Even though the full-size 1961 Plymouths looked nothing like the 1960 editions, they rode on the same unibody platform with nothing more than new sheet metal. The 1960 models didn’t sell well, and the 1961s even less with their “sci-fi” look of a monster from a B-grade Japanese horror flick. This ’61 Fury convertible was running at one point, but not recently, and the old red paint reflects a color change from white. As a restoration project, this one will keep you busy and running to the bank, and you can find it in Litchfield, Connecticut. The asking price here on Facebook Marketplace is $4,500.
The tailfins on the 1960 Plymouths were probably around a year too long. The Fury had become the top line series above the Belvedere and Savoy models. The awkward appearance of the 1961 Plymouths kept buyers away, as did the “plucked chickens” of 1962 when Chrysler downsized the Dodges and Plymouths due to bad competitive intelligence. The saving grace for Plymouth in those years may have been the Valiant compact, which carried some of the sales load, even though their styling was equally strange.
We’re unsure of the V8 that resides under the hood of this extremely well-worn Mopar. It could be either a 318, 361, or 383 cubic inch motor. Chrysler aficionados should be able to pick up on which one right away. At a claimed 78,000 miles, whatever engine is there is paired with the push-button automatic transmissions that the company employed through 1964. We’re told this was a strong runner when it was parked, but who knows what it will need now, though the seller boasts a new set of tires.
These unibody Plymouths were prone to rust, and this one no doubt has its share. The interior is toast as the canvas convertible top appears to be long gone. That red set of seats would have contrasted nicely with the vehicle’s original white paint. Though not pictured as such, we’re told the Fury is under cover now, so perhaps that will prevent Mother Nature from claiming her before you take possession. Out thanks to Dennis House for the tip!
Car 54 where are youuuuuu???,,,probably where most of us had seen the ’61 Plymouth. It made a good police car in that, it just looked mean. Hardly the premise for the show, a corny rendition of a policeman’s life, what better car than a ’61 Plymouth? My old man had one, a wagon, pulled our campers early on, but generally, one didn’t see too many. Miserable build quality, and we were told not to sit by the doors, as they would pop open on big bumps. I think all car makers were grappling with quality issues, Plymouth I heard was the worst. Demand for cars was just too great.
I know it looks rough, almost too rough, but in 1961, someone shelled out close to $3700 bucks for this car, almost $1500 more than a Belvedere, it was the most expensive Plymouth. Almost 207,000 1961 Plymouths were sold, down some from previous years, but only about 7,000 convertibles. If you could get past the styling, they were really good cars, I simply can’t see anyone restoring this today.
Of all the Detroit full size cars in 1961, the Plymouth had the best styling. Not sure why they have such a negative rap. This one unfortunately is pretty much a parts car.
I love the slightly canted front headlights. Not as heavy as the 61 Chrysler canted headlights
“We’re unsure of the V8 that resides under the hood of this extremely well-worn Mopar. It could be either a 318, 361, or 383 cubic inch motor.”
Distributor is in the back, so 318. On the 361, 383 (and 413) the distributor is in front.
The local Plymouth/Chrysler dealer was an aggressive type and kept the region full of new cars, especially station wagons. A lot of us boomer families were at the point where the step up was necessary. 1961 was the year that happened, and was profitable to everyone in the car business. Unfortunately, a convertible in the Chinook Belt, would be about as common as a Sno-Cat in FL.
A convertible was always an attention-getter, no matter who built it.
Our family dentist, had a ‘60 Pontiac Bonneville convertible. A lawyer in my uncle’s firm drove a ‘62 Impala and I can safely say that there were less than a dozen more convertibles within earshot. Anyway, a Plymouth convertible, like any other convertible, would’ve been quite a novelty.
Anyways, this car, I doubt if it would make it to my place, but it should be a desirable addition to someone’s collection.
Incidentally, that’s a 318 Poly under the hood; the 361 and 383 had the distributor in the front…
1961 was the last year for chassis, 62 was first for unibody
Roland: 1960 was the year ALL Chrysler divisions got unibody, with the exception of Imperial, which got it in `67. So this `61 is a unibody.
Not to be “that guy”, but for the sake of accuracy, while unitized, C-bodies got bolt on front stub frames while the A’s and B’s were fully unit construction with only the K frame assembly bolted in.
People just don’t understand the 61 Plymouth. I think its striking. The rear deck is a flying wedge…..in essence a massive horizontal fin. Trust me, take another look with a critical eye. I love mine.
I also love it, Joe. Not really this one, it is fairly well-roached. Better pictures might show more potential.
lot of rot and even 1 of the taillight housings is rotted. i am sure no sheet metal is made for this so it would need to be hand made. too much money needed for a not so popular convert. buy it done. this is 1k parts car
I agree, unfortunately. Too bad, because I actually think this might be a good driver even with the attention getting “patina”. Well, this car would be attention getting also if restored. The seller has items like this car in CT but also in FL. A deal might be had with a buyer who is handy doing his own floor replacements and more. I can see Derek of Vice Grip Garage cleaning this out, adding some temporary sheet metal, tuning it, adding some foam to the driver seat and an Indian blanket, redoing brakes and driving to TN. Woops, no top!
Well, you could always finds a two door parts car sedan and cut out the appropriate sections. I have restored worse
All I know is I had a 61 two door 318 automatic right after high school and I loved that car. Till I flipped it on its side doing 65 and ground that side off, a truck driver came by and helped me flip it on its wheels and I drove it home.
I don’t remember these from 1961, but I like them now! Especially the front!
As bizarre as the styling might be to some, I actually liked the looks of them. It’s sad to see the reality of how far the condition of a car can sink after comparing this to the beautifully restored white one in the photo. It looks like a pack of rabid dogs went to work on the seats. Just seeing the amount of rust showing in the photos is telling me this one is pretty much a goner by the looks of it.
Call me crazy, a half a dozen years or so I thought this front end design was fugly!
Maybe it’s my age or maybe it’s just that the auto industry does not take chances anymore. I get there have been some ugly rides out of Detroit, but this Plymouth styling has grown on me.
It’s so different it’s cool!
My grandfather and I always had Cadillacs but he had a 61 Belvedere as his junker car.
It had an oval steering wheel. The rear view mirror was on the dash so a third person in the front would obstruct the view.
The E brake shoes squeezed and locked the driveshaft(like a park) but did not work so we carried wheel chocks on a rope. Later the reverse went out and we made the chocks long and steep
so we could drive up on them and hit the N button and coast back. The speedo was cool with the red lines going up each 5 mph.
Everyone called it “The Blue Bomber”.
Paid $100.00 for it and sold it for the engine,15 years later for $500.00.
It was very deceiving. When he bought it, he removed the 318 and dropped in a 440!
I still have the tail and reverse lights and many other parts