To fully appreciate this car you need to listen to the stories behind it. Most are common place occurrences but I believe they represent the care and love given this car. My First Car: I turned 16 in 1966. Although I did my practice driving in our 1961 Plymouth Fury, this is the car I was allowed to occasionally borrow to run around with the guys or go on a date. I recall the night 4 of us guys were out seeing how well the Satellite ran. I took off from a stop sign in the country and decided to see how fast the headlights in my rearview mirror would disappear. Amazingly even when I was going 108 the lights stayed close. Then the lights became flashing red. I got one of the two tickets I have received in my life. My brother told of getting the car up to 120. And my sister reached 100 on an inner city new 4 lane stretch. These were rare uses of the car. My mother was the typical careful driver. A Theory on the Engine Choice: I asked my brother the major problem with the car and he mentioned the engine, not that it doesn’t run great. It is smooth and powerful. But it is a weird 361 Cubic Inch engine. Now of course if it were a 426 Hemi – I wouldn’t be talking to you now. But recall this was the car purchased for my mother. She would likely have been happy with a slant 6. But my dad was able to get a V8…and maybe even a little bit better. Surely he could not convince my mother to have a 383 which required premium gas. So the 361 helped satisfy his machoness and still pleased my mother. My father was 47 at the time he purchased the car. So I believe he also was able to meet a little mid-life crisis trauma by getting a sporty two-door model. All other family cars that were purchased were four-door or even station wagons. Turtles Concert: In 1968, believe it or not my girlfriend, wife-to-be, and I went to a Turtles Concert at a local High School. When we came out to see the beautiful, impressive Satellite the gas cap was missing. I noticed many other cars also had their gas caps pilfered. I spent many years trying to track down a replacement. My dad was content with a locking gas cap but I wanted to restore it to original. I believe I found one and gave it to my father but it has not been painted. It is with the spare parts that accompany the car. Wrecks: The car traded in for the ’61 Plymouth Fury that was traded in on the ’66 Plymouth Satellite was a 1957 Chevrolet yellow 4-door sedan. My mother was involved in 2 accidents in the Chevy – neither her fault – but she swore she believed the car attracted idiot drivers. The only accident the Satellite was in occurred as my mother sat waiting to turn left into an elementary school to pick up my nephew. Another idiot driver hit her from behind. The damage resulted in a new bumper and trunk lid. Paint Touchup: After the Satellite was retired from active duty in 1985 my father joined my brothers and me in car shows. I remember one outing to the Indianapolis Speedway for Swap Meet/ Car Show. My next oldest brother drove his 1967 Camaro, my next older brother his 1957 Cameo. I drove my 1956 Nomad. The Satellite won an award as well as both of my brothers. My father wanted the car to look the best possible so he did have some painting done. The reason I remember this is because he told the body man to replace the Chrysler emblem (pentagon) on the right front fender exactly as it came from the factory, UPSIDE DOWN!!!! My father was proud of that detail. Original Putty: Another detail my father insisted on keeping was this ugly putty stuck in the corners of the inner fenders near the firewall. I didn’t always agree with some of my father’s ideas – but the putty remains. Defects: Although one of my brothers told me not to describe every defect on the car – I want everyone to know what they are buying. I would consider all of the defects minor. All could be ignored or repaired easily. We could have done many of the repairs but my feeling is that a new owner, one that has a sentimental attachment, will enjoy fixing these items and establish a true ownership feeling. 1. Gas Cap: As mentioned before the original gas cap was stolen. I do have an unpainted used gas cap that I believe to be original. 2. Chipped Paint: I counted 7 match head sized chips on the exterior of the car. Again – my bother can touch them up if desired – but the new owner may enjoy that. Some peeling is occurring in the door jams, on the inner fenders, under the hood and on the trunk latch (The underside of the trunk is perfect). The door hinges and corner of the door have a little surface rust. Another job that can be handled as a hobby with little expense. I recently repainted the firewall on my Nomad. I am far from a body man – but with advice from my brother and taking my time – I am pleased with the result. 3. Weather Stripping: On the rear window passenger side the weather stripping is torn. An item that is readily available. 4. Trim: The trim on the bottom of the driver’s side sticks out a little. My brother and I agree that the clip may be damaged and is not holding it in. (9 out of 10 people would not notice the gap but I did.) The upper molding on the driver’s side rear has a small dent. 5. Emblems: I believe all the emblems are original. So after 45 years they are not pristine. The paint on the trunk Satellite emblem is missing some of the red. I assume reproductions or even new ones may be found. A little touch-up paint would do wonders. 6. Windshield Washer Container: This container is total trash. It is the second one my dad got. The material they are made from rots. The search and replacement of parts like this is what I like best about old cars. The thrill of the hunt. Enjoy. 7. Console Alignment: I spent a couple of hours working on the alignment of the console door. The problem is the spring too strong and the hinge is too weak. I tried various washers and screws. I am sure the right engineer will find a solution to this one. 8. Interior: I believe they call the interior ‘vinyl’ although it looks like leather. It even has strips of leather working in the seats. I always thought it gave cowboy saddle look. I am sure it helped sell it to my dad. I know my dad had a seam in the driver’s seat reworked. Otherwise the only item of concern is the panel on the door-side edge of the seat. The original carpet is incredible, always under mats. My mother was a clean freak. 9. Slightest dent: Another defect that would be overlooked by 90% of observers is a small dent near the left rear of the hood. 10. Trunk light: If you look closely at the picture of the full trunk you will notice the trunk light is missing. I know my father had a little trouble with it. He wanted to get a replacement but never did. Another part to be sought after. 11. Stiff Window on Driver’s Door: Not something that can be pictured – when cranking the window it is just a little stiff. Maybe some lubrication needed. I would be happy to take more detailed pictures of any of the above defects or if you have a location you would like photographed – let me know. Photos: More photos can be found at: http://charlesforce.home.comcast.net Click on 1966 Plymouth to see pictures in a scroll. To see photos that can be enlarged – go to the Photo link. What I Would Do If I Owned This Car: I would love to keep the car. But…. Like so many car nuts I have more than I need now. I have my Nomad. It needs more attention than I can give it. I am also the keeper of my daughter’s ’89 Camaro Convertible. She lives in Chicago. She would love to have the Satellite. I came close to making an agreement with my cousin that would allow the option for my daughter to purchase the car when he was ready to sell or if it became part of his estate. I would ask that the buyer keep me informed if he wishes to sell. My daughter may not be in a situation to have the luxury of owning a car of this nature for many many years. Here is what I would do if I owned the car: 1. Deep clean the engine compartment: It looks good and original but some cleaning and detailing would make it pop. Valve covers need some paint. A good job for a new owner. I have my own car to work on! 2. Touch up Paint: Another little project that will make a difference. I am imagining someone will buy the car to use not put away in a garage. Life will cause a few dings. 3. Weather Stripping: Not sure much needs replacing other than the passenger’s side rear window. 4. Emblems: I would enjoy traveling to swap meets and surfing the web looking for NOS or reproduction emblems. I only noticed one that definitely needs attention. 5. Windshield Washer Container: Ditto on the search. 6. Raise the Body: This is my personal preference. But I love the look of a raised body – the stance looks strong to me. I was told there are adjustments that can be made to the front end to raise it – just by turning some mechanism. The rear could be raised by adding an additional spring or air shocks. Hey – that’s just my likes. 7. Gas Cap: I would get the original gas cap painted to match the car and put it on when I drove the car or had it at car shows. I would keep the locking cap on when it sat. 8. Black Wall Tires: I disagreed with my father on this. I like the wide-white wall tires on my Nomad when I am not running my Cragars. But they were original. The original tires on the Satellite were all black. I suppose I would just turn the tires around that are on it – they are pretty new, well don’t have many miles anyway, and are radials that give a nice ride. 9. DRIVE IT!: Finally I would enjoy the car. It will show well anywhere and draw lots of attention. I have driven it the last few days and I forget why people stare and give me the thumbs up. The car does ride nicely, more like a big luxury car rather than mid-sized car. It takes the railroad tracks more smoothly than any of my newer vehicles. The power steering makes it turn smoothly. The engine is responsive and although it doesn’t have a four-barrel carburetor it has plenty of power. As executor of my father’s estate I feel I must liquidate this one last item. I don’t have the storage or the time to devote to this car. As you can tell I am emotionally attached to the car but it is time to find a new owner, one that I hope can appreciate the history of the car and create more memories for many years to come. After all the reflections I have done – it makes it hard to give up the car but I will. I have the original title and the original invoice that will go with the car as well as some spare parts. I am willing to drive the Satellite to anyplace in the St. Louis, Chicago or Indianapolis areas. Please contact me if you have any questions. Photos: More photos can be found at: http://charlesforce.home.comcast.net Click on 1966 Plymouth to see pictures in a scroll. To see photos that can be enlarged – go to the Photo link. Contact: Chuck Force, 217-423-3832 charlesforce@comcast.net On Oct-31-11 at 20:46:19 PDT, seller added the following information: See the new uploaded pictures at: http://charlesforce.home.comcast.net Click on 1966 Plymouth Undercarriage to see pictures in a scroll. To see photos that can be enlarged – go to the Photo link.