– The Satellite was the premium Belvedere model that came with numerous up-level features
– The car is classified as a Mopar_® B-body, which in ’65 shared the same platform as the Dodge Coronet, except the Plymouth rides on a 116-inch wheelbase as opposed to the Dodge’s 117 inches
– The “V8” emblem located on the front of the fenders is standard issue for all Satellites as there were no 6-cylinder engine offerings

The 1965 Satellite was the top-of-the-line model in the Plymouth Belvedere lineup that year and it came only in two body styles, a 2-door hardtop and convertible. Satellites were all V8 cars and came with bucket seats and a center console as standard equipment, along with some added bright work on the body and the plushest interior appointments.

A hardtop Satellite weighted in at approximately 3,220 pounds and the base price was $2,612.00 before any options. Besides the flashy Satellite, the rest of the Belvedere line consisted of lesser equipped models, the Belvedere I and Belvedere II versions, which was a streamlined assortment as compared to the previous 1964 line where there was a Savoy base model (eliminated altogether in ’65), plus gone was the Fury and Sport Fury variants (which came back, albeit in a larger C-body platform for 1965). The front end of the Belvedere for 1965 was revised with new sheet metal and twin 7-inch-diameter headlights, which replaced the four 5 1/2-diameter layout from 1964, and this was the last year of the basic body style (that ran from 1963-65) and some say it was the cleanest and most refined of the three-year run.

UPGRADED POWERPLANT

While the car came with a tame 318 engine, the decision was made to go for some serious horsepower under the hood. The first thing done on the project was to locate a 440-cid block and buy a stroker crankshaft (with the clean-up bore combined with the re-worked crank the cubic inch displacement now works out to 510-cid when you do the math). In order to mate the block to the rare 2 x 4 “Max Wedge” intake manifold, a pair of aluminum Indy cylinder heads were purchased and a deep oil pan from Milodon was added to the oiling system (along with a longer oil pickup) to help provide adequate lubrication. 10.0:1 pistons were fitted and a streetable Mopar Performance hydraulic camshaft was added, the goal was a potent engine, however something not too radical for typical street cruising.

Once the hood is opened, it’s quickly apparent of the serious goings-on taking place here – the “RB” (raised B-block) wedge also fitted with factory ram exhaust manifolds. Visually this is what a Max Wedge looks like, only in this case, with the aluminum Indy heads are used to mate the block to the huge intake ports of the cross-ram. A pair of Edelbrock carburetors are used in place of original Carters, however these are of the same design (Edelbrock bought out the Carter line). In addition, a Chrysler electronic ignition system (orange box on firewall) and dual master cylinder upgrade (non-power) were incorporated in the build.

After the new engine was fitted, first thing was to have the TorqueFlite fully rebuilt. Then to change the rear end gear ratio from 3.54:1 to a 3.08:1 (and that was done by changing the 8 3/4 stock rear differential to a slightly narrowed Currie 9-inch complete with rear disc brake conversion). The general idea here was to lower the rpms while cruising and while it did help, and the brakes were a great upgrade (and matched the front SSBC discs also added).

KEEP IT COOL

Because of the engine mods, it was decided to add a new system and one of the things that was paramount was to increase the overall amount of coolant in the system, raising it to a full five-gallon capacity! This was accomplished by using a triple-pass cross flow aluminum radiator from U.S. Radiator and while the car was getting this area updated, a 15-inch flex fan was mounted along with a custom-fabricated shroud to properly mate the components for maximum air flow and efficiency. In the end, the car now runs cool and overheating worries have all been eliminated.

SLEEPER (ALMOST)

The 1965 Plymouth Satellite features clean lines and a minimum of side chrome. With the updated wheels and tires and hood scoop on this car, it takes on a whole new muscular flavor! This angle reveals the deep oil pan from Milodon giving clue that the powerplant isn’t stock. 

INTERIOR

Satellite models came standard with bucket seats and center console, and this year saw the elimination of the push-button operation for automatic transmissions. To keep tabs on the engine Autometer gauges were added. The car has 38,000 miles listed and was purchased as a second owner vehicle with 35K on the odometer.

PERIOD WHEELS

A set of American Racing Torq Thrust II aluminum 5-spoke wheels were fitted on all four corners, with 15 x 8s on the front using standard offset. Rubber is 60-series P255/15 BFG Radial T/A.

Deep-dish 15 x 8-inch Torq Thrust II wheels are run on the rear wrapped with 70-series P255-15 BFG Radial T/As.

SUPER STOCK SCOOP

A fiberglass hood scoop to the car and it replicates the 1965 Super Stock “A-990” scoop that was used on HEMI^® drag package cars that year.

Single headlights for ’65, “V8” emblem a telltale signal of the Satellite.

The rear panel of the Satellite received a dress-up in the way of a full-width bright work panel along with an emblem that included red, white and blue markings. 

SIMPLE, CLASSIC STYLING

The car is classified as a Mopar “B-body”, which in ’65 shared the same platform as the Dodge Coronet, except the Plymouth rides on a 116-inch wheelbase as opposed to the Dodge’s 117 inches. Plymouths were typically shorter wheelbase and less costly that comparable Dodge models.

A complete reproduction Max Wedge exhaust system was fitted, shown here are the tips of the 2-inch tailpipes. 

Al Jensen wanted to clean up the looks of the engine compartment, so he relocated the battery to the trunk, which also helps the car’s weight balance by removing weight off the front end. 

DETAILS

On the front fenders, the Satellite emblem signifies it was the top-of-the-line Belvedere model that came with numerous up-level features that made it a separate, distinctive car in the lineup. 

An all-new model for 1965, in order to differentiate it from the lesser Belvedere models, these side louver-themed chrome pieces were added on the quarter panels providing an uplevel flavor.

Pasted atop the dual 14-inch diameter air cleaner lids are reproductions of the original “Mopar” Max Wedge decals with instructions on how to clean the paper filter elements.

DRAG RACING THE ’65 PLYMOUTH

Early in the 1965 drag racing season, the Melrose Missile ran this stock wheelbase Hardtop, and with 426 HEMI engine power, featuring magnesium 2 x 4 intake manifold, aluminum cylinder heads and long duration solid lifter racing camshaft.

The drag racing world was changing greatly in early 1965 and the biggest reason was because Chrysler Corporation went all-out with the building of a group of altered wheelbase cars (designed to improve rear-wheel traction) that were quickly called “Funny Cars” as a result of their peculiar looks! Al Eckstrand shown in the fuel-injected Golden Commandos car.

IN SCALE

Butch “California Flash” Leal was also a part of the action in ’65 with Plymouth, and Desktop Muscle Cars’ 1/18th-scale diecast is available, complete with Dodge Ram truck.

For builders, a 1965 Satellite 1:25 scale plastic kit is available from Moebuis Models, this one expertly built using Pearl Red paint from Tamiya and built as a showroom stock version.

Author: James Maxwell