Wearing a full-size body once again, the Sport Fury for 1965 was designed to compete head on with the Chevy Impala Super Sport and the Ford Galaxie/XL. As such, it offered sportier trim on both the exterior and interior of the car. Sport Fury production would approach 45,000 units in ’65, with 6,200 of them convertibles like the pair offered here on eBay. Located in Lakeland, Florida, they are both in rough condition, with one better in some places than the other. The current starting bid for both is $2,500, but no takers as yet. Hats off to Larry D for turning us on to this duo!
The Plymouth Sport Fury in convertible form was chosen to pace the Indianapolis 500 for 1965. As was often the case, the manufacturer would make copies available for sale to John Q. Public. While the actual pace cars had a 413 cubic inch V8, the dealer cars would come with 383’s and a decal package in the trunk that may or may not get applied (buyer’s choice). We’re told these cars were painted white, had a two-tone blue interior, blue or white tops, front and rear bumper guards, dual exhaust, and wheel covers with “knock off” caps. Despite their appearance today, the seller believes that one or both of his autos could have been pace car replicas. But there was no clear-cut way to identify them as such through their VINs. Let’s take a quick dive into each of the cars.
White Sport Fury
Of the two cars, this one has the most options which better lends itself to having been a dealer pace car. It comes with items such as power steering (with a factory steering fluid cooler), automatic transmission, power brakes, factory air conditioning, power windows, light package and a tilt steering wheel. It carries the correct factory white color and has the remnants of a white top. Although the interior has been dyed black, there are glimpses of the two-tone blue underneath. We’re told this car is almost complete except for the tachometer and the fender skirts are off but come with the deal.
This Sport Fury has more dents and dents in it than the other one, but also less rust. While the floors are rusty and the quarter panels have previously been patched, there is no rust-through in the frame or unibody areas, just some sheet metal fixes. The trunk lid is rusty, but the floor of the trunk is okay. The gas tank was pulled due to rust and old fuel and that will have to been attended to. The glass is present and good. The seller has had it running and driven it around the yard, with the 383 having good oil pressure, no noises, leaks, or smoke, and the TorqueFlite automatic does shift. It has new brakes but old tires, good only for loading onto a trailer.
Blue Sport Fury
Unlike the white car, this one has few options and comes with manual steering, 4-speed manual transmission, manual brakes, manual windows, no factory air, no tilt wheel and no light package. That was unusual for a car like this, so it may have been special ordered. The tachometer is still with this car and the fender skirts are where they’re supposed to be. If this Plymouth was a dealer pace car, the color has been changed. It has fewer dents and dings in the body and trim and its brightwork is in good condition. But it looks as though the tin worm spent more time chewing on this car, with rust present in the floors, quarters and fenders. The interior has survived, but its quite weathered and worn.
The seller was also able to get this car’s 383 to run and drive around the property and the motor and tranny also seem to be in acceptable condition for what’s there. The brakes are shot on this car as well as the tires being ancient, so extreme caution will be needed when loading this one up. Like the other Sport Fury, this one has had its interior dyed black, too. Interesting parallel.
Both cars were intended to be restored as pace car replicas, but the seller has too many irons in the fire to take on their respective challenges. Perhaps the next owner will continue down that path or will try making one good car out of two. Either way, the two machines come with clear Florida titles. Several boxes of parts will come with the two Mopars, so maybe there is enough here to get a good start.
This could be his and hers Low Riders !
Honest and frank. None more so than the comment ‘not for the feint of heart’. Rare cars
The only Mopar convertible I ever liked. My next door neighbour had one with a 318 in it. If I were a Chrysler guy, I’d buy them both and restore them as decribed.
Where in Florida?
First the 4 speed was very rare in the fury. Also without the VIN number it is hard to say if they are 383 or 413, also the 383 came as a 2 barrel or 4 barrel. If interested I would want to see the Vin numbers. As far as the cars I would restore the white one because of the options but put the 4 speed in it.
That is a great price if it does not go too much higher. You could really make one great car here. One of the best and most accessible projects I’ve seen in a while, especially if you want to go with a clear-coat patina finish to save money. And with one running engine. If I lived near there you would hear me screaming, “Here, hold my beer”.
Description says “Lakeland” Jim Schatz. That’s central, East of Tampa, West of Orlando.