1973 Plymouth Satellite

Well, the '73 Satellite, let's be honest, it wasn't exactly a looker compared to some of its siblings. Think of it as the dependable workhorse of the Plymouth lineup; not flashy, but solid. Key features included its boxy body style—that's kinda the style of the era, you know?— and a range of V8 engines that provided plenty of oomph for cruising down the highway. (They were thirsty beasts, though, so be prepared for frequent gas station stops!) Depending on the trim level, you might find some fancy options like air conditioning, power steering, and even bucket seats; but, uh, you'd probably have to pay extra for those nice-to-haves.

Plymouth offered a good selection of engines for the '73 Satellite, ranging from smaller six-cylinder options for those seeking better fuel economy (ha!) to a variety of V8s for those who really wanted to feel the power. The most common engines were the 318 cubic inch and the 340 cubic inch V8s; these were pretty reliable workhorses, but hey, they guzzled gas like crazy! You could also find the higher-performance 400 and 440 V8s in certain models—those were real muscle-car powerhouses, in case you were wondering! Finding original documentation on the specific engine for a particular car can be a fun, detective-like puzzle.

The price you'll pay for a '73 Satellite can change like the weather; it all depends on the condition and how many of those extra goodies it has. A pristine, low-mileage example with all the original features could fetch a pretty penny—we're talking a serious investment. On the other hand, a rough, neglected example, will probably be priced more modestly. Rust is the number one killer for these cars—especially body panels that get hit with road salt during the winter—so a rust-free car will usually command top dollar. Rare options, or even just well-preserved original parts, can also boost the price considerably.

These cars, let's face it, they're not exactly new anymore. So, you'll want to keep your eye peeled for potential problems. Common issues might include things like the electrical system (those old wires can get brittle!), the braking system (always check it!), and the suspension (it can wear out, and boy does it feel bad when that happens!). You'll also want to pay attention to any signs of rust, and really, really inspect the undercarriage. You're gonna want a really thorough pre-purchase inspection from a qualified mechanic—don't skip that step! Trust me on this.

Finding parts can be a bit of an adventure, but hey, that's part of the fun of owning a classic car, right? There are many online sources—I mean lots of them, some websites and forums cater exclusively to Mopar parts, but you can also find many parts at local auto parts stores. However, original parts can be like finding buried treasure; sometimes they show up, sometimes they don't. Don't get discouraged though, you'll likely find what you need eventually; just gotta be patient and persistent.