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Plymouth Satellite 4door, what to look for

Breven52

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Tennessee
Hey guys,
I’m going to look at a 1973 Plymouth Satellite 4 door this weekend that I intend to clone my dad’s cruiser from when he started in 1974. I am new to the Plymouth game, but I’ve frame up restored a 1942 Ford GPW Jeep. What am I getting into here?
 
inside the cowl
 
yep.

pop the screens off and feel around as much as you can as far as your arm will go and twist

bottoms of A pillars esp if a vinyl top car

corners of back windshield are prone to rust real bad and can cause the trunk and quarters to rust out as well

not sure on 4D but 2D rear wheel arch is a common area for bad rust

check the upper rear corners of the trunk from the inside as well
 
I always look under a car first:
1. Under the seat look at the torsion bar cross member and where it meets the frame rail.
2. Spring hangers and frame behind the rear wheels.
Be careful with undercoating, sometimes there is no metal at all beneath it.
If these areas are rotted, then politely leave.
 
The points on the frame horns where the front K frame (separate frame that holds the front suspension and engine mounts) mounts can also potentially rust out.

Somewhat uncommon but I've seen it more than a few times.

There are "fish plates" that reinforce those areas, and if the look like they are separating away from the frame- that's bad news.
 
while you're thinking about the cowl-

look everywhere you can see the cowl

up inside the fenders, in the front door jamb/hinge area, even under the wide chrome strip at the bottom of the windshield if possible

that trim traps leaves and dirt and holds water- the chemical formula for rust
 
The Sentiment is cool but, a 73 4 door anything is losing every penny put into it, I know alot of us dont care about making money on our cars but I try not to lose when I eventually sell.

Maybe ask your dad (if you can) what his favorite car is/was?
 
OTOH, a really clean and solid 73 4 D Sat can probably be had pretty cheap, and is every bit a classic as much as a 2D not to mention as enjoyable.

About 5 or 6 years ago I went to look at a 72 RR. I didn't buy it (too much of a stripper and over priced) but the guy also had a 74 Satellite GA detective's unmarked car. 4 Door, gold with tan bucket seat interior, lights in the grille and package tray, high idle, 400-4 barrel, shot gun bracket, etc. Still had the radio!

$1600!

It was very cool but I did not a have a place to store it and it had some odd, crusty rust in some unusual spots.

If that was what I wanted though, it would have been a GREAT starting point.
 
YY1, not picking a fight, but you said you didn't have room for the 4 door, but you went to look to purchase a 72 Road Runner, would you have made room for the RR ? But the 4 door wasn't what you want?

That was kinda my point that you poo pooed.
 
I didn't have room for another back burner project.

Both of those cars, along with a 73 Duster he had for sale fit that description.

I actually liked the cop car best of the three and spent the most time looking at it.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I’m hoping to go look at it Saturday.
 
Realize also you can look at the lower rear quarter and so no evidence of rust but it will rust from the inside, and if you take it to bare metal, you might find some rusted pinholes. In other words usually what rust you see, there can be more!
 
Here is my 62 Dart 330 I just finished my body/paint work on. Not perfect but neither am I! Key words: No rust, has scars of life, 5-10 footer!! lol
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Hey guys, I ended up buying the car. It’s pretty cherry. 49k original miles with the 318. Starts on a half revolution of the starter. Strong runner. The seats are shot, but everything else is perfect.

630BDC64-DD1A-4706-A05D-559AE54554CA.jpeg 26C258A6-0630-4502-B555-C8D9C583C183.jpeg 8BE20E69-0D09-4571-9F24-D6A74F3F8374.jpeg FEDC9946-D189-480D-AA43-B711817A42DD.jpeg 29439C61-315B-40CF-B33C-6F3D3823BBA8.jpeg
 
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