Though it looked like an average two-door intermediate, the redesigned Satelite equipped with Chrysler's all-new street HEMI was one of the most potent factory-built performance rides available in 1966, and it continues to be a muscle car legend nearly six decades later.
In 1962, the Plymouth Belvedere was downsized from a full-size model to an intermediate. Three years later, the model was thoroughly redesigned, and its range-topping trim was marketed under the Satellite nameplate.
Only available in the two-door body style in either hardtop or convertible configurations, the Satelite featured more upscale hardware, and, unlike other Belvederes, it was only available with a V8 engine.
In the meantime, Plymouth had dominated the 1964 NASCAR season with its all-new 426 HEMI race engine, but since Chrysler didn't make the powerplant available in high-volume production cars, the competition's governing body banned it for the 1965 season.
Though a year earlier, a few drag strip-oriented Mopars were equipped with a slightly modified 426 race HEMI, Chrysler was now forced to make the engine available in production models, so a full-fledged street version of the famous motor was developed and added to the option list of select 1966 models.
A stealthy high-performance intermediate
Photo: Mecum
Among those models was the 1966 Satellite, which, like the entire Belvedere line, was mildly restyled once again.
The most distinctive upgrade received by Plymouth's intermediates was a new front grille, but apart from that, it carried over the bulk of the squared-off styling of the 1965 model.
Though it was now available with the high-powered Elephant engine, the Satelite didn't receive any eye-popping visual features such as a decal package, scooped hood, spoiler, or bright colors, like future Mopars.
Instead, the only signs that a Satellite hid a street HEMI under the hood were small 426 badges on the front fenders and a distinct hood ornament.
The debut of the mighty street HEMI
Photo: Mecum
While the 1966 Satelite looked like an average two-door intermediate, the story was much different when the latest optional engine was stuffed under the hood.
As standard, the model came with a 180-hp, 273-ci (4.5-liter) V8, so it was as unimpressive as it looked.
But, customers could choose from a wide range of optional V8 engines that improved performance.
The first optional motor was a 318-ci (5.2-liter) rated at 230hp. Next in line was a 265-hp Commando 361 (5.9 liters), followed by a 325-hp Commando 383 (6.2 liters).
Finally, the biggest news for Plymouth enthusiasts was the addition of the 426-ci (7.0-liter) HEMI to the list of optional engines. Heavily based on the 500+ horsepower race version, the street HEMI received a midler cam, a lower compression ratio, and dual four-barrel Carter AFB carbs instead of the large Holley race-bred unit.
Despite these changes, the engine was still rated at 425 (net) hp, a figure that, according to subsequent tests, was lower than the actual output by at least 25 hp.
Backed up by much-needed chassis upgrades
Photo: Mecum
Checking the HEMI option on the order sheet added around $1,000 to the base price of the Satelite, or nearly $10,000 in today's money.
Thankfully, for that hefty price tag, customers got a bit more than just the NASCAR-derived engine.
To cope with the added weight and power, the Satellite received a heavy-duty suspension system and larger, 11-inch drum brakes normally reserved for the Police cruiser-spec Belvedere.
The second-quickest muscle car over the quarter mile in 1966
Photo: Mecum
In 1964, Pontiac kicked off the muscle car craze with its GTO. When equipped with the 389 Tri-Power, the GTO was the quickest factory-built muscle car that money could buy that year.
In 1965, the Tri-Power GTO remained the quickest quarter-mile muscle car in the US, but by 1966, fierce competition meant it was no longer the top dog.
In 1966, Oldsmobile's W-30-equipped 4-4-2 became quarter-mile king. According to a test conducted by Car Craft magazine, the Olds achieved a 13.80-second quarter-mile run while traveling at 105.2 mph (169.3 kph).
Not far behind was the HEMI-powered Satellite, which ran the same distance in 13.80 seconds at 103.8 mph (167 kph), according to a test published by Car and Driver magazine in their April 1966 issue.
Therefore, thanks to the legendary engine, the Satellite went from an average intermediate to a timeless muscle car icon.
The 1966 Plymouth HEMI Satellite today
Photo: Mecum
One of the most rabid factory sleepers of the 1960s, the 1966 Plymouth Satellite, wasn't as popular as the Tri-Power GTO.
That was mainly because of the engine option's exorbitant price but also because its drum brakes, though larger than standard, did a poor job of stopping the car, which made it hard to tame at high speeds.
That year, Plymouth sold well over 30,000 Satellites, but only 844 left the factory with a 426 street HEMI under the hood.
Today, the 1966 Satellite remains a Mopar icon, but despite being extremely rare, a surviving example in mint shape can be cheaper than subsequent HEMI-powered rides.
Nevertheless, a hardtop still demands well over $50,000, while a convertible, of which only 27 were built, can go for more than twice as much on the rare occasions when one lands under the hammer.
For a virtual tour of a surviving 1966 Satellite HEMI, we recommend watching the YouTube video below by Lou Costabile.
