• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Factory Original or Restomod...?

Matthew Neville

New Member
Local time
10:28 AM
Joined
Mar 13, 2020
Messages
2
Reaction score
7
Location
Missouri
Recently picked up a 68 Sport Satellite to build with my daughter. It's a 318 2bbl with the 3-speed automatic, Avocado Green with black vinyl top, factory AC, PS/PB, 2-tone green interior with front buckets. All numbers and intact fender tag. One of 12,000+ that year.

We're trying to decide what direction to go. From a value perspective, do we stick with factory configuration? Do we build what we want and go restomod - change colors, build the engine, disc brakes, etc.? It's not a rare car by any stretch, not even a very desirable one. If she was a 383 car with a 4-sp manual, or a GTX or RR this wouldn't even be a discussion.

What would you do with her?
 
Build it the way you and your daughter want and have fun doing it.
 
Have fun with it. Honest opinion, you will have way more money in it than it ever will be worth if thinking about value.
 
My first recommendation has always been, do what YOU like. That being said, you underestimate the value of your car. Maybe not monetarily, but the interest value. Yeah, I'm the number one road runner fan, but I'll stop and admire a Sport Satellite each and every time. My opinion, it is an underrated classic. Remember, it's basically a GTX with a small block. From your description, it sounds like a beauty.
 
on the piratical side go with reliability, electronic ignition maybe even fuel injection. is it going to be a trailer queen or are you going to drive it? I went thru this making this descision a while back and came to the conclusion I want to enjoy the car, drive it, let the other half drive it and not be afraid the points go out.
just my 2 cents
 
Have fun with whatever you do - very cool that you're getting into it with your daughter. Our '64 Belvedere started the same way - father/daughter project.

In my opinion, whichever route you go, leave it badged as a Sport Satellite. Go to some car shows and you won't see many - if any. It's cool to see one when you do. You can even educate a lot of non-Mopar folks on what it is, since many have never heard of it. Warning: You'll get a lot of people wanting you to honk the horn. I ran into that a lot with my '70 GTX. The uninformed think they all have RR beep beep horns.
 
Last edited:
The end value of building a car with your Daughter will always make it worth more than whatever you decide to do :thumbsup:
 
Recently picked up a 68 Sport Satellite to build with my daughter. It's a 318 2bbl with the 3-speed automatic, Avocado Green with black vinyl top, factory AC, PS/PB, 2-tone green interior with front buckets. All numbers and intact fender tag. One of 12,000+ that year.

We're trying to decide what direction to go. From a value perspective, do we stick with factory configuration? Do we build what we want and go restomod - change colors, build the engine, disc brakes, etc.? It's not a rare car by any stretch, not even a very desirable one. If she was a 383 car with a 4-sp manual, or a GTX or RR this wouldn't even be a discussion.

What would you do with her?
In the REAL world NOTHING ever Remained "STOCK" NOTHING!!!!!!!! The engineers designed them that way!!!! Why do you think you could by anything you needed from Ma Mopar Parts. If it will be HER car, I say it should be HER decision. Based on how it will be used. That to me is the way. Daily driver fuel economy must be part of it. That to me means something you can live with, whether it gets 20mpg or 10. Most stuff you see from "value perspective" Is T.V. and magazine cars that sit somewhere under lock and key. Not what people drive and enjoy. You have to enjoy the car or truck the way you want. DO NOT BUILD IT TO SELL IT, BUILD IT TO LOVE/ENJOY IT!!!! Ours goes to car shows, driven on the street, even took it to grocery store for shopping. ( Did change the fuel cell vent a bit after that trip though). At the car shows Rebecca and I look at other cars, but our main focus is the kids. We hear parents telling them: do get to close, don't touch, etc. The owners with their eagle eyes watching! Picture a 6ft guy and his wife, both in PINK shirts walking up to little kids, especially 15 and under, and in a gruff voice the conversation goes like this: Looking them in the eye, after winking to parents, Are you a car guy/gal ? Well there's a guy looks just like me-dressed like me, sitting next to a pink car. When you get there you make sure you tell him "I SAID YOU CAN GET IN THAT CAR", it's got "Monkey Bars in it"!!! the best part is when they eventually get to the car. With a timid look, they tell their story. Well if he said you can go ahead!!! Well one 9 year old young lady had so much fun she actually got it out of park, and it started to roll. Parents VERY NERVOUS. I got up out of a chair put it in park. Told the young Lady " now you did it"! "Now we have to put it back in line".It only moved about 3 feet. So I asked are you ready? looked at the parents and winked. Fired it up. 700 HP, 1050 Dominator - no choke - So have to maintain a 2500RPM idle for a minute or so, and the delta 40's and down spouts singing. The SMILE WAS SO BIG!!!! THAT"S WHAT CARS ARE FOR. Attach is a picture of one of our "guests" do not know who he is but it made the newspaper. And I got a print. That's what cars are for!!

Car show visitor (3).JPG
 
Last edited:
Your already doing it wrong if your asking the whole world how to build it. This you have to figure out for your selves.
 
Forget about the resale value and desirability. Make it yours (hers) and enjoy. In the end (if anyone sells it) it will be a nice car and will attract a good price anyway.
 
I'll go out and say what I learned from my 68 Charger....

Keep it a sport satellite, nothing wrong with a 318, definitely upgrade to disc brakes, change the color scheme if you'd like.

My 68 Started as a 318 / auto / 2.76 geared car... was fun to drive all over when I was in high school and then I started tinkering on it. The more I tinkered the less I drove it... I used to want to modify everything and go fast and be loud - now I'm in my early 30s and my taste has done a 180 - give me something reliable, docile, and is comfortable... my old 318 set up was all of that.

ultimately it is up to you and your daughter -
 
Recently picked up a 68 Sport Satellite to build with my daughter. It's a 318 2bbl with the 3-speed automatic, Avocado Green with black vinyl top, factory AC, PS/PB, 2-tone green interior with front buckets. All numbers and intact fender tag. One of 12,000+ that year.

We're trying to decide what direction to go. From a value perspective, do we stick with factory configuration? Do we build what we want and go restomod - change colors, build the engine, disc brakes, etc.? It's not a rare car by any stretch, not even a very desirable one. If she was a 383 car with a 4-sp manual, or a GTX or RR this wouldn't even be a discussion.

What would you do with her?

Pictures?

I like the '68 Sport Satellites a lot. I wouldn't change anything except upgrade the brakes; and install new seat belts. Discuss everything with your daughter and do what she likes. She can thank you for the brake upgrade without knowing what she is missing.
 
The end value of building a car with your Daughter will always make it worth more than whatever you decide to do :thumbsup:

Yup. Did the same thing with my daughter's 69 Charger RT. We worked on most everything as a team, though she made all the decisions. Now we park together at shows and folks nearly always ask me about the Charger. I just point at #1 daughter and she takes it from there. Good times.
ro3wS9m.jpg
 
My first recommendation has always been, do what YOU like. That being said, you underestimate the value of your car. Maybe not monetarily, but the interest value. Yeah, I'm the number one road runner fan, but I'll stop and admire a Sport Satellite each and every time. My opinion, it is an underrated classic. Remember, it's basically a GTX with a small block. From your description, it sounds like a beauty.
There were Sport Satellites built with 383 engines too.
I disagree that the car is "Not a very desirable one".....They are not as popular as a Charger or Roan Runner but still popular.
 
Last edited:
There were Sprt Satellites built with 383 engines too.
I disagree that the car is "Not a very desirable one".....They are not as popular as a Charger or Roan Runner but still popular.
Yeah, I know they were available with 383, his is a small block.
 
Here's a bullitt point that will make you decide which way to go: what's your budget? If you want to go "factory original" you will spend untold dollars trying to get the car to that point. If you resto-mod it, then not only will you probably spend less money, but the car will be more drive-able and possibly safer for your daughter and you to drive. Ultimately, do what your heart tells you to do with this car...
 
I'd keep the SB that way you can keep the AC, I'm sure she'd like that. You could always up the cu in to 340, 360, or stroker if you want more HP. I'm a fan of the vintage "look" with the modern touches. I'd do disc brakes. AM/FM blue tooth conversion. That should keep her interested & happy, and you probably would be the only SS at any show which is nice. The other route is the SS is very close to a GTX in trim, grille tail panel & tail lights if you have a bigger budget. Show us some pictures!
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top