Opportunity to buy!

[71mach351]

Posting here for the first time because I may have an opportunity to buy a 71 Satellite next spring. I’ve known the car since 1977. The original owner was my neighbor, a real little old lady car. Driven rarely with only 30k miles. She became ill and gave the car to her mechanic a couple years ago. He died soon after and the widow may be ready to sell. My question to all of you is what’s the market like for this? I’m not a mopar guy. I own a 71 Mach 1 and my dads 64 corvette. What’s a good offer?
1971 Satellite. 318. Auto. Tawny Gold. 30k ish miles. Pretty much 1 owner. The mechanic added a 4 barrel carb, new wheels, duel exhaust and I think he put on front disk brakes.

 

[DeltaV]

That looks like it is a Satellite Sebring (Sebring Plus?), not just a Satellite.

I have no educated cost guesses for such a low mileage example.

Do you have a picture of the fender tag? It will be on the driver's fender under the hood. It contains the options/sales codes, as well as the VIN.

Members here can help decipher the codes.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

 

[DeltaV]

What’s a good offer?

I would feel guilty offering $10k, but would not feel guilty offering $20k.

Original paint?
Rust?
Lots of options?

 

[71mach351]

I would feel guilty offering $10k, but would not feel guilty offering $20k.

Original paint?
Rust?
Lots of options?

Original paint, yes.
Might have rust. I did see her drive in the winter. Maybe a mile to the store. Not often. The picture is from last year.
Options unknown.
I won’t have access to the fender tag until she actually puts it up for sale.

 

[gdrill]

Damn fine survivor.

 

[polywideblock]

G'day from Australia

 

[YY1]

1971 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE 318-230hp (8cyl-2V) AT

	#4	#3	#2	#1
Sebring Plus 2dr Htp	7325	15050	21800	32900
Sebring 2dr Htp	6900	14200	20600	31000
2dr Sdn	4750	8500	12400	18600
4dr Sdn	2600	4200	6700	9500
Brougham 4dr Sdn	2825	4600	7300	10400
Custom 4dr Sdn	2700	4350	7000	9900
Regent 4dr Wgn	8225	14400	20300	32000
4dr Wgn	7300	12600	17700	27900
Custom 4dr Wgn	7750	13350	18800	29600

---

Add:
360-255hp (8cly-2V)	NC
383-275hp (8cyl-2V)	15%
383-300hp (8cyl-4V)	20%
4spd manual trans	5%
Air conditioning	10%
Power windows	3%

Deduct:
3spd manual transmission	-10%
Manual steering	-5%

 

[PlymCrazy]

Looks like a nice one to snatch up if you can.
Knowing the car's history as well as you do is priceless IMO.
Greetings and welcome to FBBO from NY!

 

[YY1]

Not a perfect chart, but have been pretty well on it in general for decades.

Note they list a 360-2 option.

NOT.

 

[DeltaV]

I won’t have access to the fender tag until she actually puts it up for sale.

Take money with you on that day. Otherwise, the car will slip through your fingers and into the hands of a flipper.

 

[furious70]

Probably bucket seats with column shift and rallye dash. If the whole body and paint is as nice as that photo makes it appear you could not restore to that condition for $20-30k...
Imo $15-20k is a buy immediately if it is that nice

 

[Don Frelier]

Welcome from NY.

 

[MarPar]

The Ford road wheels are a good sign for you. lol

 

[gtx6970]

No way one can give you an accurate value on limited info

Any rust , ? if so how bad ? make sure to ck underneath
How is the interior ? Bench seat or buckets ?
Options ?

Condition of the body and paint will be huge factors for value


If its as nice overall as the one picture shows, I could see it pull $30k to the right buyer

 

[SlingLow]

I would feel guilty offering $10k, but would not feel guilty offering $20k.

Original paint?
Rust?
Lots of options?

Assuming no personal connection to the seller, I would not feel guilty offering $10k. And if the car stands up to the questions asked on this thread, I'd feel like I got a smokin' deal. At $20k my butt cheeks would squeeze a little. Without complete info on options and conditions, I'm thinking the $15k range could work for both sides.

I consider it a fair deal when both parties feel like they got cheated just a little bit.

 

[71mach351]

Good info here. Thanks guys. It’s going to be a long winter waiting to see what happens.
Where were these cars prone to rust? I know where Mustangs rust but not these cars.

 

[SlingLow]

Where were these cars prone to rust?

Mostly in the North Eastern states where they salt the roads.

I know, I know...

 

[71mach351]

 

[YY1]

Remove the plastic grilles under the hood, in front of the windshield.
Towards the outer edges, you will find "volcano-like" structures, used to let in fresh air to the vents, and shaped to allow water to flow around them.
Feel carefully, as far around as you can get with your hand.
Some contorting may be necessary.

This is the number one hardest to fix rust prone area on 71-74 B body cars.

Also, the corners of the rear windshield trough, under the chrome, the quarter to rocker panel seams, the rear wheel arches and the upper corners of the trunk, which start to rust from the inside.
The A pillar/door hinge area can be problematic as well.