For most of the 1980s, the Plymouth Gran Fury (and its badge-equivalent, the Dodge Diplomat) was often seen in police or taxi garb. That’s because they were reasonably sized cars that were inexpensive to buy and still available with a V8 engine. This 1984 edition was owned by the same family until the seller bought it two years ago. The car has traveled less than 30,000 miles in total and can be found in Waco, Texas. Available here on eBay, the current (no reserve) bid is $6,006.06.
The Fury nameplate was in play at Plymouth beginning in the 1950s. It bounced around from full-size to mid-size and by the end of its life, it was similar in dimensions to the Volare compact. The modified M-platform was used not only on the Gran Fury and Diplomat but also on the upscale Chrysler Fifth Avenue. When it was retired in 1989, it was the last rear-wheel drive car to carry a Plymouth badge until the Prowler in 1998. These Plymouths and Dodges shared almost everything, so it was hard to tell them apart sitting next to one another.
This Gran Fury was one of about 14,500 built in 1984. The seller has had it since 2022 and has replaced the tires and shock absorbers (with such low mileage, it must have sat around a lot). With a 318 cubic inch V8, the biggest available, this vehicle is said to run and drive great and should need nothing. The body, paint, and matching interior all look to be in top shape.
One odd thing is that the seller says this car has no muffler – and he/she likes the sound of it. That would be loud as hell to me and would be the first thing I’d rectify upon buying. Maybe switch to dual exhaust that would present some sort of low rumble. The Plymouth does have maintenance records and other items that go back to its roots. If you’re looking for an affordable rear-wheel-drive V8 that will remind you of the 1970s and 1980s, this could be the one (assuming that’s a good thing)!
These always stir up some ghosts for me. During my heyday as an outlaw trucker, a car like this in your mirrors was the definition of paranoia. They were never this nice, and no spotlight indicated a detective or big shot, relegated to crime scenes, and such. Overweight trucks, not so much. Great cars, and generally bought by folks that had some police connection, and knew if the cops used them, they had to be good, and they were. Some of the last holdouts to RWD, and the last passenger car to be made in Kenosha. I don’t know if I should give a thumbs up or a middle finger. Just kidding, I have the utmost respect for LEOs, and it kept me out of trouble all these years and I broke every rule that would bend.
Yessir Howard, the Diplomats, Gran Furys, and Caravelle ghost 👻 cars somehow always seemed the most sneaky. 🚨
You nailed it. I’m a retired cop and I get paranoid when what I think is a cruiser gets behind me.
I remember going to the new car show with my dad in the mid 1980s and having a dealer tell us that he’d sold one of these in two years that wasn’t a fleet car.
I remember going to the new car show with my dad in the mid 1980s and having a dealer tell us that he’d sold one of these in two years that wasn’t a fleet car.
These were tanks. A late friend had two for daily drivers (not sure why he needed two, but his friends, including me, made chrysler reliability jokes behind his back). His other cars included 4 gm a body 4 speed muscle cars. A Buick GS, a 64 Olds 442, and two GTOs. He knew a great car when he saw one. RIP Harry.
The upscale Chrysler Fifth Avenues (had 83 and 85) were one of the best reworking jobs ever. Formal styling, comfortable, reliable, roomy and so plush! They could hold their own with other luxury vehicles I have owned. One of Iacocas big mistakes was dropping RWDs. One of my biggest mistakes was letting mine go.
I never rode in one of those Fifth Aves, but I did sit in a few, it was so comfortable. Back when luxury meant comfort, before they tried being mercedes and bmw.
Exactly! My late brother had several Mercedes. Never understood the mystique. Stiff, harsh riding, and to me ugly. Besides the Fifth Avenues, I’ve had numerous upscale vehicles (mostly pre owned) and always went for styling, luxury and elegance. Currently have beautiful low mileage 2007 Town Car Signature Limited. The last real American luxury sedans.
I hate when people don’t clean out their cars before listing them for sale!
Imagine what their house looks like.
I read once that people looking for renters for their property/home were told to walk up to the prospective renters car after they pulled up, so that they could look inside it to see how messy it was. A picture is worth a thousand words!
NORMA, love your house 🏰 on SUNSET BOULEVARD! But your photo looks more like Elizabeth Taylor! Both BIG stars, but the automobiles have gotten small! Happy New Year and good DAYS 🏰 from RICK DEMERIAKIS.
This has the lean burn ignition which would necessitate the use of high octane fuel. They knock like crazy otherwise.
The last car my dad bought to commute to work before he retired was a full-size Chrysler LeBaron sedan. Same basic car as the Gran Fury, Diplomat and Fifth Avenue. His had a Slant 6. Nice car. He drove it for several years then sold it to a friend who drove it several more.
Back when these cars were “everywhere” (not so long ago, for me), they always impressed me as “generic”-looking: if Sears and Roebuck had designed and built a vehicle meant to blend-in as “average”, this is about what it would have looked like. These were the very definition of cars intended to “blend-in” with typical styling trends of that era and NOT “make a statement”. They seemed (at the time) to “run for ever”. But then, why are most survivors still daily driven from this era and seen on the roads, Fords and Mercurys?
Probably before your time and almost before my time, SEARS actually marketed a small car called the ALSTATE. ALSTATE insurance was first a SEARS company. At one time SEARS also sold house complete kits, and owned WLS (Worlds Largest Store) broadcasting.
In the nineties I had a 87 Diplomat, and my wife had an 87 Fifth Avenue. I loved mine but my wife thought she wanted something smaller. She got a PT Cruiser and I bought a Suburban so we were both happy. The Mopars were both great driving and riding cars, and you could go over them both and you would not find a hint of rust. The biggest complaint I had was that they both called for premium gas, but at least they got decent mileage. I never removed the engine controller that was attached to the air cleaner as iI didn’t think it would help performance. Both had about 150K when we got rid of them.
My 83 and 85 Fifth Avenues ran on regular gas with no problems. Still wish I had kept one.
Rick, did you ever notice the label inside the gas flap that said “Premium Fuel Recommended”? My Fifth Avenue and my Diplomat both would run on regular but spark knock. My Father in Law had an 85 Fifth Ave and refused to buy premium. He said “let it knock”, and it did. Premium didn’t cost much more back then so I didn’t mind paying for it.
Both my Fifth Avenues had 318 V8. Never had any problems with regular, but always bought at the same Amoco stations.
Good looking car.
The dash gauges are plentiful . I can’t figure out what all 6 are for.
Fuel , oil pressure , eng. temp. ,battery charge , clock?, and ?.
Vacuum ?
Paul, the bottom two are lights, not gauges. One is high beam indicator, and the other one is, I believe, to remind you that the rear window de-icer is on. I might be wrong on the purpose, but both are lights.
Correction to my last comment. The one on the left is a switch that activates the window de-icer , and the one on the right is a light, possibly door-ajar. You’d think I would have remembered this considering how many times I looked at that dash while sitting in the drivers seat.
To RICK W: The Alstate automobile (a thinly-disquised Henry J.) was right IN my time, actually. The Henry J. came out for 1951, and the following year, Sears-Roebuck offered the same car, but with a nicer interior and slight external trim differences, at a lower price than the Henry J.. Must not have worked out that well for Sears, because 1952 was a one-off. But I had forgotten that they once also owned WLS-890, known over many years for their “Barn Dance” programme — much later as a leading “top-40” outlet — and now, as a Conservative talk station. My point was not about Sears and Roebuck — I could just as easily have suggested Mongomery-Ward — I was trying to illustrate that the Diplomat/Gran Fury ran for years as a basically “generic” car in overall appearance — it simply looked so masterfully unoriginal and “average” — even almost anonymous.
I understand your point, but always like to share information. At this point, I am now a vintage Rolls Canardly, Roll down one hill and Canardly get up the next! 😮 😉 😜
To RICK W: I happen to be Autistic, as well as “ancient” (diagnosed with Autism late in life — but I paid dearly for the oddity early in life, when people simply assumed that I was being wilfully contrary, specifically to annoy everyone around me. Anyway, one of the consequences of Autism is, you don’t always get the joke, and you look perplexed whilst everyone else around you is laughing. Then, YOU find things funny, which others do not. Your remark about the Rolls got past me at first, because I took it literally, that you had a Rolls which was a “canardly” model I’d never heard of… but then, about an hour later it hit me and I laughed out loud. There was a song, from the 1920s, I believe, entitled, “She’s Such a Comfort To me” — about a sweetheart who is clueless. One part goes like this:
If I tell a joke on Monday,
She won’t leave me in the lurch:
Six days later on a Sunday,
She laughs out loud in church.
She must have been on the Autism spectrum — that’s how we Autists can be, sometimes (smile).
HARRISON, I am happy to give you a laugh, even if it took a while. And you made me aware of a song I had never heard. Thank you. I had a God son with ADHD and know the challenges he faced before his untimely death. May God Bless You always! Stay strong 💪!
RICK W: Thank you for the chuckle — and glad you enjoyed the song. So very sorry to hear of your God son’s death! At my age, I am reminded every day that so very many folks far younger than I have died! — including nearly all of the ones I knew in my own youth. But it is most particularly heartbreaking when death strikes a young person! Thank God and the death of Jesus Christ for the resurrection of the dead! (I Corinthians 15. 21-22; Hebrews 2. 9; I Timothy 2. 3-6; Isaiah 51. 11)
The LORD works in mysterious ways! Look at us, two VINTAGE ships still afloat, exchanging thoughts! My God son had so many serious health issues, I believe he was taken HOME✝️ to save him from further suffering. May the New Year be a blessing to you and those you love. Yes, it seems that so many friends and family are gone But never forgotten! ❤ Always good to hear from you!
Another laugh (I hope). Harrison Reed, I like to READ your comments!
I enjoy your comments also, RICK W. It seems that you and I swap remarks on a number of these cars. Can’t AFFORD any of them, myself, but it’s nice to “imagine”…
I am fortunate to be still driving and have a beautiful low mileage 2007 Town Car Signature Limited. But have always bought previously owned vehicles. My ultimate dream cars are 1961final DeSoto and 61 Imperial LEBARON. Although I will never have either, I have collages of both framed and hanging on my wall. Never stop dreaming. Have to go for now. But will respond to any other comments ASAP!
RICK W: I c a not c think n of anything v to add…
…except, SORRY FOR THE TYPOS! I drive a HIGH-mileage 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis.
Happy New Year, my friend! You can easily get 300,000 or more from that Grand Marquis. Just maintain it as best you can. I have had several Grand Marquis, Crown Victoria LX, and now Town Car. My choices are simple, I like to have the BEST. And that includes friends like you! See you Next Year! Now only a few hours away! 🎆
I just realized that I am ahead of time! It’s only January 30. Do I feel like a big fool? YES! So at least I’m the first to wish you a Very Happy New Year! 😊
Since we are talking about age, an old film (1938?) Dinners at Eight, had a scene with a young actress telling an older actress how she loved watching her movies when she was a little girl. The older woman frowned and said, Really, Dear? We must have a long talk some time and the CIVIL WAR! Don’t think either of us goes quite that far back! 😁 🤣
A very happy and joyful New Year to YOU, RICK W! I am most pleased to be your friend! (probably old enough to match your father’s age, though — since I looked in wonder at the Henry J. and Alstate when they were new. The ’47 Studebaker (“First by far with a postwar car” — still remember the slogan!) looked rather like a rabbit to me — and what a bring-down from the grand Studebakers in pre-war times! But the new car which absolutely FLOORED me, was the 1949 Ford, when it appeared in the Sumner of 1948! It looked so “FUTURE” then! — WAY ahead of the sleek ’48 Cadillacs and “Futuramic” Oldmobiles. But it always amused me, rather, that Cadillac kept their warmed-over ’41s going simultaneously with thr new ’48s, and even into the 1949 model year! So, when you see what LOOKS like a ’47 Caddy, it COULD even be a ’49! How about THEM apples! Thank you for the vote of confidence on my Grand Marquis: so far, so good — except for small pesky things such as the electric door-locks
Well, my friend, you might be surprised. I was a late life baby for my parents. Yep, I am a certified 1947 Rolls Canardly! First family car I remember was a 1950 Nash AMBASSADOR, often called upside down bathtub. Great car. Kept it with no problems until Mom’s arthritis made it hard for her to park without power steering. Traded in 59 for a Black 55 DeSoto, fresh from service as a family car at a local funeral home. Only the beginning of the long road of vehicles! Quiet day, doing trips down memory lane. Not sure how we might connect other than here. Not great with technology 😕. Any ideas? Won’t be awake to welcome New Year as I will be attending the swearing in of New city officials. I may do a little swearing myself, if you get my drift! We got first small snow today. ❄. I added the snow flake because some people think I’m kind of a FLAKE. Nice sharing part of the day with a new friend! See you, or at least talk to you in 2024.
Hi, RICK W! Well, I’m not old enough to be the father of a man born in 1947! (smile). But I have lots of nice records from the year you were born! I’m older than you are, if that’s any comfort: you’re only 76. But that’s okay — I used to be 76, once! Nice age, as I recollect. Far less arthritis — and, NO CATERACTS! My mother bought a new Nash in 1942, because she did not want to drive my father’s massive 1939 Packard while he was overseas in the War. In 1948, she traded hers in on a new Plymouth. My father traded the 1939 Packard in on a 1951 Packard, which was MUCH smaller inside! I have memories of all of those cars: the Packard was like a living room on wheels. Happy 2024 to you, my friend! All of this season’s snow (of any consequence, that is), we got in October and November. We have had only flurries and dustings, since. Our ground is bare right now — most peculiar for this time of year! Often, we have snow on the ground on Halloween, and nearly always on Thanksgiving. And we usually still have it at Easter time. In what part of the country are you? — or, are you somewhere in Canada, perchance? I am in the southern Adirondacks, and our climate is a similar to that of Vermont (not all that far away from us — but far prettier, in my view). I guarantee that I know far less about “technology” than you do! So, I am of no help at all, I’m afraid. Know any nine-year-olds? — they seem to know EVERYTHING about navigating through cyber-space.
Remember a Laugh In sketch. Dr. Examining patient’s eyes says I see you have a cataract. Reply, No have Cattarack! Have Rincon Continental! Hope all is well with you. I’m in the Midwest, not far from Chicago. Until we can figure out another way to communicate, let’s keep in contact here.
As far as the young techies, my dad used to say about know it alls, If you could buy them for what they are worth, and sell them for what they THINK they are worth, you would be a millionaire! 😅 🤣!
Love that “buy them for what they [actually] are worth//sell them for what they THINK they’re worth” comment! So, you are in WLS-land! I get WLS here — sometimes, this time of year, all day long! But they always are strong here at night. I get whatever Chicago has now on 670 (I remember them as WMAQ); WGN-720; WBBM-780; WLS-890; whatever that sports station is on 1000 (used to be WCFL). But I seldom hear 560-WIND, or (whatever that is on) 820, or 1160-WJJD (if they still are that). I used to get WTMJ-620, WOKY-920, and WEMP-1250 — all from Milwaukee — but I haven’t heard any of those recently. I once heard a 1330 from Evansville and a tiny 1450 from Cicero. Any of those familiar to you?
All AM stations, of course — it is rare to get FM from nearly 1,000 miles away (though it DOES happen in the summertime — usually, though, from places like Oklahoma, Alabama, or Florida, not the Middle-West).
Harrison, I’m not REEDING anything from you. Hope you are OK!
Funny Thing. I seldom listen to radio anymore. My Lincoln has AM FM but cannot find any stations with my kind of music. So, I use CDs. Talk radio has never interested me. Now all the political stuff just raises my blood pressure. When I was a teenager, I used to put my transistor radio under my pillow and listen when I was supposed to be sleeping. Wonder how many are following our posts and unaware of so much of things we mention? Dad once had a 59 Studebaker Lark (second car) with NO radio! 👎.Remember 60S Chrysler Corp cars with 45 Remember record players? Some guy out here is actually looking for an 8track player! Guess we’re not the only old guys! Back in the day, WLS was THE station. Hasta LA Pasta! 😉
In a 1930s Movie, A young actress tells an older actress, I saw all your movies when I was a child. The response. REALLY, DEAR? We must have a long talk sometime about the CIVIL WAR! Don’t think we can QUITE go back that far. Or, ???
To RICK W: I’m still here. I remember the Mopar record-players as a 1955-1956 thing, particularly with Dodge. As to radio nowadays: I like classical music, and we do have one FM classical station — though more avant-garde modern “classicsl” music sets my teeth on edge. My sister had a 1960 Studebaker Lark — don’t know whether or not hers had a radio: I’ll have to ask her. It was light blue. I like certain hosts on talk radio: it tends to offer a combative presentation which runs contrary to the usual “mainstream” narrative, and to poke holes in particular ideological “sacred cows”. And, were it not for talk radio, there are a number of brilliant minds out there I might otherwise not even have become aware of. I remember Joe Pyne very well; however, his habit of inviting guests onto his show simply to humiliate them on the air never appealed to me: I’m not fond of cheap-shots. Bob Grant, out of New York and Philadelphia, was someone I liked — especially his ability to call-out stupidity and hypocrisy masquerading as scholarship, and his infamous impatience with callers who came to argue but not to listen. I find the discussions stimulating of thought, whether I agree or disagree. As to music in the car, other than classical; I use the dashboard radio audiocassette player: I have hundreds of home-made tapes from my personal record collection. The transistor radio under my pillow was not available to me: I had a four-tube portable, which I got in 1949 (and still have), where you opened the front cover to turn it on, and shut the cover to turn it off. Tube radios devour batteries — and ONE TIME falling asleep with it softly playing taught me a valuable lesson! I bought a transistor radio in 1961, and I still regularly use it (smile). The tube set still plays fine, but batteries for it are expensive, and I seldom turn it on, unless I am showing it to someone. It is an excellent long distance receiver, and my 1961 Zenith 500H transistor set is also.
Good morning! Will be back later. Another day for driving about doing errands before possible big snow! Did you know that Frances Bavier (Aunt Bea) drove a Lark? When she died, most of her estate was willed to her college. Don’t know what happened to her Lark! MAYbe they BERYed it with her? 😉
https://www.studebaker-info.org/Auntbea/auntbeastude.html
January 13. Looks like many messages are gone. I called the number you left and got voice mail. Please try again and leave message if I don’t answer! Will try again soon!
Another message. I used the email address I gave you to connect here. If you want to send me your email, do it in pieces in separate emails. I’ll try putting the pieces together.