Do I keep it as a sport satellite or do I just go find a V code RR or GTX?

[70sportsatellite440]

Guys I need thoughts and opinions on this,
I have a 70 Sport satellite 318 904 a/c car from the original owner and have everything with this car. Nothings ever been changed but the car is typically tired and rusted. My idea is to restore the body and put a 440+6 4spd Dana with an air grabber which I already have into it. People say if your gonna do that much then just clone it....the issue my brain has right now Is I just dont see any sport satellites really anywhere done up with a big block with all the goodies in them. I really like this particular car. What advice/opnion on this is I'm looking for is ..do I put 25-30k into this car (as thats where I'm at right now for body and paint), probably another 10k between freshening the 440+6 and doing all the chrome and fun **** that comes when opening pandora box on B bodies and loving her for as long as possible, or do i just abandon this plan and pick up a really nice 3/4 completed plain jane satellite/ RR clone (which I've now found at a price cheaper than my bodywork alone) but still has the standard small block drivetrain and plain bench seat interior in it. I'd have to put the BB drivetrain into it anyways along with the sports bucket seat interior and some other nice features the sport has... The 25k for bodywork is already done nicely on the newly found satellite but I still like my sport satellites trim options and interior look. I cant afford a real GTX and the thought of finishing this particular one car after being untouched so far and the story behind how I got it is making this hard. Is the car worth something different as a done up sport satellite without factory equipment or do I buy the satellite/re clone and put my parts in that and move on. Help me make a choice as this is friggin hard to choose. A shitload of money into a "non pure" sport satellite... or not too much money into a "non pure" satellite/ RR clone with my 440+6 4spd etc. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks

 

[GetX'd]

If you’re going to put that much coin into that car - frankly I’d sell it and buy what you want already done. There will be others with different opinions - but that’s mine....

 

[Speedbird]

You will need to be your own assessor as to money spent .
My only preference is I like to know what has been done to my car.
Therefore I always lean to making the car myself rather than buying someone else's hot rod.
Do you know what is under the other car's nice paint?
Not to mention mechanical items.

 

[PP1RT]

Opinion?? What is wrong with a Sport Satellite? What is wrong with cruising a 318/auto and getting twice the milage with cheaper gas? How often will you actually get to enjoy the full effect of the big block 4 spd Dana combo?

My opinion- keep the sport satty as a 318 cruiser and find another shell without a drivetrain(with metal work done) and build your combo. Best of both worlds!! That is what i am doing with my sport satellite. There are enough RR clones in the world to make a satty stand out now...

 

[threewood]

Keep it a Sport Satellite, keep all markings stock including any 318 callouts and stuff your beefed up drive train in it.

 

[JB400]

It's still going to be a Plymouth Satellite regardless if you clone it out or not. However, like you say, most would use it to clone a RR, GTX, or Superbird. Keeping it a Satellite would keep it unique in it's own right, and it would have some parts that RR and GTX also have, so nothing gained, nothing lost.

If anything, set out the 318 drivetrain off to the side and install the 440. You can always put it back later.

 

[moparedtn]

I echo the sentiments of the others so far. I am SO done with clones (or, *gag* "tributes").
An authentic car is refreshing to see these days actually.
You have a car that was actually all there when you got it - that's rare in and of itself.
To me, that one would be maximum cool if kept original.

BTW, 25-30k gets you deep into the world of picking up a "real" GTX in need of restoring.
If you can do what I did, namely find one where all the metal and body work has already been done or close
to it, but in need of mechanical/drivetrain/etc. then you'll be right where it sounds like you want to be.
It can be done with a little patience and a whole lot of homework - but heck, that's the fun of it.
Thrill of the chase, no regrets associated with BS cloning, getting that feeling of knowing you did it yourself, etc.

Do it right and you might wind up with a pedigreed one for less than you think - I did.

There's considerably less than $30k in this car and she's a real GTX.
Good luck!

 

[Demonic]

Sport Satellites are cool, rarely seen nowadays.

 

[BeeKool]

Keep it a Sport Satty and sell it to somebody who appreciates it.
If you want a V code buy one.

 

[Frank Mopar]

I hate clone cars, I hate tribute cars and I hate replicas.

I would definately keep it as it is. Why would anyone want a GTX badge on a car so everytime someone says “nice GTX” they can reply “well its not really a GTX”. IMHO

 

[70sportsatellite440]

Wow guys your right in line with where I was thinking about this. I love the fact it's a sport satellite as many of you have said. I'm gonna do it and keep it right. I'll put my drivetrain in but keep everything I've pulled out so far just in case 1 day I want her back the way she was. This puts me at ease! Thank you all for setting this straight in my mind!

 

[70sportsatellite440]

I echo the sentiments of the others so far. I am SO done with clones (or, *gag* "tributes").
An authentic car is refreshing to see these days actually.
You have a car that was actually all there when you got it - that's rare in and of itself.
To me, that one would be maximum cool if kept original.

BTW, 25-30k gets you deep into the world of picking up a "real" GTX in need of restoring.
If you can do what I did, namely find one where all the metal and body work has already been done or close
to it, but in need of mechanical/drivetrain/etc. then you'll be right where it sounds like you want to be.
It can be done with a little patience and a whole lot of homework - but heck, that's the fun of it.
Thrill of the chase, no regrets associated with BS cloning, getting that feeling of knowing you did it yourself, etc.

Do it right and you might wind up with a pedigreed one for less than you think - I did.
View attachment 635764
There's considerably less than $30k in this car and she's a real GTX.
Good luck!

That is friggin sweet! Love the color the look everything just a really nice car

 

[rlem1977]

I am certainly no car appraiser expert, but for a couple of beers I could play one on the interwebs. I hear all of the time that originality counts for a lot. It may be the case with your car. Keeping it a nicely done, origianl as possible, Sport Satellite may keep its value higher; versus turining into a 440+6 powerhouse. There are value calculators like Hagerty's that can give you an idea for that. I do agree with others in that the money you are considering spending could be used to purchase the muscle car you are really wanting, or find someone else's project to take over.

I do appreciate custom restorations, but sometimes I think its more appropriate to leave things more original, like leave a straight 6 in an old pickup. Whichever way you go, have fun.

 

[Lets Roll]

I remember putting a big block in a 318 charger many years ago. 318 was a stout little motor, I would have left it in there if I go back in time. I could cruise all night and it never had a problem.

 

[NJRR]

The decision really depends on what your motives are. If it's just to go fast and feel the push back into the seat when you launch off the line, then put your 440 setup into a nice looking car for as little as you can. If it's to have originality, it's a no-brainer.
Just to let you know where I'm coming from, I had a 70 Satty convertible about 12 years ago, 318 auto. After about 5 years I wanted to go faster so I sold the Satty and bought a beautiful restored RR 383 auto. After 5 years I converted it to a 4 speed to get a better punch in 1st and 2nd. Then after a couple of years I got the itch for another convertible and was lucky to find one in nice shape, also a 318 auto, so I sold the RR. Point is, tastes change, desires and motives change, but cars are only original once. I say leave it a Sport Satty. If you have the cash to spend, swap the drivetrain for your 440 but keep the original drivetrain so it can be put back to original. Here's pics of the 3 cars. The blue drop top is my current ride and probably my last.... unless I change my mind !!!!!!!

 

[PurpleBeeper]

My 2-cents.... keep your car & original drivetrain, but put into it whatever you want. fyi- no A/C with a six pack OR airgrabber (won't fit....well, six pack will fit if you cut off a huge chunk of the air cleaner.)

 

[70sportsatellite440]

The decision really depends on what your motives are. If it's just to go fast and feel the push back into the seat when you launch off the line, then put your 440 setup into a nice looking car for as little as you can. If it's to have originality, it's a no-brainer.
Just to let you know where I'm coming from, I had a 70 Satty convertible about 12 years ago, 318 auto. After about 5 years I wanted to go faster so I sold the Satty and bought a beautiful restored RR 383 auto. After 5 years I converted it to a 4 speed to get a better punch in 1st and 2nd. Then after a couple of years I got the itch for another convertible and was lucky to find one in nice shape, also a 318 auto, so I sold the RR. Point is, tastes change, desires and motives change, but cars are only original once. I say leave it a Sport Satty. If you have the cash to spend, swap the drivetrain for your 440 but keep the original drivetrain so it can be put back to original. Here's pics of the 3 cars. The blue drop top is my current ride and probably my last.... unless I change my mind !!!!!!!
View attachment 635874 View attachment 635875

Great story and absolutely I will be keeping every single thing I would have to replace to put the 440+6 into it boy I cant to drive her

 

[70sportsatellite440]

My 2-cents.... keep your car & original drivetrain, but put into it whatever you want. fyi- no A/C with a six pack OR airgrabber (won't fit....well, six pack will fit if you cut off a huge chunk of the air cleaner.)

I get the compressor won't fit with this beast in there but why would I have to cut a chunk off the air grabber to fit the 6 barrel in it?

 

[GetX'd]

I get the compressor won't fit with this beast in there but why would I have to cut a chunk off the air grabber to fit the 6 barrel in it?

I put a six pack on my GTX. You would only have to cut a small slot to work around your wiper motor. That’s all I did - and in fact if you have the 3 stage wiper motor you might not even have to do that. Mine fit just fine except that small work around. Mines a 68.

 

[SoCal440GTX]

Keep it a Sport Satellite