1967 Plymouth Satellite

When the Plymouth Satellite was introduced in the 1965 model year, it served as the Plymouth 'B' platform Belvedere top-of-the-line trim model offered as a convertible or a two-door hardtop. It remained the top model until 1967 when it was dethroned by the GTX, moving down a position in the Plymouth hierarchy.

The 1967 Plymouth lineup included the entry-level Valiant and Valient Signet wearing all-new bodies and styling. The Barracuda was no longer associated with the Valiant line, becoming a separate model available as a convertible, fastback coupe called the Sports Barracuda), or hardtop coupe. The Belvedere, Satellite, and GTX were intermediate-sized vehicles within the Plymouth lineup, resting below the full-size Fury and VIP models.

Both the Satellite and GTX were offered as hardtop coupes or convertibles, while the Belvedere was offered as a hardtop coupe, convertible, sedan, and 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. Trim levels of the Belvedere included the base (offered only as a station wagon), Belvedere I (two-door sedan, sedan, and 6-passenger wagon), and the Belvedere II (coupe, convertible, sedan, and wagon). The Belvedere wagon was priced at $2,580, and the Belvedere I ranged from $2,320 to $2,650 for the six-cylinder versions. The base eight-cylinder version added approximately $100. Prices on the Belevedere II ranged from $2,440 to $2,840; the Satellite listed for $2,745 for the hardtop coupe and the convertible sold for $3,000; and the GTX was priced at nearly $3,200 for the coupe and $3,400 for the convertible. A total of 30,328 examples of the coupe (Satellite and GTX) and 2,050 of the convertible (Satellite and GTX).

The Valiante and Barracuda rested on a 108-inch wheelbase, the Belvedere passenger cars measured 116-inches (station wagons were 117-inches), and the Fury passenger cars were 119-inches.

The styling of the intermediate-bodied 1967 Plymouths was similar to the previous year with mild updating including the relocation of the parking lamps into the bumpers, a horizontal grille with blades that were thinner and flanked by dual side-by-side headlights with small grille extensions in between.

Standard equipment on the Belvedere I trim level included seat belts, dual brake system, emergency flashers, dual outside rearview mirrors, energy-absorbing steering column, cigar lighter, padded dash, armrests, back-up lights, and two-speed wipers with washers. Belvedere II added Belvedere II nameplates, front foam seats, full-length body side moldings, wraparound taillights, carpeting, parking brake warning lamp, and trim molding around the wheel openings.

The station wagons had a power tailgate window, two dome lamps, all-vinyl seats, wall-to-wall carpeting, and rear bumper step. Convertible body styles had glass rear windows.

Buyers who ordered the Satellite received bucket seats in the front with a console or optional center armrest seat, deluxe wheel covers, upper body accent stripe, courtesy lights, glovebox light, fender top turn signals, and aluma-plate full-length lower body trim panels.

The GTX models had a heavy-duty three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, upgraded brakes and suspension, dual hood scoops, Red Streak tires, a standard 440 cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, a 'Pit-Stop' gas cap, and dual-sport stripes.

The standard six-cylinder engine, except for the Valiant 100, was an overhead-valve inline-6 with 225 cubic-inch displacement, an 8.4:1 compression, Carter one-barrel carburetor, four main bearings, solid valve lifters, and delivered 145 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The base V8 had overhead valves, a 273 CID displacement, five main bearings, solid valve lifters, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 180 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. The Commando 273 had a four-barrel carburetor and 235 horsepower at 5,200 RPM. The 440 CID V8 in the GTX produced 375 horsepower.

A three-speed manual transmission was standard, with a four-speed manual with floor shift controls as optional on all but the GTX or cars equipped with the six or 273 and 318 CID V8s. A TorqeuFlite automatic was also optional equipment. Among the many performance options available was the 'Street Hemi' 426 cubic-inch V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors and 425 hp, a heavy-duty battery, heavy-duty alternator, heavy-duty Sure-Grip axle, Sure-Grip positive traction rear axle, various gear axles, power brakes, and power steering.

The Satellite and other intermediates were completely restyled for 1968, along with a 'Sport Satellite' backed by a standard 318 V8 resting above the standard Satellite. It received a few styling features similar to the Road Runner while the regular Satellite shared features with the Belvederes. A four-door sedan and station wagon joined the Satellite line for the first time.

Plymouth would continue to offer the Satellite through 1974.

by Dan Vaughan

Introduced in 1965 as the top model in Plymouth's mid-size Belvedere line, the Plymouth Satellite used Chrysler's mid-size B platform.

The Satellite was available with the newly optional 'Street Hemi' engine in 1966. This engine came to compete with the two 4-barrel carburetors and 10.25:1 compression. This body style remained for the following year with only minor trim changes.

All mid-sized Plymouths carried the Satellite name from 1971 to 1974. Hardtop coupe models had the 'Sebring' suffix.

The Satellite name disappeared when the Fury name was given to Plymouth's mid-size models for 1975.

In 1965 a larger more updated Plymouth Fury was presented to the public on Chrysler's full-size C platform. The Plymouth Belvedere title was switched to Plymouth's mid-size line, really a continuation of the full-size 1962 to 1964 models. The top trim model of the series with the Belvedere Satellite, available as a two-door hardtop or convertible with bucket seats.

Similar to the Fury, the simple front end carried a single headlight on each side and had a grille that was divided into 4 thin rectangles laid horizontally.

1968 brought a higher trim Sport Satellite model at the same time the Belvedere name was downgraded to low-trim base models. Continuing on this body, only minor rear and front restyling was done in 1970. The Belvedere discontinued this year.

The Satellite adopted a new 'fuselage' styled body that had different wheelbases, sheet metal for two and four-door models as significant updating and restyling was accomplished for the 1971 model.

Two-door models, base coupe with non-roll-down rear windows were called Satellite. In 1973 the two-door models received a conventional front end, along with squared up sheet metal and rear side windows.

Satellite Sebring, Satellite Sebring Plus came in base, Custom or wood-trimmed Regent models, and Sedans were available in base, Custom and Brougham trim. 1974 Sedans and wagon models had large 5mph bumpers.

The Satellite continued on steadfast until 1974 where the nameplate was retired.

by Jessican Donaldson