Kevin Wehner of Tempe, Arizona, is a lot like most of us Mopar folks, and while driving around the places he typically travels he’s always taking back roads and peeking in barns and open garages looking for a forgotten Mopar. Kevin admits that like most of us, he sees fewer Mopars out in the open these days, but as his story demonstrates there are still some very cool cars hidden behind houses, in sheds, or barns, just waiting to be found.
While driving to Coolidge, Arizona, in late 2008, Kevin decided to take a route he hadn’t driven before for both a change of scenery and the chance to perhaps spot an undiscovered Mopar. Driving the back roads and contemplating his route, Kevin passed a house and his peripheral vision caught something reflecting in the desert sun, poking out of the shed behind the house. Taking a closer look, the shiny item was the unmistakable nose of a ’66 Plymouth Satellite. Turning around, Kevin wondered if the car was a two-door, did it have a V-8, and would the owner be willing to sell? After a knock on the door, an elderly gentleman opened it and Kevin got his answers.
After introducing himself, Kevin asked about the car and the owner said no, it was not for sale, but began to describe the car to Kevin. He said he’d purchased the ’66 Satellite two-door in 1972 with about 23,000 miles on it and had driven it for a while before deciding to swap the engine for more power. Purchasing a ’68 440 HP, he pulled the original 361 big-block and made the swap, adding the max-wedge hoodscoop at the same time. He then continued to drive the car until around 1980 when it was parked and the engine was pulled for service. The car had sat in the shed ever since, and the owner said he always meant to repair it, but never did. Not wanting to be pushy, Kevin politely left his phone number, and asked the gentleman to call if he ever changed his mind.
Three weeks later Kevin’s phone rang, and it was the owner of the Satellite calling to ask if Kevin was still interested in the car. Of course Kevin said he was and they arranged to meet. Inspecting the car, Kevin found it to be in overall great shape and complete except for the absent engine. Though some of the interior and trim seemed to be missing, Kevin found all the pieces either in the trunk or the back seat. Even the Certicard and fender tag were still in their places under the hood. As an Arizona car, the Satellite was rust free and straight, making it a candidate for an easy restoration. Kevin and the owner quickly negotiated a price, and to Kevin’s excitement he got the car for less than a week’s pay!
Admittedly, Kevin didn’t need the project as he stays plenty busy with his job, family, and the admirable task of raising three foster kids, but he says the deal was too good to pass up. Kevin says that although his Satellite isn’t as rare as a Hemi B-body, being a big-block car certainly makes it worthy of a restoration back to its original glory. We congratulate Kevin and his family on scoring a great deal on their rare find.