Designed by the legendary Virgil Exner, the 1961 Plymouth Fury is one of the most eclectic and fascinating four-wheeled Mid-Century designs to ever roam planet Earth.
Out of this World:
41,857-mile '61 Plymouth Fury
2 Door Hardtop Coupe
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Featuring a face only a mother could love, Impala-like, horizontal wings with rocket-inspired tail light pods deeply set into concave quarter panels, the Sixty-one was simply too radical, too unconventional to find general acceptance by the buying public and contributed to the end of the Exner era at Chrysler. For pretty much the same reason, a Dali painting, while exciting and smartly executed, won't make it into the majority of American living rooms.
Now, 56 years later, finding a '61 in fine fettle -- anywhere -- is an almost impossible task. Finding one that has never been restored, an original surviving example that presents itself in museum condition is like winning the powerball lottery.
Here's one -- the one!
Hailing from a small private auto collection in the Midwest specializing in the preservation of original American iron, this Fury is a reference car in the true meaning of the term. We'd like to believe that it's the best-kept specimen of its kind in the country, perhaps the world.
The car's well-preserved fender tag tells us that this Plymouth Fury 2-door hardtop (332) was built on June 7th, painted Alpine White (525) and was fitted with red-and-white trim (WW1).
The Fury was sold new just a few days after it was manufactured, on June 19, 1961, by Austin Auto, the local Chrysler-Plymouth franchise, to Dr. Fenton of 104 W. Oakland Ave, a well-known Austin dentist. Incredibly, from the original title application and Plymouth Service Certificate, to the owner's manual and accessory booklets, the car is as fully documented as it gets.
Virtually unheard of: carefully inscribed "Certified Car Care" vouchers, detailing services at regular intervals.
Fastidious when it came to caring for his Fury, the original owner even kept the stickers from "L-O-F" services, the last one, dated 09/28/1976, still gracing the door frame.
Last registered in 1977, this Fury still carries its vintage Minnesota license plate. Upon the passing of Dr. Fenton, his beloved Fury was put away, to be stored warm and dry for 33 years, until it was discovered and subsequently purchased by the aforementioned collector.
Along with the original books and records, a plethora of documents pertaining to the car's history is neatly organized in a large, three ring binder.
Let's now inspect this amazing survivor in more detail, starting up front, with the hood. The original -- not reproduction -- sound pad still presents extremely well.
Residing in an all original, corrosion-free engine compartment is the matching numbers 1961 318 cu. in. MoPar engine.
Officially named "V 800," Plymouth's polyspheric "A" engine develops 230 real horsepower. I can personally attest to its prowess, having driven an equally equipped '65 Fury from Hamburg to Frankfurt once in under three hours, the speedometer indicating 120mph for long stretches of Autobahn.
Note correct silver finish to engine. Car is equipped with "torsion-aire" suspension and power steering, as well as the new-for-1961 alternator.
Details from the crypt: factory OK stamp, clean crevices, factory stickers, factory "Jiffy Jet" windshield washer fluid bag.
Well-proportioned Coupe body is in immaculate condition. Free of rust or damage, bubbling of any kind, dings, dents, scratches, nicks, or chips, just the lower sides have been painted, a few years ago, perfectly matching the upper body's factory original paint finish.
Steel wheels feature the optional full wheel covers and original-sized, like-new GOODYEAR Cushion-Aire bias ply 7.50 x 14 tires.
A truly breathtaking-looking automobile from the "Jetsons" era. Apart from a few, very small dings in the -- otherwise stunning -- brightwork, there is nothing to nitpick or niggle. Factory tinted glass, chrome, rubber: everything looks magnificently preserved.
Let's have a look inside now. Get ready to be amazed!
Toothbrush-clean door jambs, truly "mint" original door panels, last service sticker applied @ 40,888 miles, 40 years ago -- those are just a few of the stunning details of this true survivor -- of the good kind!
Most, if not all restored MoPars of the era will come with incorrect fabric headliners. Not so this one. Here's the original, perforated cardboard headliner, made from Unobtainium, in outstanding condition.
Note matching sun visors.
The '61 Plymouth features a unique, space-age dash design. No detail was overlooked. It's almost as if the Detroit stylists took cues from California customizers like Barris, Roth and Jeffries.
Gauge cluster and gauges look immaculate. Save for the electric clock, everything works flawlessly.
Like a mechanical typewriter . . . . pushbuttons control Torqueflite shifter and cabin heater functions.
Check out the perfectly preserved, embossed dashpad!
A special treat is the onboard RCA Victor record player. AM radio works, too!
Absolutely flawless, original, red-and-white cloth-and-naugahyde upholstery.
Upholstery fabric details.
Rear bench seat looks new. Just new. But -- it's all original!
A remarkable rear end. Check out Plymouth's Sky-Hi rear window!
Trunk with original mat looks like it was hardly ever used.
Originality abounds: jacking decal, original spare tire, jacking equipment.
Like a virgin . . . unmolested, original undercarriage. We've just had the boys at Kenz Muffler of Oxnard, Calif. install a brand new, true dual exhaust system. Gas tank, filter and sending unit were also replaced, carburetor rebuilt, battery and parking brake shoes replaced.
Marvelously preserved, original floor pans. No Mickey-Mouse undercoating and not a single rust hole anywhere!
Ready for a test drive?
Piloting this dinosaur through 21st century traffic is nothing short of sensational. Most people have no clue what they're looking at. It's so very different!
Driving impression leaves nothing to be desired. Light steering, excellent handling (remember, this car featured advanced unit-body design with torsion bar suspension), sure-footed braking, and a beautiful, softly burbling sound from the V8 are true hallmarks of this well-kept, super-low-mileage Plymouth.
Returning home, we wear big smiles. This is vintage MoPar motoring at its best. Apparently, this level of driver satisfaction is only attainable from a low-mileage car, this '61 Plymouth being vastly superior to any restored ones we've driven before.
Rarely arises the opportunity to acquire one of the finest cars of its kind on the planet. This '61 Fury is a worthy candidate to be a "forever car," to be proudly displayed on the circular driveway of a Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern home, shown at the next "Fall Fling" show in Woodley Park, or parked under a soft flannel cover in the garage of any true MoPar enthusiast, to be driven on special occasions.
Addendum:
We sold this exceptional Plymouth Fury in Fall of 2017.
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