Looking like it’s right out of a 1980s police drama TV show, or having been used for one four decades ago, this 1984 Plymouth Gran Fury ain’t so gran anymore. Or is it grand? It looks like something Bill Shatner as TJ Hooker would have slid across the hood of so many times that he wore off the paint. This 1984 Plymouth Gran Fury is listed here on eBay in Orange, California and the current bid price is $330.
The smaller M-body Gran Fury was popular with companies needing fleet cars and with law enforcement agencies, mainly due to its simple-to-maintain drivetrains, solid construction, and being the perfect size; just big enough but not excessively so. The third-generation Gran Fury was offered in the U.S. from 1981 for the 1982 model year, until the end of 1988.
I’m not sure how a person would use this car. Parts? Commuting on the mean streets of Los Angeles? Paying $1,500+ for shipping isn’t in the cards for this one, so it has to be local bidders throwing down on this one. This seller offers donated vehicles, and they typically need lots of work, as in this case. It isn’t drivable on the street due to a coolant leak and overheating issues. It needs suspension work, and you can see the big dent in the left quarter panel and burnt paint.
It’s got a police vibe interior, with the basic (standard) bench seat in front in cloth and vinyl, both of which have seen better days. Upholstery is a relatively easy fix, and unless I’ve missed it, the hot southern California sun hasn’t seemed to wreak havoc with the dash or anything else inside. The back seat appears to be all vinyl, so maybe this was a law enforcement car at one time?
The engine is a 318-cu.in. OHV V8, which had 130 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by the venerable three-speed TorqueFlite automatic sending power to the rear wheels, and with the overheating and coolant leak issue, it isn’t able to be driven back to your garage. The AC doesn’t work, of course, and it most likely needs a battery, tires, and the usual maintenance work. How would you use this Gran Fury?
Thanks SG. Popular taxicab, cop car models. The Caravelle was seen up here North of the border.
Good one Scotty. I enjoy write-ups on “regular” cars of the day, including examples like this which were typically for fleet duty. Maybe someone has plans for it.
Aside: speaking of fleet duty, it is kind of a dismissed component of today’s new vehicle market. But I’m sure Ford (for example) is very happy to make those zillions of white F-Series trucks, even if they don’t make as much money per unit as compared to the high-trim-level versions.
With the 125mph Certified speedo and low spec interior, it seems likely this is an ex-police unit.
These were common police cars (along with the Dodge Diplomat stable mate) when I was a young miscreant in the ’80s. In fact it seemed to me like very few non-police examples were on the road at the time. (Unlike the more upscale Chrysler New Yorker, which was popular with older buyers.) The headlights/parking lights made a very distinctive profile in your rearview mirror when they were riding behind you.
The two types of upholstery identify this as an ex-government or police car. Not worth what it would cost to restore, but some teenager could have fun with this one as their first beater.
Along with the slotted police only wheels, this likely is an ex police car. No pics, but it might even be a factory 4 barrel.
Had one, loved the car. Mine had bucket seats, with a 4 barrel. Fan sheared off on the highway doing 80, and car overheated big time. Plug wires caught on fire… Never ran the same after that. Used to get a kick by driving thru the hood, stomping on the gas, and watching the brothers hanging on the corner scatter… Lol
I had one of these back in the early 90’s. A little cramped up in the captain’s chair for us tall guys, but that car with its handling package on a short wheelbase would put a smile on your face. You could get out in the left lane and pull up on someone and they’d dive out of the way. Then they’d flip you off when you’d be laughing as you passed them.
it’s a Hellcat swap away from being Gran Furiosa!
Or to be completely different & offensive, 2JZ. If someone says LS I’m gonna puke!
Ad says A/C not working. There is a good reason for that. The car does not, and never has had A/C. These are great cars with the Police package, as this one has. It does have the base 2 barrel engine, not the more powerful 4 barrel version.
Bill Maxwell, FBI. Greatest American Hero…..tan of course.
Auction update: this one sold for $1,025.