Chrysler scored a major hit with the “Forward Look” styling of its 1957-59 automobiles, especially the Plymouths. A shift to unibody construction in 1960-61 brought a reversal in good looks, producing some of the most awkwardly designed cars of the era. The seller has a 1961 Fury sedan, which appears to be held captive in a shed of some sort in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and its ability to run or not isn’t brought up. It’s largely solid cosmetically, so perhaps a refresh won’t be too extensive or costly. The asking price here on Facebook Marketplace is $6,000 OBO, but there is no title. Our appreciation goes to T.J. for this Mopar tip!
The 1960 Plymouth Fury took the tailfins of the 1950s to new extremes, and the vehicle looked more like a fish than a car (IMO). For 1961, designer Virgil Exner took a chainsaw and lopped them off, yet that change didn’t make the cars any more attractive. Plymouth still managed to produce 356,000 automobiles in 1961, but the new Valiant compact was the only saving grace. While Chevy sold hundreds of thousands of Impalas and Ford had a similar experience with its Galaxie 500, Plymouth could only peddle 60,000 copies of the Fury.
We’re told this ’61 Fury 4-door sedan ran when it was parked, but we don’t know how long ago that was. Given all of the stuff piled on top of and around the car, that may have been months or even years. The Plymouth has its original 318 cubic inch V8, which is paired with a push-button automatic transmission. It came with fairly rare factory air conditioning with the vents located on top of the dashboard.
The Fury is said to be nearly rust-free, and the body is straight after 64 years. Most of the trim pieces have survived, as well. The interior is also said to be clean, but it does have a lot of stuff piled inside, and the upholstery is torn in places. Because these cars didn’t sell as well as the competition, finding survivors or projects today isn’t easy. We assume the title is MIA as the buyer will only receive a bill of sale when the cash and keys are exchanged. 1961 Plymouths – do you love ‘em or hate ‘em?
I, myself have a ’61 4 door Plymouth Belvedere in the same color scheme that has factory AC as well. Initially, I wasn’t crazy about the look but over time, it has grown on me and now like it very much. To each his own, I guess.
New Mexico requires a title notarized by the seller to transfer title, that on top of the high price for a non-running car this should be a hard pass. Four weeks on the market suggests there aren’t a lot potential buyers aren’t lining up.
Steve R
Oooh it’s going to be hard to find a replacement windshield, unless the seller has one to include.
My grandmother had one of these Plymouths. Even as a ten year old I thought it was the ugliest car I had ever seen.
A neighbor had one in baby blue, as ugly as an Edsel. Surprised this car didn’t kill the brand.
Richard my dear man. “Ugly as an Edsel.”? Aaw come on. From an early age I kept hearing this and only because of the Horse Collar on the front. I feel if Ford kept hearing the dislike people had for it then why not offer a redesign for the customers who newly own one and a redesign for the current run and maybe extending the run for that year. People said the car itself was ahead of it’s time and a few years later it would have blended in with that body style. The other two years didn’t bode well for the Edsel and I believe the naysayers couldn’t /wouldn’t let it go. Off topic I know but being a forum for older cars, I felt it could’t hurt. I have noticed cars with a similar grill but on a smaller design. Sorry Richard, someone has to stick up for them. Now, I must agree that this year of the topic car is worthy of the “UGLY” moniker.- John.
So ugly it’s kind of cool. Notice I said “,kind of”.
“Awkwardly designed” is a good, accurate description. This one, a 4-dr. sedan in need of paint, windshield, taillight lens, bumper straightening & not running, is seriously over-priced.
Sorry but I suspect that poor old Plymouth will remain captive for decades to come. $6000? That car has so little to offer and the price is out of left field. Good luck rehoming that neglected sedan.
Is the rocking chair in the back seat included in the sale? That would be great because you could sit in it while you admire the awesome beauty of your new acquisition. Same question about the suitcase sitting on the roof. By golly I think it’s a Samsonite! Seriously though you wanna sell the thing and you can’t take twenty minutes to get rid of the flotsam and jetsam? Non runner, no title and a busted windshield. Just a few of the headaches facing the new owner. And a bunch of the stainless looks like someone polished it with a hammer. Good luck sourcing replacement pieces. There’s reasons why the listing is almost a month old. Sorry, I know I’m being mean. I really do hope someone buys it and gets it back on the road because I don’t remember the last time I actually saw one of these motivational. So GLWTS.
Well, I hadn’t looked at the windshield photo. Unlike the Mercury Turnpike Cruise, this one is really broken to the point of no drive with it. Did anyone else see the news story last week about a woman who called 911? An American eagle was seen flying off with a cat, but the cat had not given up. The eagle released the cat which fell through the woman’s windshield, luckily through the passenger side. The cat was dead, but she was unharmed. And that story reminds me of driving behind a PA State Trooper on the NE extension of PA Turnplike. He hit a wild turkey that went through his windshield. He did pull over. This was some years back. I can’t remember if it was near Thanksgiving, but what to do with the turkey?
Drink it neat, water back.
Stuff that turkey with the cat, and you have a tur-cat, which you deep fry for 45 minutes and serve with cranberry sauce and a side of kibbles-and-bits.
Yuk, no thanks! Maybe I could feed it to the Coyotes around here. I can’t imagine that even one of the neighborhood. Mountain lions would be interested.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL THE BARN FINDERS FAMILY!
no papers for 6k. no way. not 6k worth of parts here
I remember reading about a small town Plymouth Dealer seeing what was coming for 1961, and ended up dumping plymouth and becoming a Ford or Chevy dealer because he thought the ’61s were so hideous.
If you think the ’61 was hideous, the ’62 and ’63 were far worse, in my opinion.
Not in my opinion. I like the ’62s and ’63s. 1960 and ’61s were the worst.
Not in my opinion. I like the ’62s and ’63s. 1960 and ’61s were the worst. Plymouth and Dodge!
If you think the ’61 was hideous, the ’62 and ’63 were far worse, in my opinion.