Chrysler products for 1957-59 set the U.S. auto industry on its ear from a styling perspective. But the refresh of 1960 took the “Forward Look” to somewhat awkward proportions and the result was fewer sales. This 1960 Fury sport coupe is an older restoration that has been largely dormant for the past 25 years. Some work has been done to get it running again, but more is needed. This impressive Mopar is now in Wahoo, Nebraska, and available from a dealer here on eBay where the bidding has reached $16,200. But the reserve is unmet and a Buy It Now option is provided at $26,000.
The big news at Chrysler in 1960 would have been the launch of the compact Valiant. In its first year, it was not branded by division, but built by Dodge and sold by Plymouth before officially becoming a Plymouth in 1961. The advent of the car helped sales, but not enough as Plymouth would slip to 4th place in industry production behind American Motors. The styling cues of 1957-59 were exaggerated in 1960, especially in terms of the rear fins, and the cars became something of a caricature of the popular machines of three years before.
Plymouth dropped the Sport Fury model in 1960, so the Fury was again the top-of-the-line and they sold 18,079 2-door hardtops like the seller’s car. The seller discovered this Mopar at a local mechanic’s shop where it had been left years before. Said mechanic got the car running by giving it a tune-up, installing a new gas tank and fuel lines, and some new brakes. But the tires, belts, and hoses are ancient, so the buyer will have to take care of those items (and potentially others).
The body and paint look exceptionally good thanks to a restoration that’s estimated to have happened in the 1980s. There is a little rust on the rear floorboards, but that seems to be about it. The white over red paint looks great as does the matching interior with swivel front seats. The engine is the base 318 cubic inch V8 which is paired with a push-button 2-speed automatic transmission. Side pipes were installed but were never hooked up, so they’re mostly for looks. The radio may be the only other item that is not 1960 vintage.
Given that these cars used unibody construction and were prone to rust, just how many of these finned wonders are bound to exist after 63 years, at least in this kind of condition? This car is going to get looks wherever it goes and rightly so as this Plymouth is a prime example of when automobiles were built to be different, not duplicates of one another that are hard to distinguish like today’s automobiles.
If any car ever looked it like it was a customized ride *after* it left the factory, but didn’t, this one is it!
One could argue that other single elements offered from the factory *look* customized – the grille of a ’50 Buick, the rear edge of the roof of a ’58 Impala, etc.
But it seems the whole car is that way! No hate (or love) here, just an observation.
I had a BLACK/BLACK/BLACK in high school. Loved it then, Love It still. One of MOPARS finest. 383 Dad showed me how to speed shirt the push buttons.
Good Dad to teach you that. I taught my daughter Erin the same thing.
Car with personality.
Text with good placements.
Thank you Mr.Russ.
“Suddenly IT IS 1960!”
Not the car for you if you’re an introvert.
Live and learn…I didn’t know the 2 spd Powerflyte tranny was still available in 1960. I am always the odd duck in that I still love the 1960 offerings from Chrysler. I think the 1960 Dodge Dart was a pure work of stylistic art and the Plymouth only a little less so. But, tongue in cheek here I absolutely love the ‘Land Shark’ monograms….so fitting.
Actually 1961 was the last year for the Powerflite.
Now THAT’S what I call “FINS”!
Have to paa. I am looking for something with bigger tailfins.
Your only option might be a ’59 Caddy.
61 Imperial fins were higher than the 59-60 Cads.
Favorite year Plymouth, 60.
Color combos. Other color combos I really like, 58 Edsel, 59 Dodge.
All tri-tone combos.
You could order a car that would be one only back then.
Nothing today interests me since 1971
I believe the ‘lakes pipes’ are installed for an
added dimension of custom and were never
intended to be functional. For my taste they
detract from the vehicle’s overall beauty…
Thinkin’ I could enjoy the heck outta this one
even with its abundance red inside and out.
Crap tail pipes leads me to believe many corners were cut during the ‘restoration'(?) and maintenance….
Absolutely love it! And that speedometer pod is 100% cool!
I prefer the Christine model years, thank you.
This one looks even more over the top, if that’s possible.
I’ve grown to really appreciate these cars after watching Cold War Motors on youtube completely redo one of these. It’s definitely worth the watch if you’re into 1960 Fury’s.
Car looks OK to me but looking at the engine video I see no power steering pump hmmm manual steering big car
It should come with a case of toilet paper for $26k.
One of my props at the car show (in addition to the drive-in window tray, fake food, etc) would be a freestanding toilet paper holder at the rear of the car.
because of the faux spare tire cover (a.k.a. toilet seat) on the deck lid?
….and a bound & gagged “Timeout” doll in there too.
Here is a really good playlist of combining a fairly good Fury frame with a fairly good Fury body, the result is worth the watch! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3naAFlKUN6ch8jaT92XqbsNxUNW5RqNH
Beautiful cars in their own right. Even this one with the “Overly Exaggerated” tail fins. Still cool. Even Elvis Presley was still in full swing. I would definitely do a mild restoration and get this beauty to cruising status! NO “Pristine,should be in a museum” restoration, just an awesome cool, cars and coffee cruiser. The only way to do that is to buy it for 14k-16k. Tops. If a person buys it for even 20k, you could easily get in trouble. Good luck, it’s a great car!
@Sam61
You wrote: “It should come with a case of toilet paper for $26k.”
And a dozen eggs!
Surprised that no one has mentioned that the ENTIRE interior is done in ‘owner’s choice’ materials and design. It need the seats, door panels, etc. to be restored to original, not to what your upholsterer had sitting on his shelf!! A complete waste of money on the inside!
Roger that Chuck. Kind of sad considering how much kewl mid-century personality came with the *correct* 60 Plymouth Fury interior!
Reason was probably that they got this ‘manager’s-choice’ fabric job for muchhh cheaper than oem-correct repro job from SMS repro would cost…
Yes, definitely something I wouldn’t call restored ; the whole interior is wrong !
How much for one of the “ear bras” advertised on the shop window? Might come in handy during February if they are fur or beaver lined.
Peter Gunn drives a convertible!
Reminds me of the car used (beaten) by the hooligans in the original ‘In the Heat of the Night’ movie (with Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger). Think it was also red..
Had a red convertible. These are truly unique in design, but mechanics like brakes and other items make them a pain for heavy use. It use to amaze me how much change occurred from 60 to 61 as I had both at the same time. The 60 was no cream puff and ultimately sat for ions until I scraped it about 12 years ago. I did keep the square steering wheel and trunk wheel thing. Great stand out styling from a time when the pens ran free in Detroit.
This car has the Chrysler deck lid “toilet seat” as my old man used to call them.
I wouldn’t call this restored in any sense of the word ! Basically it looks like someone upholstered the seats and door panels in velour and threw a poor resale red spray job on it – door strikers and dome light switches painted over , body and trunk seals are dry rotted, trunk lid insulation covered in overspray , and original engine bay is so-so , and there’s damaged moldings on the car as well. As my dad used to say, its a 60-40 car – at 60 miles an hour and 40 feet away it looks great !