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Droptop Project: 1966 Plymouth Sport Fury

Here is a car that most of us could probably restore if we had the willpower. Most of us have the skill and a lot of us would have the money to buy this 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury convertible that’s posted on Craigslist for $6,500. This example is located in Freehold, New Jersey. These are beautiful cars, hopefully this one can be saved. Thanks to B. Walters for emailing this Sport Fury to Barn Finds!

I know, $6,500 is not an insignificant amount of money. For some lucky people it’s a weekend getaway or even a really fancy lunch. I’m neither of those people but I could scrounge up $6,500 if I absolutely had to have this car. I’m a huge Plymouth Fury fan and other than the 1962 and 1969 Fury, the fourth-generation cars, especially the 1965 and 1966, are my favorites. The Sport Fury was the top of the line and a convertible Sport Fury was the top of the line top of the line! There was also a two-door hardtop Sport Fury but as they say, when the top goes down the hairpiece comes off. No wait, I mean, when the top goes down the price goes up. Hagerty is at an incredible $18,500 for a #4 fair condition Sport Fury convertible with a 383 V8! At $6,500 there’s a lot of work that can be done to this car to bring it up to a #4 level. This is potentially a good buy right here if a person were planning on doing a lot of the work him/herself.

The seller says, “I’ve had this car since 1985 and have come to the conclusion that I’m not going to to restore it. In earlier years, I’d start it occasionally and drive it up and down my street. Mostly garage-kept, recently started the engine after 20+ years, runs off gas can.” We’ve all been there, I have two Yamaha motorcycles that I haven’t driven or even started since 1986 and I’m not proud of it. This car has a 383 V8 but we don’t know if it’s the 270-hp 2-barrel version or the 325-hp 4-barrel version. Either way it’ll fry the rear tires on command. They say that the “Rear floor on passenger’s side rusted out” and you can see a little of the bodywork that’s needed in the two exterior photos. I’d want to ask for a heck of a lot more photos than just two if I were paying $1,500 to 2,000 in shipping (non-driving cars are not cheap to ship). But, back to everyone’s favorite Hagerty’s value system: they list a #3 good condition car as being worth $25,000. After shipping that leaves about $16,500 or so which is very doable if a person were doing the work in their own garage. Do you have the space in your garage or in your heart for this ’66 Sport Fury ragtop?

Comments

  1. Avatar Dirk

    No.

    Like 4
    • Avatar packrat

      If it were available locally for 1500-2250, it would be easy to talk yourself into biting off into investing your free time for the next four years. This is a little easier to say no to.

      Like 2
  2. Avatar Mark

    Unless you really enjoy doing the work yourself these can be found completed for $25k. Great style and a real sleeper. Love it.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar ken TILLY Member

    Magic drop top.Love it.

    Like 5
  4. Avatar rodk

    Talk about bringing back memories. Mine was a true barn find, it took me a whole day to get it out, once we cleared the area we put in fuel and a battery and drove it out. Mechanically it was in good condition so I could focus on the body work. I paid 4000cdn for it.
    The worst part of this is that it is extremely hard to get parts for it. Any replacement panels don’t fit well and take lots of mods to fit properly.Chrome trim is impossible to purchase.
    He is right as there were only 3418 made and most are gone. Guaranteed the trunk area will be totally rusted out, floorboards will be gone as well, all part of being a convertible. The good thing is that when you go to the car shows it is highly unlikely to see another one around.
    The granddaughters absolutely love driving around in it.

    Like 2
    • Avatar rodk

      Here is a pic of what it looked like when I got it home. I stripped it and had a body shop do the body work. When I got it back I reassembled it and am now enjoying it. It took just over one year to do.

      Like 2
      • Avatar On and On Member

        Beautiful car rodk. Nice job. Drive and enjoy.

        Like 1
  5. Avatar Steve R

    The lucky people that can afford to spend $6,500 on a weekend getaway or a really fancy lunch aren’t wasting their time on a car this rough. That’s one of the reasons why they can afford such luxuries, they don’t spend their money on a lost cause.

    Steve R

    Like 5
  6. Avatar Dan in Tx

    As the years roll on by, I wonder to whom a car like this speaks to anymore? Who still cares enough to bite off this project?

    Like 6
  7. Avatar Hide Behind

    This auto is after a time, 1964, when Sport Fury meant a full size car that pushed you back into the seat, while delivering interior upgrades over mom and pops sedans.
    Today these bloated autos make gas guzzling, wallowing, mediocre cruisers, and unless in perfect condition no one bothers with 2nd look.
    Was a time when the red, white and blue colors inside of hood ornament stood for “Go Power”, but beginning in 65 that was reserved for the smaller lighter autos.
    Worth fixing for resale, if your time is cheap, and not impatient you may get a decent return.
    The Book Value, is no more than a propaganda booster for the auction block folk, putting autos into retirement venues.
    This is type auto you get for 14 year old to work and have runnable and presentable for first drivers license, and sell for college money.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Gass Passer Member

      Huh? ……………..Do you buy Porsches buy chance?

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Rod

    I live in Australia wish we had cars like this for that money the cost of getting it here would make it to dear . Hope someone buys and would like to see this and some of the other barm finds when finished.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Rube Goldberg Member

    A ’65 ex-state patrol car like this guy across the alley bought, was the 1st, ( and now that I think of it, with possible exception in the AH 100-6, speedo bouncing badly ) and the only time I went 120 mph ( with certified speedo!!) I think these Sport Fury ragtops were the top of the line for Plymouth. Lot of work, but can you picture yourself barreling across the desert at 100 mph with the top down? This baby would do it.

    Like 4
  10. Avatar Femi

    440 engine may have sparked some interest.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Pete in PA

    I love the 66 Fury and I mean LOVE it. Dad bought a new Fury III wagon in April of 66 which probably got me hooked on them and my first car was a 66 SF 2DHT with 125k miles. I did so much stuff to that I car I got to know them inside and out, up, down, and every other direction possible. I flat towed a 66 Fury III convertible home from Philadelphia in 1982 and made it into my own SF convertible with the help of several parts cars, the 440 from a 71 Imperial, and the 4-speed from a 69 Road Runner. I still have the clone stashed in a barn but I’m rapidly approaching the stage of life that this guy is at.
    Having said all that I look at this offering and think it’s overpriced x2. It’s gonna need EVERYTHING and trim is very hard to find. Plus it’s a low option car.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar BRAKTRCR

    At 16 or 17 years old, a friends parents car was a 65 Fury I . It was 4 doors and slant 6, but hey we were mobile. Driving anything then was better than a bicycle. Wee both ended up working at different Gas Staions and would come and visit each other at work. Sine ALL Gas Stations had racks in those days, my friend, anxious to get that slant 6 to light up the right rear tire, snugged up the left rear brakes, and loosened the right rear, just to see if would break the right tire loose on a brake torque. Nope, wasn’t gonna happen. Wait… we are at a gas station… let’s put some oil on the ground… yep that did it. Clouds of smoke from that right rear tire. Back on the rack, reajusted the brakes… glad his Dad never found out.

    Like 3
  13. Avatar Jim Kirkland

    OK, it’s a 66 Plymouth, and your
    entire article refers to it as a 65
    Plymouth? Do you do ANY proof-
    reading AT ALL?!?

    Like 0
  14. Avatar scottymac

    Make a ’65 Indy pace car replica?

    http://www.use.com/images/s_2/1965_Plymouth_Sport_Fury_Indy_500_Pace_Car_Conv_5e35ea316355555716ac_1.jpg

    Jim Clark won Indy that year in a Ford powered Lotus. The winner gets the pace car as part of the winner’s package, but Ford didn’t want Clark to be seen driving a Plymouth. Supposedly, Ford paid Clark for the pace car, then scheduled the build of a right hand drive Ford of Canada Galaxie that Clark could drive in Scotland. Things got delayed so badly, there’s another story that Clark ended up with a ’66 7 Litre (428) Galaxie. Never able to validate that , but know some years back Colin Chapman’s family was seeking help to get his ’65 Galaxie running again.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Troy s

    For me it’s those earlier Fury’s and other mopars that were used in stock and super stock drag racing that really grab my attention, and the names plastered on the side in big letters.. candymatic, Melrose missle, color me gone…numerous others that were as colorful as the cars themselves, and there were a lot of ’em. This one here isn’t bad and could be turned into something nice, but it doesn’t grab me like one of those earlier models. Not too bad of a price , especially compared to that rust bucket of a barracuda posted today!😐

    Like 0
  16. Avatar BOP Guy Member

    This is actually one of my favorite models from Plymouth! Whenever I see one on BF’s or elsewhere, I stop in my tracks and check it out. I have just always loved the styling on these two year only Fury’s. If it was here in California, I’d think of giving a lowball offer and see where it goes. But with a Buick Skylark convertible in the garage currently up on jack stands, replacing the brakes and some suspension components, and this Fury being 3000 expensive transport miles away, I unfortunately have to pass. But I really want one of these at some point!

    Like 0
  17. Avatar olddavidp

    I understood your comment completely. Complexity was not a feature of these Chryslers and to me that is a strong attribute. I think this even had torsion bars, yes?

    Like 2
  18. Avatar Johnmloghry

    At the end of the day you’ve still got a mopar, no thanks.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Maestro1

    These cars are strong and stylish. Another deep pocket project unless you do your own work. Yes I’d buy it but I have no room.

    Like 0
  20. Avatar TriPowerVette

    I have spoken to the owner today. He seems like an earnest person, with lousy marketing skills. I told him what everybody here knows is needed, in order to make a decision (pix, description more than 3-4 sentences). He seemed to genuinely understand and indicated that he would try to get some soon. I will update this, when there is more info.

    Like 1
    • Avatar TriPowerVette

      I’ve heard or read nothing more from the owner.

      That pretty much says it all.

      I’m out.

      Like 0
  21. Avatar George

    1966 it is, here’s the one I had.

    Like 2
  22. Avatar Moparmann Member

    This is the one that i had. Recently passed on to a younger nephew. :-)

    Like 4
    • Avatar BOP Guy Member

      She’s a beauty!

      Like 1
  23. Avatar Alexander Member

    Both great pics. I’ll take either black coupe over that bashed red convertible any day. My guess is, Moparmann and George, you wouldn’t part with those cars if you were approached.

    PS “Moparmann and George,” wasn’t that a action movie featuring a slobbering police dog?

    Like 0
  24. Avatar Drew

    So, I bought this car 🙂… here are some answers to your wondering… it is a 383 2 barrel total of 2 rust holes in floors passenger rear floor, one fist size under top on driver side. Came with a complete set of perfect side chrome. Car runs beautiful it needed a new tank.
    I have upgraded engine with a 284/484 cam dual quads and electronic ignition.. new rubber on the original magnum wheels up graded rear to a posi… I have purchased all the parts to make it beautiful again body work on this car will be easy as it is pretty straight…previous body repairs dont seem to be hiding too much ..

    Like 2
    • Avatar BRAKTRCR

      Sounds like you were the right one to get this car. Also sounds like you have it all set to cruise in style. Would love to see an AFTER picture

      Like 0

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