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1965 Plymouth Satellite - Prepare For Launch

Mike Creglow Front View
  • Engine: Mike started with a 400 low-deck block stroked to 500 ci. A Holley Dominator sits on top of a ported Indy intake and a pair of ported Indy heads. Compression ratio is a race only 12.5:1.
  • Transmission: Mike releases the trans-brake on his fully race-prepped 727 at 5,000 rpm. Using the word launch to describe what happens next is not really an exaggeration.
  • Rearend: Narrowed Dana 60 with 4.56 gears and Moser girdle.
  • Performance: First time out netted a 10.74 at 127 mph. Mike is still dialing things in a bit and has since seen a 10.32. He's aiming at flat 10s; we think he'll make it.

  • Suspension: Front is stock except for the adjustable shocks. The Super Stock rear springs were moved inboard 3 inches and forward 1 inch.
  • Brakes: The stock drum brakes are used all the way around. Mike says they release cleaner than disc brakes and get his Satellite out of the hole a little quicker. They won't hold the car at the line, which is the reason for the trans-brake.
  • Wheels: 15-inch Americans up front. Widened steel wheels are mounted on the back.
  • Rubber: 7.60x15 Moroso Drag specials cover the American wheels. M/T drag slicks grab on for dear life out back.

  • Body: With the obvious exception of that huge hoodscoop and the nearly imperceptible mini-tubs, the body is factory stock right down to all the original trim parts.
  • Paint: In keeping with the show car restoration part of this project, the white-over-dark-turquoise paint scheme was used because it was an available choice for this car in 1965.
  • Interior: While it's pretty hard to ignore a 10-point NHRA-certified cage, Corbeau racing buckets, Pro Comp gauges, and a Cheetah SCS shifter, Mike nevertheless wanted an interior as stock appearing as possible. The trunk on the other hand, while beautifully finished, is anything but stock. It's filled with a 10-gallon fuel cell, an Aeromotive fuel pump, a couple of 100-pound capacity weight boxes, and, of course, the battery.

1965 Plymouth Satellite Rear View
You would never notice it... 
   
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1965 Plymouth Satellite Rear View
You would never notice it if we didn't tell you, but the rearend of Mike's Plymouth has been moved forward an inch for better weight transfer. Yes, that little bit does make a big difference in the way this car hooks up.
1965 Plymouth Interior Front View
Except for the necessary racing... 
   
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1965 Plymouth Interior Front View
Except for the necessary racing equipment, Mike tried to keep the interior as clean and as stock looking as possible. It actually smells like a new car at least until you fire it up.
Battery Front View
There's plenty going on in... 
   
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Battery Front View
There's plenty going on in the trunk with a relocated battery, a pair of 100-pound capacity weight boxes, and a 10-gallon fuel cell. Do those wheelwells look tubbed to you?

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