While the Plymouth Gran Fury made a fine family sedan during the mid-eighties, it was also a popular choice for law-enforcement agencies, with this 1984 model spending its formative years as part of the Idaho Highway Patrol fleet. However, with the nicely preserved condition this one remains in, it probably didn’t spend an excessive amount of time chasing down too many bad guys. The Mopar eventually made its way east and is now on a ranch in Lander, Wyoming.
Beginning in 1984, the fender tag code designating a police package on an M-Body became AHB, which can be spotted on the first tag here. For earlier models, Chrysler used A38, so finding this information under the hood or on a build sheet of a Gran Fury or corporate cousin Dodge Diplomat indicates that it’s probably worth pursuing. It’s important here to focus on the production year, as after 1983, the A38 code was revised to represent a six-cylinder engine.
The 360 remained available for the police package here until 1984, according to Allpar, although this one is equipped with a 318. A two and 4-barrel carburetor were both available, with the latter on top here, along with a host of other goodies to keep the small block healthy during hard use. A trio of fluid coolers includes units for the oil, power steering, and the rugged 727 TorqueFlite transmission.
Looking inside, I’m guessing this one was probably acquired for and used mostly for detective-type work, as the interior appears to be in better shape and more civilian-oriented than I’d expect from a full-time pursuit car. Although the dash is covered, the pad underneath is described as mint, but the steering wheel has a chunk of material torn off near the top. Both seats are still in excellent shape or may have gotten some new upholstery, and the rear passenger area doesn’t show a lot of tell-tale signs that it’s transported very many misbehaving lawbreakers.
The seller says the outside is clean and free from rust, a claim that the photos seem to back up, though there’s no word on whether this one ever displayed any law enforcement markings or if it’s always been dressed in plain clothes as it is now. I could see this one making a fun weekend cruiser, or perhaps even a daily driver, and if you’re feeling the same it can be found here on eBay, where the seller has set the buy-it-now price at $9,200. What are your thoughts on this 1984 AHB-packaged Plymouth Gran Fury being offered here?
“Plain Brown Wrapper” and blue interior seems odd. Would make a great “surprise” to Camaro/Mustang drivers.
The last year the 360 engine was available in any Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge car, Police or otherwise, is 1980. The first year of Police package availability of M body Diplomat and Gran Fury cars is 1981. A slant 6 was available through 1983. Starting in ’84 the 318 is the only engine offered in these cars, in a 2 barrel or four-barrel version. The four-barrel engine uses an intake manifold and cylinder heads from the 360, as well as other endurance features.
I had 5 or 6 of these in the early 90s. The guy down the road was a mechanic for the Columbus police department. I was told by him that they came up for sale when the repairs met the initial cost of the vehicle. I got some good ones for $ 200.00 needing a transmission. I preferred the 2bbl version as they had a 3.23 sure grip rear. All the 4bbls were a 2.40 something rear. I found it easier to mess with a motor than the huge corporate rear end. I was told the 2bbls were in town cars. The 4bbls were hi way, pursuit vehicles. I loved the toggle switch in the glove box that killed the rear taillights, even the brake lights didn’t work when it was in stealth mode. My favorite of any cop car I ever owned. I had crown vic’s, and caprice 9c1s. The 95-96 9c1 was a very close 2nd. I had 9c1 and Gran Fury undercover vehicle. No holes in the bodies for antennas and sirens. The Furys I owned were white with blue interiors and black rubber floor mats and black cop car wheels and dog dish hub caps. They handled great and with good tires they would give anywhere.
Steelies and dog dishes, nice rake, and in nice shape. V-8 and RWD – What’s not to like? Would DD this May through November and enjoy every minute of it. Beautiful, understated vehicle! I miss Plymouth…
Love it. Look at the stance and square lines. All business from Plymouth. Stiffer suspension. Just as soon have the 4V 318 over the 360 anyways. Triple coolers and Torq-flite is gold. Bet its got long legs, I’d shorten up the rear gear ⚙️, dual exhaust, and cruise 😎 🚨
Was thinking the same thing with the rear gears. Probably great on the highway. If I remember correctly when I had my 1981 Chrysler 5th Ave with a 318 it cruised at 55mph at like 1,800rom, according the the JC Whitney tach I had. Not the best tach but whatever. Dunno if this car has the same gear set up. Was not so hot off the line but highway was good. (My 318 was modded with a Weiand d/p intake and Holley 600cfm carb, not the stock Lean Burn system.)
It has dual exhaust.
Fun little toy for someone but that is a lot of money for what I personally would do with it, because I would take the power train and drop it in a late 40s early 50s Dodge truck.
I drove an ‘82 Gran Fury as a cop. 318 CID and I suspect a 2 bbl as it was a pooch, speed-wise. Sounded great when you put your foot in the carburetor. We had two Gran Furies, 2 ‘80 Malibus with 350/4 bbl and those two would fly. And we had a couple of plain Dodge Aspens that couldn’t get out of their own way. We had five officers to a shift, four patrol officers and a supervisor. The supes claimed dibs on one Gran Fury and it whoever got the keys first as to who drove what of the others. Before we got the Gran Furies, the senior people fought over the Malibus. The Lt and Sgt got over the Gran Furies pretty quick and we peons got to drive them after that.
Yes, this would be an awesome daily driver.
Looks like it’s ready to go.
Or you could go find yourself a modern suv with a whole overload of computers for 4x the money that blends right in to the tarmac.
These things would’ve been rocket ships with a 440 in them. Maybe when we get a house of our own, my
SIL might let me build one provided
I can find a decent basket case as a
starting point. Almost bought an ’88
Fran Fury from an ex BIL til my father
told me that these cars had fuel pressure issues due to the two fuel
pressure valves they had on them.
One, he said, was up by the throttle
body, while the other was mounted in
a hard to get to place in one of the
frame rails. Any comments from the
MoPar guys out there?