A few days ago I covered this 1980 Chrysler New Yorker and while in that full-size Mopar vein, I thought a review of this 1974 Plymouth Fury “Gran Coupe” would be in order. This is a fabulous-looking car, IMHO, and its condition is not to be denied. New Castle, Pennsylvania is its current home and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,800. Three cheers to Dennis H. for this tip!
The year 1974 was a tipping point for the domestic auto industry and ChryCo was adversely affected, as much or more so, than GM or Ford. The Middle East oil embargo, tightening emission controls and safety standards, and runaway inflation all conspired to make the auto biz a tough row to hoe. Capital constraints made things at Chrysler particularly tricky but still, their Plymouth division continued to slug it out and make the best of the situation. Their full-size Fury lineup continued with the I, II, and III designations with the Gran Coupe and Sedan occupying the catbird seat. Our subject car is one of only 9,600 copies produced a half-century ago – maybe not rare, but certainly not common.
The seller of this Gran Coupe states, “An incredible unrestored survivor that is amazing throughout.” Well, it looks grand and the finish is said to be original though not perfect – who’s going to expect perfection at this point, right? I’m amazed that this car still exists, much less in this condition; I can’t remember the last time I saw, in the steel, a full-size Mopar from this era. All of it, the stainless trim, chrome, wheel covers, vinyl top, etc. is as good as it gets, it’s safe to say this car needs nothing appearance-wise.
Powering this 4,365 lb. coupe is a 205 net HP 400 CI V8 engine making its moves via a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission. The seller adds that this 59K mile coupe, “Runs and drives excellent (sic).” Replacements include new brake calipers, pads, and a master cylinder.
“Excellent interior, the seats feel like they’ve never been sat in” is how the interior is described. It is certainly clean and attractive – I really like the two-tone cloth fabric upholstery; the high-back front bench seat accentuates the pattern perfectly. Images of the dash and instrument panel reveal a like-new arrangement with no indication of dashpad degradation. And of course, there’s a “Chronometer” digital display clock.
So, what’s your flavor, the ’80 New Yorker of this ’74 Gran Coupe? I’m leaning towards this coupe but first, let’s talk price. What’s your thought, at $15,800, priced right or not quite?
Grammar weenie 😆😂😆
Good write-up Jim. I’m with you, I don’t remember the last time I have seen a big Mopar of the mid-70’s, especially a coupe. Looks to be in good shape. A big, comfortable cruiser.
Fifty years later, we can look back and realize how, by 1974, the Malaise Era was in effect. And how it would take several years for things to improve.
Hate that term “Malaise Era”. There were some wonderful cars made during that time.
Yes, JDC, some nice cars were made during that era, but computerized carburetors and immature emissions controls took all the fun out of them. Any of the wonderful cars you can think of would have been even more wonderful with fuel injection, distributor-less ignitions, 4-speed automatics, and 500 fewer pounds.
The GM downsized cars from 1977 forward (to include highly popular G bodies and 1982 A bodies), the Ford Fox and Panther cars, the Chrysler K cars and minivan were all made during these so called malaise era and sold in the millions and were excellent cars. All built on Platforms that lasted for decades.
I think the term “Gran Coupe” works on this car than it does the Barracuda.
Nice cruiser right here, and great that it is before the dreaded lean burn system was introduced.
When I see the front clip, especially in black, I can’t help but think of the Blues Brothers. I know it was a ’74 Dodge Monaco, but you can definitely see the family resemblance. This is just unbelievably clean, and looking at it, should’ve given the Chevy Impala or Caprice a run for its money. But I just don’t remember seeing many of these back then, and even rarer now. This is in great shape, and hope it gets great care in its future to preserve it.
This car has nice lines, and the center armrest is a great child seat too
Has to be pretty rare nowadays. Though, any mid-70s car that survived without rusting out is a rare enough find. Actually, come to think of it, I don’t know if I have ever seen one of these Fury Gran Coupes in real life. Looks to be exceptionally clean.
I’ve always preferred to be known as a grammar weenie rather than semi-literate.
I hardly think misspelling a word, by one letter, qualifies one as being “semi-literate”.
JO
I’m the “grammar weenie”…nice when the “journalists” here start name-calling just because a reader called them out when they incorrectly referred to a car by the wrong name. It’s especially funny when I also corrected your spelling and pronunciation of the word “lackadaisical” which you spelled “lacksidasial” (you forgot to mention that, Jim), lol!!!
Then, you delete it all. Ahhh…the mighty power of censorship is alive and well!
I’m not anonymous, Jim…don’t be so butthurt. I learn something new every day, you should embrace the same philosophy.
Well, a “journalist” spends lots of time researching and reviewing a car and all you can do is criticize the grammar/spelling of the write-up. Really appreciated! It must be special for you to be so error free! I’ve only written 2,700 of these posts so something is likely to escape my attention at some point.
As for deleting it all, I didn’t delete a single d**n thing – I don’t roll that way and I resent your accusation. Now, one of the editors may have caught your comment, taken exception to it and removed it but then again, it’s their website.
JO
Fair enough, Jim…but a good “journalist” should appreciate a good “grammar nazi”. Next time, however, try not to be so “lacksidasial” with your spelling and vocabulary efforts (relax, I’m just kidding). Also, can I at least be referred to as a “big grammar weenie” as opposed to an average-sized grammar weenie?
You’re on, Big Grammar Weenie!
JO
I like that better, Jim. You’re good for my ego…now I won’t have to reduce myself to buying a Harley or a jacked-up 4X4 pickup, lol!!!
Very classy looking
Just look at that AC compressor. It has got to take 20HP when it kicks in. They were brutal in those days. I owned a few 318s with those, and even on level pavement on the freeway, you could feel the car shutter and moan when that solenoid did its job. The 400 would help that a lot, but I bet you could still feel it come on. A buddy had a Dart 225 with AC. He actually had to turn it off to pass a car on a two lane road for safety.
Wow! This is one rare vehicle. I saw very few of these new let alone all these years later. This one is in very good condition. I like it a lot.
Looks like a garage full of similar cars.
Arguably the last good looking (Gran) Fury. Very handsome car with handsome proportions and a proper hardtop coupe. Triple black is always good. I’m in.
Well now, best integrating of 5mph bumpers on an emergency basis on older design that I can think of! This car could have been a lot worse!
My dad had a yellow one. 400 ran nice. Smooth ride.
I think some were around 8500 would be a fair price
Those Chrysler engineers must have been geniuses to only get 205hp out of 400CI.
Not familiar with the era are we?
Ford 400: 172 hp with a 2bbl carb!
Peter, tell us you have zero fundamental mechanical knowledge without actually telling us. 😆
It was a joke repeating what it is claimed that Ettore Bugatti said about the Bentley 6.5 litre engine with 4-valves per cylinder and SOHC. That engine was produced from 1926-1930 with about 160bhp depending on what you read. I thought Barn Finds readers would immediately identify it.
I had a ’74 Fury hardtop when I was in college in 1982. Paid $175 for it. Power seats, power trunk release, and an actual fan with a heating element from the factory that was a very effective rear-window defroster
Drove it back & forth to school, it never let me down. Aside from some factory rust, the only thing I had trouble with was the vacuum switch for the climate control. Had to bypass it with a toggle switch.