Satellite Questions and Answers

QUESTION

I purchased a '67 Satellite about 8 years ago and I have some questions I am hoping you could help me with, but first let me give you the VIN. It's RP23F77215767. It's a 2 door. I use this car for drag racing here in Michigan. But here is what's diff. about this car: 1)It is currently white but you can see it was orig. blue. the interior is ALL Matching blue and it has the GTX emblem in back seat, and has floor consol w/auto shift and 150mph speedometer. all matching the orig. blue. 2) The car has the GTX dual hood scoops. 3) the car has the racing flip out gas cap. 4) tailights are one smooth and one ribbed. I have a built 440 in the car know w/4:56 gears, B&M shifter etc., How did someone find all the GTX stuff (same color) and why would someone go through all that trouble to make a fake GTX? The guy I bought it from did not do it and the car only cost me $3,000, so it's not like they were trying to make money. I believe the car only had a 318 originally. Is there any value to any of the parts I mentioned? And what about the car itself...do you have a production quanity on it? I am thinking about tubbing the car out for wide tires and am not sure if I should cut it up? I realize this car is NOT something people would really want, but just the same I would like to find out what I can about it. Thanks for your time. Larry - [email protected]

ANSWER

Your VIN is very similiar to my Satellite's, which is RP23F77XXXXX. Here is how the VIN breaks down:

R = 116 inch wheelbase Plymouth (Belvedere/Satellite)

P = Premuim - 23 = two-door hardtop

F = 318 (440 would be L, Hemi would be J)

7 = model year ('67)

7 = the assembly plant (St. Louis, MO.).

The rest of the numbers tell where your car falls in the production cycle. Your car, for example is the 15,767th Satellite built in 1967. Here's where it gets more confusing. The GTX was an option package on the Belvedere that year, BUT, the production numbers for GTXs and Satellites are mixed together. There were 30,328 Satellites and GTXs built in 1967 but no one knows how many of those 30,328 were GTXs and how many were Satellites.

UPDATE ON GTX PRODUCTION NUMBERS- 3/9/98 - This just in from one of our readers:

("If you would like to know, there were 2,510 1967 GTXs made, of which 241 were convertables. 108 were hemis, 63 auto trans and 45 were standard trans. That left 2259 that were made which were 440 engines. These were called 2dr coupe bodies. As for how many were hemi convertables or hemi 2dr coupes I have no idea. I hope I have helped you. Thanks." CHUCK [email protected])

(Thanks for the info, Chuck.)

You have a Satellite since you have an "F" for 318 in your VIN. Other info for you: The Satellite and GTX share the same exact interior (so that part would not be a problem for someone making a fake GTX). The only parts on yours that would be different would be the GTX emblem between the seats, the 150 mph speedo, and the hood scoops. My Satellite also has a factory floor shifter and console. The GTX and the Satellite share the same ribbed tailights. The GTX is technically a form of Belvedere. The plain Belvedere tailights will not fit on a Satellite or GTX (as I found out). The GTX has body trim that runs between the back of the front wheel well and the front of the back wheelwell along the bottom of the rocker panel. The Satellite has body trim that runs the length of the car and about 10 inches up. Under the trim is painted gun-metal gray, and above the trim is painted the body color. To make a long story short, since your car came with a 318 and not a 440 or Hemi, it was built as a Satellite and someone put on the GTX hood, emblems, etc... I have no idea what the parts you have are worth. I do know that '67 Plymouth parts are really hard to find. My advice on the tubbing: don't do it. I know these cars have really small wheelwells for fitting a big slick underneath but maybe you could try moving your springs in 3" per side with a Mopar Performance kit instead. I think your car would be worth more that way. I don't think future buyers would really mind that the engine isn't original (since it was only a 318 to begin with and you have a 440 now) but people don't seem to dig cars that have been all carved up for drag racing. I bet you could still go pretty fast with that car without having to resort to the tubs. Remember, superstock cars in the 60s used to run 10s on 9 inch slicks.

UPDATE ON TELLING A GTX FROM A SATELLITE - 7/8/98 - This just in from one of our readers:

("I happened onto this page, I own a 67 belvedere, Satellite, and GTX. The VINs are RH for belv, RP for Sat, and RS for GTX. This is all explained in the little white books by Galien Govier. The only owners manual for 67 Plymouth b-bodies says Belvedere on it, they didn't make seperate manuals for the variations on the same body platform. The differences in the interiors of the satellite and GTX are the rear seat emblem, the glove box emblem, and the 120 vs the 150 mph speedo. The console was an option on both cars. The seats and door panels are the same on both. The interior code is P6X for black. The P means premium vinyl, The 6 means bucket seats, The X means black. Different color interiors have a different letter code where the X is, that tells the color. This is also explained in Galiens book. 67 Satellites are neat cars, I enjoy mine.")

QUESTION

I need info (parts, resources, web sites, catalogs, etc.) for a 67 Belvedere 2DR Sedan. Also, what's the car worth finished? Original white with blue interior, automatic 71,000 original miles. [email protected]

ANSWER

Check out my website's links page for more websites relating to '67 Plymouths. I've got a couple links that are devoted to just '66-'67 Plymouths like yours. For parts, try the link I have called "Parts for Sale". Also pick up a copy of Hemmings Motor News at your bookstore or newstand. Hemmings has tons and tons of Mopar parts for sale in it. Hemmings will also give you an idea of what these cars are selling for. For catalogs try Legendary Auto Interiors for interior stuff (sorry don't have an address or phone number, but they always have ads in Hemmings and all the Mopar magazines) Year One Inc. will send you a catalog with tons of Mopar reproduction parts for $5.00 by calling 1-800-932-7663. Another good catalog is Paddock West, Inc., price is also $5.00 and the number is 1-800-854-8532.

QUESTION

Hello. I am writing you from Reno, Nevada in search of help. I am trying to find pictures of the exterior, interior, trunk and engine compartments of a 1967 Plymouth Belvedere II convertible with a 318 (one of 1,552 produced). I would really appreciate any help you could give me. Thanks a lot. Nice Site. Dennis. [email protected]

ANSWER

I could snap some Polaroids of my engine compartment for you (it's not that pretty a sight, but it's probably pretty factory correct). I could also snap some Polaroids of my trunk compartment. I'm not sure how different it will be from a convert's. You've got me stumped on the other stuff. Maybe check out pictures of '67 GTXs and then mentally subtract the GTX emblems for how a Belvedere is supposed to look trim-wise (seeing as how a '67 GTX is just a '67 Belvedere with a couple "GTX" emblems, a Satellite interior and tail lights and a couple of hood scoops - and a big engine). I'll post your Email on my Q&A page and see if you can get some responses that way. Thanks for checking out my page and good luck with your project. Jon

QUESTION

Hi, great Web site! Really enjoy a site dedicated to the Satellites. We have a '66 and a '67. The '66 is a 383 4bbl and the '67 is a 318. Both are stock. I would like to know what's the widest, tallest 14 inch radial tire that will fit in the stock wheelwell. Thank you for the help and keep up the great site. Dave Green, Shelbyville,MI - [email protected] (D J Green)

ANSWER

I've been wondering the exact same thing. I've heard a 235/70 is the biggest tire you can fit. Anyone out there have any luck with anything bigger?

ANSWER

(This answer in from one of our readers) Hello, I just came to your site and found it to be very cool and interesting, I have a 1966 Blevedere II. I wanted to add a couple of things like...the reason you have a Belvedere owners manual is your car is actually a 1967 Plymouth Belvedere Satellite...the Satellite package is actually a trim package so for instance a GTX is actually a Belvedere GTX (and it came with a 440 standard). all Plymouth B-bodies for '66-'67 were technically Belvederes. Dodges are easier because they are all Coronets - no other badges. In the q&a for tires sizes I run 225/70/15 B.F. Goodrichs on 15x6 cragar rims up front, the next size up could be run but if it gets too big the tires rub if you crank the wheels all the way when turning. Out on the back side 265/60/15 B.F. Goodrichs on 15x7 cragar rims, the limiting factor is rim offset - a 15x8 rim fits under the car but those low wheel openings hurt (a custom offset would be needed). I had 275's on the back but one day after making a hard right turn I gunned the engine and tore the raised white letters right of the tires. My car was originally a 318 wide block car but now has a mildly built 383 and runs mid to low 13 second quarter miles. People often ask when they hear the car run "is that a hemi under the hood?" and I say "no" then pop the hood and they ask "is that a 440?" and i say "No, it's only a little 383". It's fun because I know a couple of guys with 440 Road Runners who can't beat me and it drives them nuts. Consider using your 383 even though people will say why not a 440 (you will be a half second slower with the same specs). I have had faster cars but on the street with all drum brakes I go plenty fast plus my wife can drive the car to the store, if you try to go too fast it's not fun to drive a lot. Some day I want to build a stroked 400 engine (451 c.i.) and keep all my 383 name plates, you can buy a kit then just add your block, supposedly the engine will rev like a small block and have the torque of big block. Right now my car is in pieces but I have a picture of it in primer with the wheels I would like to send you to post in your reader rides. The car was painted by a local shop, and they did a horrible job for what it cost me and took over a year to do, I could have done a better job in half the time for a third the cost. I miss driving the car so I'm starting to put things back together and focus on what I like to do best...drive. Paul

ANSWER

I read your Q&A on rear wheels for 66-67 Plymouth Belvederes and Satellites. I have owned and enjoyed several of them over the years. I currently own a '67 GTX with a 440 engine and a 4-speed. A real neAt trick for rear wheels for them is a 15x7 factory steel rim with 15x7 JJ stamped on the inside. They were made with more offset on the inside for tire clearance. I am currently running 275/60/15 Good Year Eagles with no problems (it's a tight fit getting them past the wheel lip when installing but once they are on they don't seem to rub. The look once they're on is awesome -and you don't even have to change anything . If anyone has questions on these cars drop me a line,maybe I can help. Bill L. ([email protected])

QUESTION

Hi, I also have a 67 Satellite. I am in the process of swapping from a 273 to a 383. I just obtained a set of Hi Performance exhaust manifolds for a big block . After a little bit of research I found out that they are for a C body. By any chance do you know if these C body manifolds are compatible with my car. Tim Edwards

ANSWER

I posted your question on a Mopar Web Board and also talked to a friend of mine who has owned many C, B, and E bodies and done many swaps with different C, B, and E body headers and manifolds. The consensus we reached is that the C body manifolds will fit in your engine bay. The only snag will be that you will not be able to use pre-bent exhaust tubes to connect to your manifolds, it will be a little bit of a challenge for your exhaust guy to custom bend some but not impossible by any means.

COMMENT

"Two thumbs up for your website!! I have been looking for aprox. two years to find any info about the 1967 Satellite on the internet..... I have not been very successful until today. Many thanks for putting your site on the net." - Antonio Nicola