1967 Plymouth Satellite Hardtop Coupe

Chassis no. RP23H75111922

325 hp, 383 cu. in. OHV V-8 engine, three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission, independent front and rear semi-elliptical leaf spring suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 116 in.

It is incredibly rare to find a MoPar muscle car of the remarkable quality of that offered here, which truly checks all of the boxes in terms of provenance, preservation, and absolutely bulletproof documentation. Then again, that should all be no surprise in the case of this car, which spent almost all of its life in the tender loving care of the young man who bought it new, and who faithfully preserved it as a treasured possession for the rest of his life.

Among the peerless paperwork is a copy of the Chrysler Production Record, confirming the car to have been built in Los Angeles and sold to Coast Chrysler-Plymouth of Manhattan Beach, California, on October 10, 1966. Typical of MoPars, the actual build date is reflected on the data plate as October 12th , 1966. It was finished in Bright Red with Silver lower body paint over white/black vinyl bucket seats, and equipped with the 383 cu. in. V-8 with four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, 3.23 rear axle, Torqueflite transmission, Transaudio AM radio, power steering, tinted windshield, center console, and the Light Package with courtesy light, glove box light, trunk light, and fender mounted turn signal indicators.

On February 1, 1967, the Satellite was bought by its fortunate original owner, 23-year-old Michael J. “Mike” Dion of Inglewood, California. This car remained in Mr. Dion’s possession in southern California until his death 43 years later. Hardly the type to beat on his new muscle car, Mr. Dion was a meticulous owner, the sort that cars must dream of – maintaining virtually every scrap of paperwork on every service and maintenance detail over the years. He kept the original window sticker, reflecting all the above options as well as pinstriping, a remote mirror (noted on the data tag), and whitewall tires, and a final cost of $3,486.25. He also kept the original Chrysler Certicard stamped with his name and address, the owner’s manual, a warranty booklet, a pink slip dated 1974, and, beginning in 1973, remarkably detailed records of maintenance and upkeep.

Every year between 1973 and 2008 is represented in a binder, with a list of the work performed that year, backed up by invoices for each work order! The evolving odometer reading and the amount of gasoline bought per year were also scrupulously recorded. Handwritten notes record the manufacturer and specification of virtually every part used on the car, down to the belts, oil filter, and spark plugs. It is clear that the car was never mistreated or modified in any way, and equally clear in this trove of documentation is that Mr. Dion adored his automobile and doted upon it like a favorite child.

Mr. Dion passed away in 2010 and his Plymouth was sold the following year, shortly afterward finding its way into the care of its current, second private owner since new. He has continued to care for the car in the manner to which it is accustomed, installing a new water pump, universal joints, master cylinder, front wheel cylinders, and hoses, and a remanufactured power steering pump. Only the AM radio is currently not working. The seats were reupholstered before the current owner’s acquisition, while the paint was resprayed and the engine rebuilt in Mr. Dion’s ownership, some years ago. Other than these very sympathetic improvements, the Satellite remains a well-preserved, largely original example. As this car has never been subjected to wintry weather, it is completely rust free. The car is accompanied by the aforementioned, remarkable collection of documentation, as well as by two extra sets of wheels and tires, and a collection of spare parts.

Noted by Galen Govier as one of six known extant Los Angeles-built 1967 Satellite hardtops with the four-barrel 383 V-8, this is a truly rare automobile, not only for its specification and as the definition of a “dry California car,” but for its absolutely superb presentation and beyond-reproach documentation and provenance. Its combination of outstanding attributes would be impossible to duplicate at any price, and its new owner is sure to feel the same rich pride of ownership that Mike Dion savored for 43 years and that its current owner has enjoyed for almost 10 years.