1973 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus Hardtop
For consignment, a 1973 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus hardtop with a numbers matching drivetrain and a title verified 26,885 actual miles. The 400ci V8 was an option in 1973 and could be had with single exhaust or dual exhaust as a secondary option. This car checked the box and has the 400 with dual exhaust. Whether that negates Plymouth's desire for this car to be quiet, we'll soon find out!
Exterior
We've said it before, green and other earth tones were popular in this era, and this time capsule is coated with single stage Forest Green Metallic paint and another box was checked for the optional white vinyl top. The headlight bezels are broad and make the lights appear bigger as they flank an egg crate grille over a chrome bumper with, yep, optional bumper guards in fantastic condition. Thanks to the detailed brochure they put out in '73, we see that the side mirrors were referred to as racing mirrors and could be painted or, as in this case chrome. The rear bumper, also with bumper guards, is also the latch panel and three sectioned taillights are embedded on each side. Standard on the Sebring Plus would have been wheel covers, but our esteemed first buyer smartly picked 15-inch Mopar Rally wheels, or they could have been added later. Either way, they look great with their deep, polished rims. This car has been well preserved and as such, we could not find any glaring exterior flaws.
Interior
Green vinyl and plastic with a broad swath of imitation woodgrain trim on the doors screams early 70's and just gives warm fuzzies to those of us who grew up then. The front seats feature green cloth inserts in a green vinyl base and are technically a split bench, but the seat tops are split wide and are configured like a high back bucket with center armrest, quite unique! Like the fronts, the back bench looks pristine and borrows materials from the front, along with woodgrain trim on walls and faux stitched design. The simple steering wheel hints of the Dodge 3 point logo with, also called a Fratzog, a name Dodge invented, and in this case, made of faux woodgrain. The gauge cluster is surrounded by sculpted and textured brown plastic which also contrasts with the green dash and keeps with the color palette for the interior. Simple gauges and an AM radio are in place, along with vent and heat controls as the A/C option was not selected. An aftermarket tachometer has been added and mounted below the dash as an optional clock takes up the second large circle on the dash. Plush green carpet is lovely and protected by loop style carpeted mats, in a lighter shade of green, and absorbing any wear the 26,000 miles may have brought. The headliner and visors are minty mint.
Drivetrain
Somewhat more driver quality, under the hood is the numbers matching 400ci V8, fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor. Behind it is a numbers matching A727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission. According to the brochure, a 3-speed column-mounted manual would have been standard, and the TorqueFlite was an option. This one was assembled on February 28, 1973. Power is transferred to the 8.25" rear with 2.71 gears and SureGrip. Power disc brakes in front were selected, and power drums are in the back.
Undercarriage
There's some patina on this clean underside and some typical surface rust. There's a thin coating of residual oil on the oil and transmission pans and some oil drift from the front U-joint area has accumulated on the dual exhaust and created a harmless linear stain. The dual exhaust continues to a pair of FlowMaster mufflers before exiting through big, slightly beveled tailpipes. Torsion bar suspension is up front and leaf springs are mounted out back to provide the ride.
Drive-Ability
Our consignor calls it a "drive anywhere car" and we're tempted to take this through the lands of Morgantown, but we'll have to settle for our little test loop. There is certainly a rumble from the V8 and dual exhaust but with the windows up, some of that sound is cancelled out. Meanwhile, the car has good acceleration, a smooth ride thanks in part to 75 series tires, and decent handling and stopping capabilities. We note the horn is not working, the high beam switch is stuck, and that optional clock is not functional. All other items worked as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
No awards were listed on the consignor's paperwork but it's hard to believe this car would not place very high in survivor and preservation classes at most shows and ALL Mopar shows. (Disclaimer: that's not a statement of guarantee!). It's almost showroom fresh, and suddenly my box of 1973 baseball cards seemed insignificant the minute this nearly pristine remnant entered our domain. A numbers matching, well optioned, green on green gem from 1973. Less reading...more dialing! 888-227-0914
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
