The Plymouth Sport Fury debuted in the late 1950s and could be thought of as the forerunner of the Chevy Impala Super Sport of the 1960s. The car would evolve over the next couple of decades, becoming a personal luxury auto like the Chrysler Cordoba. This 1978 edition looks to have been well-kept and shows 78,000 miles on the odometer. We’re told it’s “Super clean” so maybe all it needs is a new home. Located in Mercer, Pennsylvania, this Mopar is available here on craigslist for $8,900. Thanks for the heads up here, Pat L!
Following the increase in gas prices after the OPEC oil embargo in 1973, many buyers were flocking to smaller, more economical cars. But not all of them. The personal luxury sector was growing, witness the popularity of the 1973-77 “Colonnade” era of the Chevy Monte Carlo. Chrysler responded with the Cordoba, Dodge got the Charger Sport, and Plymouth repackaged its Sport Fury nameplate. The car may not have had “rich Corinthian leathers” like the Cordoba, but it would share a lot of other features.
In 1978, you could get your Sport Fury with a Slant-Six and even 360-400 cubic inch V8s, but a lot of the 13,000 built left the factory with a 318 paired with a TorqueFlite automatic, like the seller’s car. The body looks solid here and we’re told the frame and floors are good. The red paint may be fine with some detailing or it could be the lighting in the garage is off. What we can see of the interior seems to be okay, too. If you’ve been yearning for one of these 1970s cars, this might be one of the nicest ones left.
Sport Fury. Nice looks.
No mention of 2 or 4 barrel ? Deceptively heavy cars. 3800lbs, along with a 2.71 gear means a mellow machine.
Stan, in 1978 there was no question: As it had been since the 318 LA engine replaced the 318 Poly engine for 1967, the 318 was two barrel only. Four barrel versions came eventually, but not until the early to mid ’80s.
Family had the Coronet version 1975. 318 it wasn’t around long lean burn system issues wasn’t thrilling my dad.
Only 3 photos were posted on the Craigslist ad. What’s up with that?
I noticed that too. I think the seller isn’t eager to sell. He screwed the pooch on the description too.
Cruising down Broadway, “play that funky music!” at a high decibel, not too fast deliberately, laughin’ and sweet talking miss Farrah Fawcett wanna be, sitting close, Very close, ….awe shucks we need some more gas, , , I was in junior high at best in ’78 but it is enough. Enough for me to remember how simpler it was all around. For some reason I got a Stasky and Hutch vibe looking at this car. Has to be the color.. or the wheels. Maybe both.
I feel the starsky and hutch vibe
I had one of these. The ride was amazing. Pulled out the 318 and dropped in a 360. I sure miss that car.
These, and the virtually identical Dodge Coronet were the darlings of the rental and lease fleets in the day. Inexpensive to buy but met the needs of the corporate renter. When the Cordoba came out, some business renters were forbidden from driving them because a Chrysler was considered up market. But, the Magnum (and later Mirada) was OK even though it was essentially the same car but had a Dodge nameplate.
These were among my favourite cars back in the day…
I call the four-door versions Hazzard County police cars.
I have one of these, I’m 2nd owner from new
Interior on that one looks like mine, mine is more maroon than red. Mine is 318 column shift auto, 56k original miles and. No not for sale