John Carpenter proved during the production of his 1983 movie, Christine, that cloning a 1958 Plymouth Fury is a piece of cake. He was forced to do so because the low production numbers meant genuine examples were scarce. The seller confirms that this 1958 Fury is the real deal and that they have invested a significant sum in its restoration to date. It needs someone to complete the process, but since it is rock-solid, features plenty of new interior trim, and a rebuilt V8 under the hood, it is perfect for anyone wishing to add the finishing touches. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Zappenduster for spotting the “furious” Plymouth listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Hickory, North Carolina. The seller set their price at $50,000, but might consider partial trades for the right candidate.
Plymouth introduced the Fury badge as a sub-series of its Belvedere range from 1956 until 1958. It received standalone model status in 1959, but our featured car rolled off the line a year before that happened. Chrysler was riding the crest of a wave across all marques as Virgil Exner’s “Forward Look” design philosophy set new standards in vehicle styling. The ’58 Fury was no exception, with its low roof, wide stance, and enormous fins. Many readers will know that while John Carpenter’s “Christine” wore Red paint, Plymouth didn’t offer buyers that shade. Every Fury rolling off the line in 1958 featured Buckskin Beige with distinctive gold-anodized trim. The seller confirms that an early owner performed a color change, hiding the Beige beneath a pretty uninspiring shade of Dark Brown. They have been slowly stripping away the Brown, and the original paint looks surprisingly good. Whether its presentation will be acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle once the process ends remains unknown, but it might be possible. Otherwise, a cosmetic refresh would be easy, because there are no major panel imperfections, and the Fury is devoid of penetrating rust. The underside shots reveal minor dry surface corrosion that probably should be treated to prevent deterioration, but the grinder and welder can stay in the cupboard during this build. The trim looks acceptable for a driver-grade restoration, the tinted glass is clean, and the buyer can choose between the Lancer wheel trims currently fitted or the original Fury items sitting in the trunk.
Chrysler has long enjoyed a reputation for producing excellent, potent V8 engines, and the one beneath the hood of the ’58 Fury was no exception. The 318ci “Poly” inhales deeply via a pair of four-barrel carburetors, producing a factory-claimed 290hp and 330 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed TorqueFlite transmission handles shifting duties, with the car also equipped with power steering and power brakes. There’s plenty of positive news for potential buyers. The seller confirms that an engine and transmission rebuild was part of the restoration to this point, and that they also fitted new brakes and a fuel tank. They admit that the Fury has been stored for a couple of years, but it appears that returning it to active service is a realistic short-term goal.
The seller invested a few dollars on this Fury’s interior, performing a seat retrim in the correct materials. They also refreshed the painted surfaces, installed a reproduction dashpad, and, I suspect, the wheel is new. However, the door trims and other upholstered surfaces appear to show some age in the image gallery, which may motivate the buyer to complete the interior retrim. There are miscellaneous items in the trunk, including some trim pieces and the factory radio. Those preferring a touch of comfort will undoubtedly welcome the power windows and power front seat.
Historic records reveal that while Plymouth produced 443,554 passenger cars across all body styles in 1958, only 5,303 buyers drove off the lot in a Fury. That makes our featured Plymouth rare in its own right. When you factor in the tendency to dissolve like a soluble aspirin when exposed to moisture, snow, or salt, the survival rate is exceptionally low. If I were a betting man, I would wager that some readers will view this Fury as an ideal candidate for a Christine tribute, and I understand the logic. However, understanding and agreeing are different things. Quite a few such vehicles ply our roads, appearing regularly at shows and Cars & Coffee events across the country. This car’s lack of rust and relative rarity make me believe it deserves a faithful restoration. Do you agree?
Absolutely agree this car deserves a full restoration but at the $50K asking price it would be difficult to justify as you would be upside down in a heartbeat – not for the novice – just my opinion having owned and operated a classic car restoration shop for decades.
Agree. Way to much money to spend on a car that’s going to be restored to maintain it’s value. We were in the restoring business in the ’80s into the ’90s. Gallon of paint $40, labor rate 1 quarter of what it is now. One quart of paint for our latest race car build almost $200 with another $100 for thinner, hardener, etc. The ’56 Dodge spinner wheel covers do look good on the car.
I hope this car stays original. Being the owner of another Plymouth, I have come to appreciate these cars. I really like those fins.
It would be a shame if they painted it red and white to make yet another movie car clone.