Plymouth Satellite
The Plymouth Satellite was an automobile introduced in 1965 as the top model in Plymouth's mid-size Belvedere line. The Satellite remained the top of the line model until the 1967 model year, where it became the mid-cost model with the GTX taking its place as the top model. The Fury name was moved to Plymouth's mid-size models for 1975, at which time the Satellite name disappeared. The Satellite always used Chrysler's mid-size B platform.
When a new, larger Plymouth Fury was introduced for 1965 on Chrysler's full-size C platform, the Plymouth Belvedere name was moved to Plymouth's "new" mid-size line for 1965, in what was really a continuation of Plymouth's full-size 1962 to 1964 models. The Belvedere Satellite was the top trim model in the series, above the Belvedere I and II. It was available as a two-door hardtop or convertible, both with bucket seats. The front end was simple: a single headlight on each side, and a grille divided into 4 thin rectangles laid horizontally, similar to the concurrent Fury.
In 1966, along with a reskinning, the Satellite was available with the newly optional "Street Hemi" engine, with two 4-barrel carburetors, and 10.25:1 compression. This was also the first year that the Satellite name was available on a station wagon. With minor trim changes, this body continued for 1967.
Along with a significant restyling, a higher trim Sport Satellite model was introduced in 1968, at which time the Belevedere name was relegated to the low-trim base models, This body continued through 1970, with a minor front and rear restyling for 1970. This would be the last year for the Belvedere name. 1968 Was also the first year for the Plymouth Roadrunner which shared the same body as the Satellite and Belvedere models.
A significant restyling was done for 1971 as the Satellite adopted new "fuselage" styled bodies, with different wheelbases and sheetmetal for two and four door models. Sedans were available in base, Custom and Brougham trim, while two doors were called Satellite (a base coupe with rear windows that did not roll down), Satellite Sebring and Satellite Sebring Plus. Wagons came in base, Custom or wood-trimmed Regent models. Two door models had an unusual loop type front bumper (a period Chrysler styling trend), and this body was the basis for the related GTX and Roadrunner models.
Two-door models received a more conventional front end and squared up sheetmetal and rear side windows for 1973, while the sedans and wagons adopted large 5 mph bumpers for 1974. 1974 was the last year for the Satellite nameplate, although the B-body chassis continued as the Plymouth Fury through 1978.
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