Lore has it that Chrysler downsized their full-sized Plymouths and Dodges in 1962 on a rumor that Chevrolet had plans to do the same. Keyhole listeners got it wrong as Chevy was instead gearing up to add a second compact, the Chevy II/Nova. The result? The two brands would be at a competitive disadvantage for the next couple of years. The seller’s 1964 Plymouth Fury is one of 5,173 convertibles built that year and is a mostly complete but long-stalled project. From Vancouver, Washington, this unfinished Mopar is available here on craigslist for $3,900. And our thanks to “Curvette” for another tip from yesteryear.
How bad was the downsizing at Plymouth (remember, gas was 20 cents per gallon)? They sold 20% fewer cars in 1962 than in 1961, at a time when Chevy and Ford were sailing right along. The corporate reaction was swift and larger 1963s using the same B-body platform helped sales rebound by nearly double, followed by another rise in 1964 when this ragtop was assembled. A new platform arrived in 1965, and Chrysler would once again be on an equal footing.
We’re told that this once blue Fury has been sitting in dry storage for three decades. Perhaps it was someone’s father’s project that only went so far because he could no longer manage it. The 361 cubic inch V8 was pulled and disassembled, with some mods done in the process. The push-button TorqueFlite transmission has been rebuilt and awaits rejoining its berth. The overall car has 175.000 miles, so everything was obviously tired when all this work commenced in the 1990s.
Overall, the Plymouth is mostly complete, per the seller. You’ll have to source some of the convertible top pieces that are either bad or have taken flight. The body is good with a limited amount of corrosion due to the car having occupied dry surroundings. The interior was stripped of the seats and so forth, and they’re in the garage. Are you the guy or gal who is going to put the “fury” back in this Fury?
A lot of work but the bones are good. For 3900 you could have something that’s not seen much. I like this Plymouth, but I’m curious. What are resized rods? I understand the cylinders are over bore and it has new pistons. Was it done to increase compression? Asking for a friend.
“”Resized rods” are connecting rods that have been precisely measured, and had the wrist pin and crank journal bores honed. A great thing to do on a quality rebuild, as opposed to tossing in a set of rings and bearings.
It’s one of the jobs that I learned to do at Cummins NW Diesel years ago
Thanks Bunky. I learn something new here everyday.
Love it!
Yep….floors to die for…..I’d say a BUY at this price !
A good start at a good price if you have the time, skills and money.
Had a Fury 9 passenger wagon with the 318. It was rock solid. We called it Supercar! Backed my new Volvo into it one frosty morn. Score Plymouth 1 Volvo 0.
If this thing was complete and running/driving I would be taking a serious look at it. Because it’s one of the last cars I remember my Dad owning before he passed away when I was 15 I hope the next care taker of this car brings it back to what it should be.
Hard to believe that Chrysler bought in to the GM downsizing rumor at a time when bigger was better.
Thirding: this is a solid car to bring back IF the rear quarters & trunk pan are anywhere near as solid as the floor pan.
I had a ’65 Fury III convertible for about ten years, before the internet. Might have kept it if the rear quarters & trunk pan weren’t toast; it was a constant fight to keep the rust at bay. I did patch holes in the front floor (RTV & pop-rivets – I was poor).
I’m nervous more about the engine – I’ve done one before, but I’d probably want a shop to do it in case I screwed something up.
The other issue is the interior upholstery & trim. That could be a project/grail search to get it right. Carpets & seat covers are probably no issue, but the door panels…
Appears to be missing the top motor/pump assembly. Runs about $500. Chrysler hydraulic top rams are rebuildable! The business end unscrews. I did mine – basically replaced the O-rings.
Had I the space, this would be tempting – but in the Northeast: better keep it indoors.
Someone’s going to score a great project. GLWTS
If my Dad was still alive he would be all over this car. His last convertible was a ’67 Fury III. He loved Mopars from the ’50s and 60s. Plus his ’58 Corvette. He was sorry that he sold his Fury III to a good family friend that made him an offer he didn’t refuse as the friend knew if it was my Dad’s it would be perfect which it was. That family friend has since passed on and his son is now the proud owner.
Always liked these cars from boyhood. They looked like they were moving even when parked. And add to that a favorite teacher
of mine bought a new Dodge Polara that year and man, that car
was sharp! Yeah, I bought a ’63
Plymouth wagon off.my.cousin
to help him pay his child support,
but it just didn’t have the looks of the ’64 Belvedere a young neighbor of mine got from.his stepdad. I wanted that car in the worst way until that young man
went batsh*t crazy and beat it to pieces with a jack handle because it wouldn’t start one morning. As for the ragtop, I’d more than likely restore the body and interior, and run either a late
model 392 hemi from a wrecked
Charger or a Keith Black 440 Magnum V-8 topped with fuel injection and a turbo with 10-15
pounds of boost. Either of these
engines would be mated to an HD
727 Torque Flight tranny and a Dana 60 rear axle. 500 HP and 550 foot pounds of torque would turn this thing into a MoPar missile! And the 361? I’d keep it around for the next guy to restore
the car fully after I’d be forced to
sell it after getting waaaay too many speeding tickets LMAO 😂!
Now lessee, what was that I heard about older people reverting back to their second
childhood? Dunno, but it would be a real hoot to see 😇 Angel drive it!
Oops…Almost forgot the Brute Force U-joints and the frame mounted loop to keep the drive shaft from dropping out if you lit
the tires up too much!