'66 Satellite |
|
| While
flipping through the Friday edition of the Seattle PI, Antique & Classics section,
after reading the critics article on the feature car and Frick & Frocks advice column,
(which is all I read in the paper), I spotted an ad for a 1966 Plymouth Satellite,
383-2bbl, center column, auto, complete restoration started car. Hmm, the two things that
bothered me were”resto started and OBO”. I decided to call and after a brief
discussion on the general condition of the car, which as we all know is”it’s in
great shape”(meaning all doors are on and it moves under it’s own power) I asked
where it was located? In “Belfair”.Do you know where Belfair is? I never heard
of this place.So after getting a few directions I headed out on my quest. (I should of packed a lunch).Almost 2 hours later I spotted the “Resto started”car. There was rust in the lower rear quarters, a dent in the right door, both fenders and the hood. It had missing various parts, no hood emblem, the trunk had (4) bent wheel fender moldings, (2) rear lower quarter mouldings and (4) original spinner wheel covers & various bits and pieces in a infamous cardboard box organizer, no antenna, the seats looked like Cujo was lock inside and tried to eat his way out through the seats, the mixed/matched door panels looked like they were raised from the Titanic, no center console door etc, etc, etc. Nice wheels though. The grill looked like it was done by “body by wrinkles”, the bumpers looked like they were used to push, pull, and tow “brand X’s”out of the green river. I then started my long trip back home to Seattle. While on Rt 16, I noticed I was passing a lot of traffic, so I looked down at the speedo and I was traveling somewhere in the three digit plus zone, Wow, I promptly lifted my foot off of the pedal. She ran great and not bad for a 2bbl. After getting her in a safe environment (my garage) I started the project. The hood emblem and stainless trim and moldings were very pricey. I went to Wildcat Auto Wrecking in Sands Oregon, who by the way has over 650 antique and classic MoPars some real rare breeds, plus California to get lower rocker moldings and a place off of I-5 on the other side of Olympia in the woods (literally)to get excellent wheel fender moldings from a guy named “Joe”, a real weird experience, to get some very pricey items. The interior I stripped out and painted. The upholstery was ordered from Legendary Interiors and various parts ordered from Year One & Stephen’s Performance of Alabama. I wanted a 4bbl carb, so I called on one of the best, Pat Blais, who not only sold me the carb, linkage and electronic ignition but assisted in the installation and set up. Thank again Pat.Well with the heavy part done I sent it out for a body & paint, and when she came back it was great! I entered it, and my 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II next to each other in last years Spring Round-up, plus several other shows. I am presently working on my 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner Convertible (another resto started and OBO) Happy Moparing! Ed Ewert |
