Automotive industry lore has it that Chrysler downsized its full-size cars in 1962 based on a rumor that Chevy was doing the same thing. Whether it was true or not is debatable, but the result was that brands like the Plymouth were smaller in 1962 than the year before. That would include the seller’s ’62 Fury that’s a one-owner car whose owner has passed away and the seller doesn’t have the room or interest in restoring it. Located in Weston, Wisconsin, this car is available here on craigslist for $4,000. Thanks to Gransedan for the tip!
If there is any merit to the so-called fable, it may have been misread as Chevy’s plan to roll out a new compact, the Chevy II. At any rate, the 1962 Plymouth Fury debuted as a downsized model riding on the new Chrysler B-body unibody platform. The public didn’t respond positively to the changes and sales were slow. Chrysler would respond by enlarging the cars some for 1963 and 1964 and production would pick back up.
We’re told that the seller’s father bought this Fury new some 60 years ago. It spent the last 10 years parked in the driveway, so that has led to the deterioration of the paint although rust didn’t seem to follow. The trunk and passenger cabin floors are solid along with the subframe rails, although a bit of corrosion is here and there. Most of the missing trim pieces are said to be inside the Plymouth. The interior has also declined over time, such as the seat covers and the dash pad.
The Plymouth has a 318 cubic inch “Poly” V8 with a push-button automatic transmission. Both were rebuilt about 10,000 miles ago, but that was in 1991 so who knows how good any of that is now. Since the car has been sitting so long, the fuel system is fouled meaning the automobile is not running. The mileage reading is 75,000 but the seller doesn’t know how accurate that figure may be. While the machines weren’t terribly popular when new, they were an improvement over the “plucked chickens” that preceded them.
Why rebuild at 71.000 miles, those engines would last double.
This was one of Ward Cleaver’s later cars.
Excellent basis for a Super Stock clone
kinda like this one, 383/343 record holder back in the day.
Already deleted…
https://wausau.craigslist.org/cto/d/rothschild-1962-plymouth-fury/7463661771.html
Still available, at $3500
W0W! That one went fast, the good deals usually do.
Wisconsin car, okay, Wisconsin didn’t start using salt until the 70’s, so it’s entirely possible, most of these miles were in the 60’s. Being the 1st unibody, I’d check cars like this out thoroughly. Still, a great find, and I had a generator just like that for years,,
Alternator on Mopars , GM and Ford still used generators that year
Always thought this year Plymouth’s design was bizarre, which is probably why I like them.
Apparently very few people likes the ’62s, though some of us fell hard for them. I was one of the latter; my personal Dream Car was suddenly a black Fury hardtop. Of course, as a USAF Airman 2nd Class my annual salary would barely have covered the bill … 10 years later the old Volvo I’d bought had suddenly run its bearings, so while it was in the shop my loaner was … a ’62 Plymouth hardtop! What was most endearing about it was its ramshackle happy way of getting down the road and charging corners, exactly like a great big Volvo! I I could have afforded to run it I’d have traded in a heartbeat.
I would at least replace the valve stem seals and do a valve lash adjustment. After all this time those seals have to dried out.
I’m with Glenn–that would make a bitchin’ drag car. Different looking, thats why I like it. Even a 383 would make this beauty haul the groceries nicely. Good luck and Happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
Okay, please explain that dash board. What caused that? Is that fix able? I highly doubt they make new 1962 Plymouth dash boards. Good luck finding one of those. It is not like you can walk into any junkyard and pull one these days. These cars were crushed from those places 40 years ago. 4 grand? That is a strech. Just because its made by Chrysler in the sixties does not mean you are sitting on a goldmine. Also, in the family six decades and now you want it gone? A real loving family there oh boy. I would almost kill to have some of the things my great late dad used to own and love, even the ones I hated growing up.
That’d make a good Max Wedge clone!
The 1962 sport fury came with golden commando 361, a big block. 6500 were made and they could be special order cars with 413 crossram 2x4bbl carbs which came in super stock 1962 dodge from factory ready for the track! They were the first year of B-body cars and unibody frame. Modifications had to be made to uni body and frame bracing was necessary to keep the re cars from twisting. True muscle cars nd race winners these cars do not get enough credit as true muscle cars but they were the muscle at the race tracks. I have had a few of these cars , owning one for 35 years. Push button 727 torq
Flight trans with shift kit, 440ci, yorker intake with double pump 650 holley and electric fuel pump. Headers , dual to back bumper. Red. Awesome ride and quick to smoke the tires to shreds!! If I made any mistakes on info please correct this ole plymouth lover and U.S.Army medic veteran ambulance driver and if your interested in trades on the fury I would love to have it. Sure miss mine…thanks