1966 Plymouth Satellite
Plymouth was a make that the Chrysler Corporation established as a lower-end brand in 1928 to attract customers who could not afford the more expensive Chryslers. This worked for a very long time--at least until 1973, when Plymouth was at its peak. Indeed, one of the cars that turned heads for the company was the 1966 Plymouth Satellite, the make's flagship model.
Perhaps the most significant and best-remembered change that Plymouth made from the 1965 model year was its 426 V8 Street Hemi engine option, priced at $1,000. This engine, although it was rated at 425 horsepower, the Fans of Muscle Cars website reports that the engine's actual horsepower was closer to 550. The car was capable of going from 0-60 miles per hour in 5.3 seconds, and of carrying its driver a quarter of a mile in 13.8 seconds, making it among the swiftest cars Plymouth ever made.
Other Engine/Transmission Options
The 1966 Plymouth Satellite was a versatile car. It came with a variety of engine options, besides the 426 V8 Street Hemi. You could select a 273 V8, which had 230 horsepower; a 230 horsepower 318 V8; a 265 horsepower 361 V8; and a 325 horsepower 383 V8.
As for the transmissions, the customer had a choice of a 3 or 4-speed manual--or, if the idea of using a stick shift was not attractive, he could select a 3-speed automatic transmission.
Standard Options for 1966
The 1966 Plymouth Satellite came with a number of standard options, including air conditioning; power windows, steering and brakes; a clock on the dashboard; tinted windows, bumper guards, wheel covers, and an AM/FM radio.
The versatility of the Satellite was also evinced in the amount of colors available, particularly when it came to the car's exterior. There were 17 options, including: silver metallic; black; light blue metallic, dark green metallic; yellow; beige; and bronze metallic, to name a few. The interior colors, however, were more limited, with only six from which to choose: medium turquoise, medium tan; medium blue; light or dark gold; and tan.
If you were to choose the two door hardtop coupe, you would drive off the lot with a Plymouth Satellite that was 3255 pounds; if you opted for a convertible, you would have a car that was slightly heavier at 3,320 pounds, according to the Muscle Car Fans website. For both models, you would possess a 116-inch wheelbase with which to work.
The convertible not weighed more physically than its hardtop counterpart, but was also heavier on the wallet as well. For a hardtop, if you were buying in 1966, you would have paid $2,695. If you selected a convertible, the price would be $2910. If you wanted the Street Hemi, you would have had to dig out an extra $1,000. It is little wonder, then, that $35,399 orders were filled for hardtops, and a mere 2,860 convertibles were produced.
If you were buying the same car today, you would have to spend a base amount of $6,975 if you wanted a hardtop, and $8,800 if you were to purchase a convertible. The average value of a 1966 Plymouth Satellite today would be about $20,000 for a regular hardtop, while a convertible would sell for about $27,840, if the seller was offering the car at the price based on its true value.
This car is anything but boring. If I were looking for my first car in 1966, I would definitely consider the Plymouth Satellite. Its racing car quality would definitely have attracted me to at least test drive this vehicle. I would be particularly impressed by how the car could go from 0 to 60 rapidly, and how the wheels were off the ground. Indeed, when I picture myself driving the car, in my mind I can hear the explosive motor preparing to run. Also, the fact that I would have many engines and transmissions from which to choose would also make buying and owning the car a pleasurable experience. For if I didn't quite have the money for a Street Hemi, or wanted an automatic transition rather than a stick-shift, I could pick the less expensive and easier to drive (automatic,at least for me) options. Also, the idea of having many colors from which to choose--at least on the exterior--would have made this particular car attractive for me, if I were shopping for that type of vehicle.
Now what would you think about owning a 1966 Plymouth Satellite--a true racing car with definite value because of its historical, and therefore nostalgic significance? Here is a car that could make you feel young again, and yield you much money should you ever decide to sell it.
1966 Plymouth Satellite Pictures
1966 Plymouth Satellite for Sale
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