Ran When Parked: 1965 Plymouth Fury III

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For the 1962-64 model years, sales of Plymouth’s full-size cars had been hampered by a strategic Chrysler error. They had been downsized to the B-body platform because the scuttlebutt was what Chevrolet was doing. That proved incorrect and they wouldn’t fully rebound until 1965 when the seller’s Fury III was built. Things were all new that year, and Plymouth was put back on equal footing. This example is said to be a solid car that shouldn’t take a lot to get running, though the photos suggest otherwise. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this Mopar is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,000 OBO.

When the new C-body platform arrived in 1965, Plymouth adopted a naming logic that mirrored Chevy’s lineup. The Fury I was the basic model (Biscayne), the Fury II was the mid-level choice (Bel Air), and the Fury III was the bread-and-butter model (impala). Plus, you had the Sport Fury (Impala SS) and – later – the VIP (Caprice). Plymouth sold some 330,000 full-size cars in ’65 of which 43,000 were Fury III 2-door hardtops like this one.  They all wore stacked headlights from 1965 to 1968 (like the Fords of 1965 to 1967).

Photos show a 383 cubic inch V8 under the hood, the 2-barrel version for slightly better gas mileage. The transmission is a TorqueFlight automatic, back to column-shift this year (previously pushbutton). The odometer indicates 43,000 miles and the seller says that’s accurate. The car was running when it was parked, but when was that (the photos suggest many moons ago)? We’re told the electrical stuff works, but the battery looks too old to be able to determine that. The seller thinks a full servicing of fluids with a tune-up will get the old girl going again.

The body may be okay, but it looks to be sitting awfully close to the dirt. And the black paint has so much grime on it how can you tell if it will respond to detailing? The interior is original and may be okay, but the photos aren’t encouraging. The seller says the overall car is in “perfect condition,” but I would have pulled it out of the shed and washed it before going out on that limb.

The seller is willing to provide local delivery and has a second old car for sale which pops up in places in the photos. This could be a good restoration project, and you would end up with a car less seen than a 1965 Chevy Impala because Plymouth only built a third as many full-size autos that year.

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Comments

  1. Steve R

    This car was featured on this site in early August, at that time they were asking $12,000. They are making progress, but it doesn’t change the fact this might only be a $2,000 car based on its outward appearance and unknown condition. These cars don’t have a strong enough following to pull anywhere close to the asking price for a non-running project. Time often provides a reality check for those willing to pay attention, this car will continue to sit and deteriorate unless the seller realizes their asking price is unreasonably high.

    Steve R

    Like 32
  2. bone

    the seller hasn’t even taken new photos or even washed it. Maybe a little time spent on presentation would help a bit

    Like 16
  3. Pat P.

    Maybe “near perfect” condition.

    Like 5
  4. Big C

    Ran when parked…in 1984.

    Like 12
  5. Roland

    383 or 361?

    Like 3
  6. Howard A Howard AMember

    The guy across the alley, who was a bit older bought a ’65 Plymouth ex-state patrol car. It was the 1st car I went 120 mph in. To be clear, a 2 barrel doesn’t get any better mileage than a 4 barrel on the primaries, not the motors strong point, with mid teens, but gas was cheap, tanks were big, it was not a concern. Only 3 V8s were offered, the 318, the 383, or the 426 wedge. Plymouth seemed to shift gears a bit from its successful earlier race cars, and seemed to cater to a more responsible crowd. I see little, if any chance of anyone saving this.

    Like 5
    • RMac

      Howsrd not sure where you got your facts on the engines but a 440 super commando was absolutely available in 65 my 65 sport fury came with it that the engine my brother bent a rod on and gave me the car I went and found later year nj state police cruiser wrecked and pulled the 440 interceptor out of it and dropped it in the 65. Before putting it in we did a cam change and put on a 6 pack. That car could run won lots of street races

      Like 6
      • Dennis Stoeser

        RMac you are wrong. The 440 was not available until 66. The mild mannered 426 street wedge was the top engine in 65. I have owned owned one of the cars for 29 years and have all the factory owners and shop manuals plus a good collection of sale brochures. My car is a factory Fury 3 like this and came with a 383 two barrel with documented 4 speed manual. I have spoken to all previous owners pluses the son of the selling dealer when new. May not be as valuable as a Chevy but there is a good following. Price a little high but not much.

        Like 10
      • Gary J Lehman

        RMAC: periods and commas would help

        Like 0
  7. Wademo

    Easily saved, with a lot of elbow grease and all new fuel system. Seller needs to come down a ways in price to allow that to happen.

    Like 9
  8. RalphP

    Chrysler was a couple of years early. Once GM introduced the Malibu/Tempest-GTO/Cutlass/Skylark they had the field all to themselves.

    Like 1
  9. Dal

    These people with cars like this are dreaming! I would give $900.00 for this car at best. To get this thing fixed up nice your looking at a minimum of 25- k. 9000.00 is out of question for this car!

    Like 3
  10. Billy

    Take a look at the Facebook site on the car. Holy Moly!
    I wonder what is in the box sitting in the back seat?
    Oh, does that racoon trap go with it? I’ve got some two legged pests that need a place to camp for a night.
    I’ll bid $501USD. Transportation isn’t cheap. Let alone what you would have to pay someone to even get it ready to jump on a trailer.
    Have to say though, I have always liked this body style.

    Like 2
  11. Dave Brown

    In all honesty, this is a $500 car. It’s totally unpresentable.

    Like 4
  12. Dennis Stoeser

    Before spouting off scrap metal prices some of you folks need to do some research.

    Like 3
  13. Billy

    OK, what is it worth? Please tell.
    Thanks in advance.

    Like 1
  14. RMac

    Dennis
    Mine must have been a late 65 then because it clearly said super commando on the front fenders and the hood ornament said 440 the literature I find some say only the max edge 426 was available others say the 440 was available so I can only relate what was clearly marked on my car which was a 65 sport fury white with dark red interior loved the turned aluminum trim down the sides and taillight panel my brother was the second owner of it in 1970 and I had it until 1979

    Like 2
    • Dennis Stoeser

      Interesting. If by chance you could find the in your papers somewhere you could res
      research it.

      Like 0
      • Billy

        Huh?

        Like 1
      • RMac

        I wish I did have any papers on my 65 sport fury but that was in NJ before I moved to AZ then GA then FL and finally to SC all I know is I sold it to an FBI agent who traded it 2 years later for a Fiat 850 spider
        Loved that Plymouth and the 68 sport fury my father bought new his was a 318 but still moved pretty well

        Like 0
  15. Steve

    I’d take the ’66 Dodge Monaco in the background.

    Like 0
  16. Frog

    Chia pet anyone?

    Like 0
  17. Sw smith

    Here in NC they beat the crap out of it, never service it, leave it outside, then come time to sell it, advertise as “like new” or like knew.

    Like 1
  18. ken

    famous last words ran when parked.if you say so!

    Like 1
  19. Jim

    If it was a 63 or 64 I would be more interested

    Like 0

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