'69 Convertible

Tdog · Apr 7, 2007

Thanks everyone for your replies. Don't know yet what I'll do - - or for that matter if my 'buyer' will even show up.

MikePA - - how do I find stats on # of '68 Sport Satellite Convertibles made?

It is a 1968 model, regardless of what my stupid evil brother typed for title of my original post.

Jack

MikePA · Apr 7, 2007

Tdog said:
MikePA - - how do I find stats on # of '68 Sport Satellite Convertibles made?

Sorry, I can't find any stats for '68 Sport Satellites.

Here's a link for a 1968 Sport Satellite Convertible, 318-4 bbl, automatic for $27,995.

Perhaps you're not asking enough. Might want to check Hemmings Motor News.

Nasty135 · Apr 7, 2007

Tdog, Believe me where I am , That car wouldn't last 30 minutes without a buyer for $3500...that would be a steal...Without seeing it myself and just judging from the picture I wouldn't be afraid to start at $7500 minimum,

check this site CarsOnline.com: Plymouth Cars For Sale

Back in 1991 or so , I sold a very clean 1971 chevelle convertible ss clone for $7500 today it would go for $15-20k easy

art · Apr 7, 2007

Just got rid of my last 65, satallite a rolling chassis with a 440 plus should have had about 450 horse, Torque Flite needed the interior done and the paint. Got 7,500 out the door.

I'd say at 10,000 it will be gone in a very short time and 25,000 isn't out of line.

Tdog · Apr 7, 2007

You guys are beginning to make me rethink this. Acutally I have not listed the car for sale - - just happened to mention it while at the dealership. I'm afraid I mentioned the $3500 while I was there - - guess I could tell them I am being advised to reconsider the price. Like I said before - - don't know what I'll do yet.
I've seen some similar vehicles for sale on Hemmings & Ebay - - Cars-on-Line was new to me. What I can't gage is what it's worth unrestored.

I'd like to have the floorspace in my shop where it now sits, but to be honest, I'd rather have the car back in mint condition, but can't see that happening.

Jack

RobertN · Apr 7, 2007

KentT said:
BTW, most Roadrunners were 383s or 440s, and not 426 Hemis. The 440 was the Nascar "oval-track" motor, the 426 Hemi was the NHRA dragstrip motor...

Please give more details...

Most Roadrunners in the 60's were 383's, and then 440's. Hemi's were a premium. The Roadrunner was started as a basic, low options, low priced performance car; it met that goal for the first couple years.

The Hemi(426) was a race motor; both NASCAR, USAC, and drag motor. The 426/4bbl was the NASCAR motor, while the 426/8bbl was the street and drag motor.

The Hemi was the NASCAR motor till '71. Between the Aero cars(Daytona/Superbird) and the Hemi, speeds were becoming outrageous(wing car record was not broken for years), and the elephant motors made too much power. The only one who could compete was Ford with thier 427 cars, but only after the Hemi's were detuned/restricted. Chevy was not even in the picture then.

In '71/72, the only way Mopar could run the winged cars was with a 5.0L motor... I am unsure about the Talledega's/Cyclones from Ford/Mercury wether they could still run, or if the small motor restriction affected them too.

Interesting thing, even though I am a Mopar fan, is the winged Mopars split about 50/50 with aero Fords; they did not run away with the standings...

The other thing I find interesting, is Superbirds start on Ebay at $125k or so and go up from there. The only Talledega I have seen advertised on the web was going for about $35k, in really nice condition.

Timber · Apr 8, 2007

Bird said:
I don't know where you heard that, or what other year model vehicles you're comparing them to, but in those days, I drove a lot of different vehicles, including high speed police pursuits, and I can guarantee that it just ain't true.

Bird I mean you no disrespect but lets call a spade a spade. most Muscle cars of that time period 67 to 72 were very unstable and some worst than others Too much motor not enough suspension, too light in the tail. They flew right off the road. The Road Runner was one of the worst. Mopar dominated the Muscle car in that time period so they had the biggest list including the Hemi Cuda, My personal favorite but still a death trap And the Cougar was so light in the tail a little sand would put that thing into the woods.

You guys are beginning to make me rethink this. Acutally I have not listed the car for sale - - just happened to mention it while at the dealership. I'm afraid I mentioned the $3500 while I was there - - guess I could tell them I am being advised to reconsider the price. Like I said before - - don't know what I'll do yet.
I've seen some similar vehicles for sale on Hemmings & Ebay - - Cars-on-Line was new to me. What I can't gage is what it's worth unrestored.

I would be sure to research what you have 1st. My dad collected Antique cars 20s and early 30s vintage. mostly Fords but he had a mint Auburn too. The value of a car can change drastically with the market that said you do not want to give it away. Some times the condition your selling it in is Ideal. It can go either way for the buyer. Original condition or converted to a Muscle car. Pro-Street is the term now. Either way you have a 2 door convertible with some nice lines.

Bird · Apr 8, 2007

The Road Runner was one of the worst.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

A little light in the rear end? Yeah, but the Roadrunner was no more so than most others. Of course, it depends on what you're comparing them to. I don't know what you consider a "stable" vehicle. The most "unstable" sedans I ever drove were the 1959 General Motors vehicles; incredibly soft suspension. On my parents' Oldsmobile, we put Monroe load levellers; i.e., their heavy duty shocks with the coil spring around the shock.

Timber · Apr 8, 2007

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree

LOL thats fair

I'm with you on that

Hooked_on_HP · Apr 8, 2007

TDog, A lot of times, to a collector an unrestored car is worth as much as a restored car. They can see exactly what they are getting and dont have to worry about how the paint and body work was done,what was done right and what was done wrong. They can restore it to their likes or to factory origional. Do some investigating and remember you can always lower your price, but you cant raise it after you list it.

MikePA · Apr 8, 2007

Timber said:
My personal favorite but still a death trap...

Puhleeze, this is a little much. A death trap? Hardly.

Bird · Apr 8, 2007

A death trap? Hardly

It might have been . . . if you were a bad enough driver.

MikePA · Apr 8, 2007

Bird said:
. . . if you were a bad enough driver.

Or Ralph Nader.

RobertN · Apr 8, 2007

Timber said:
Roadrunners were one of the most unstable cars ever built. Most of them went into the woods those and Cougars of the same vintage. Then people made them even more unstable with a posy rear end. I am suprised there are any left in existance at all

Guess I'm like Bird; I'll have to agree to disagree... Mostly on the Cougar though. While I had a Roadrunner, it was a later one that handled very well.

I spent a lot of time around a buddies '68 Cougar. He built it to the point it was breaking 12.0 second 1/4 miles. Respectable for a small block car that was very street-able and driveable. That car was very stable, both out of the hole, and while cornering. Eventually, he put Centerlines with runners up front; the 4" wide front tires pretty much ended it's cornering abilities

Up till that point though, it would really get with it, pretty good for a stock suspension.

On your point about stability though, one thing that stands out to me is how in the late '60s to early 70's, you could get these cars with serious serious performance, and still have things like four wheel drum brakes, some non power brakes, from any of the big three; GM Fomoco or Mopar. Imagine stopping a big block Mustang, Challenger or Camaro with drum brakes, especially if going fast...

Bird · Apr 8, 2007

Yep, Robert, my '68 Roadrunner had 4 wheel drum brakes, but at least it did have power brakes. The 1968 Fords were the first police vehicles we had with front disc brakes, power brakes, and air-conditioning (still no power steering that year; power steering and automatic transmissions came in 1969). Prior to 1968, we knew if we drove through a puddle in wet weather, the next time we hit the brakes, the car was going to pull one direction or the other; just never knew which direction it would be.

RobertN · Apr 8, 2007

Bird said:
Yep, Robert, my '68 Roadrunner had 4 wheel drum brakes, but at least it did have power brakes. The 1968 Fords were the first police vehicles we had with front disc brakes, power brakes, and air-conditioning (still no power steering that year; power steering and automatic transmissions came in 1969). Prior to 1968, we knew if we drove through a puddle in wet weather, the next time we hit the brakes, the car was going to pull one direction or the other; just never knew which direction it would be.

CHP used a lot of Dodge vehicles in the 60's through the 80's. One of the best patrol cars used by the CHP was the '69-71 Polara. With the Interceptor package, that was one incredible car. Even big block Mustangs, Camaro's and 'Cuda's had to think twice before messing with those Polara's...

There were a couple around Sacramento that were faster than most. they came in to the shop for some top end work. When the parts were replaced, the partsman, whom I might be related to, gave the mechanics some parts that were not made for street... Not sure how that happened ;-)

My Dad knew a couple of the guys who drove those cars; while they might not have been lightening out of the hole; they would fly out on the highway

RobertN · Apr 8, 2007

Tdog said:
Thanks everyone for your replies. Don't know yet what I'll do - - or for that matter if my 'buyer' will even show up.

MikePA - - how do I find stats on # of '68 Sport Satellite Convertibles made?

It is a 1968 model, regardless of what my stupid evil brother typed for title of my original post.

Jack

Definitely research it. It is amazing how much some cars go for these days, especially Mopars. I watch Roadrunners on Ebay; some get a pretty penny...

BillyP · Apr 8, 2007

Timber said:
Roadrunners were one of the most unstable cars ever built. Most of them went into the woods those and Cougars of the same vintage. Then people made them even more unstable with a posy rear end. I am suprised there are any left in existance at all

Yeah, I seen one of those cars shows on TV about 2 months ago that was talking about this very thing. This guy had 2 mint condition Roadrunners. I don't remember the details for sure but they were talking about the rear end being light and one side had an extra leaf in the spring to compensate for twisting torque of the rearend. The guy that owned them said they didn't handle worth crap but he didn't care

Bird · Apr 8, 2007

The guy that owned them said they didn't handle worth crap

Now I never drove a Roadrunner other than the one we owned. But I was working every day driving a police sedan and my Roadrunner certainly handled as well, if not better, than the Ford police sedans that had the heavy duty police package.

Maybe my Roadrunner was unusual, but I wouldn't have thought so. And my wife still says the Roadrunner was her favorite of all the cars we've owned over the years.