In 1970, machismo was all the rage at Mopar. The Plymouth division had Road Runners, GTXs, Duster 340s, Cudas, hemi this, hemi that, and hemi the other thing. Even the big car, the Fury series, such as today’s Gran Coupe edition, got in on the tough stuff with its bold, bruiser-style fuselage body, sporting a pair of hood power bulges. Our Park Ridge, Illinois, subject, a find courtesy of Hans H., is looking a bit rough around the edges, but let’s dig in and study this fairly rare Plymouth. Those interested will find it here on Facebook Marketplace, where it’s available for $4,500.
Big cars sold in ’70, and Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth knocked themselves out for market dominance. Chevy brought the Impala to the fight while Ford relied on its tried and true Galaxie. Not to be outdone, Plymouth unleashed a slew of Furys, including the Fury I, II, III, Sport Fury, a full-on performance number known as the Sport Fury GT, and more docile, all-about-the-looks S/23. At mid-year, the upscale, high-trim Gran Coupe was introduced, and it was in fact a coupe in that it possessed a B-pillar. With only 7,800 produced, it was essentially a one-and-done despite the model returning in ’71, but this time as a two-door hardtop, sans the B-pillar. Earth tones were the thing in ’70, and this Grand Fury is wearing a faded version of Walnut Metallic. So, we’ve got a dented body, rusted-out quarter panels, missing trim, and a top that appears to have been sprayed black as opposed to wearing the patterned vinyl top that would have originally graced this Fury. The “star” mag wheels, which seem to have too deep an offset for a car like this, are definitely a trip down memory lane.
Nothing like duct tape upholstery, especially when the driver’s seat has been totally mumified with the stuff – I’d say it’s rather remarkable. Beyond that, the remainder, other than the speaker-cut door panels, looks OK. This is an A/C equipped Plymouth, but a non-operational status wouldn’t surprise me, as there appear to be no pressure lines attached to the compressor. The heater core has been bypassed, too.
The big news is the 440 CI “RB” V8 engine currently occupying the engine room. In its original form, it would have pumped out 350 gross HP, but all that’s said about it now is, ” Motor does run. Car drives. Needs water pump gasket.” Other than the open-element air cleaner, it shows as being stock and original. A TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission backs up the big V8.
I’ve always had a thing for full-size Detroit iron, and a rare, big-engined model like this Gran Coupe is all the more enticing. This example, however, well, it needs help. It’s a doable project, but it’s probably going to take someone with a special interest in big Mopars to tackle this Fury. OK, that’s all I got; anyone interested in taking this Plymouth on?
Somebody drove off the lot smiling in this big Plymouth back in 1970. 🏁