Fin-tastic: 1960 Plymouth Fury Convertible
Virgil Exner’s excess verged on tiresome by the early 1960s. Fins were fading and automotive design was about to become more conservative. But we’re not the customers of yore, bombarded with over-styled cars everywhere we turn. Against the landscape of the incessantly bland cars of today, something like this 1960 Plymouth Fury convertible seems exotic. It’s listed here on facebook Marketplace for $25,000, and it needs cosmetic work throughout. We owe thanks to T.J. for finding this swanky ride, currently garaged in San Francisco, California.
The second-generation Fury offered buyers a choice of engines all the way from the new 225 cu. in. slant-six to the famous RB “wedge” 413 cu. in. V8. This car has the small-block 318 poly V8, recently rebuilt and looking spiffy nestled in its engine bay. I could wish that while the engine was out, the surfaces in here were cleaned up a bit more professionally, but all in all, the engine bay won’t be embarrassing at Cars ‘N Coffee. The transmission is a three-speed Torque-Flite automatic. The Fury weighed in at around 3500 to 3700 lbs so zero to sixty times ranged from about 8 seconds for the big block to around 15 seconds for the slant-six; top speed averaged 110 mph.
Looking past its condition, the interior is unique, even by the standards of the late ’50s and early ’60s. The sparkly, translucent, squared-oval steering wheel is very difficult to replace. I can’t tell if these are swivel seats, but Plymouth offered that option to Fury buyers, supposedly as a convenience to appeal to women. The instrument panel and trim are straight out of the Jetsons, with a floating pod containing a linear speedometer, spoon-shaped protrusions around the steering wheel center, and spacey elliptical door panel inserts. The upholstery needs replacement, the finishes are tired, and the trunk needs refinishing. The seller notes that the underside is rusty, but no photos are supplied. The paint, top, and chrome should be renewed.
For 1960, the Fury lost the extravagant anodized side trim that ran from the headlight all the way down the side to end in an embrace of the round “Forward Look” emblem on the tail. But the “trash can” trunk lid is retained, the last year for that dubious embellishment. The 1960 models marked the end of an era for Chrysler, which was about to enter a sales slump that would tarnish its name for decades. But today, collectors recognize finned cars as art, and many enjoy six-figure prices. The convertible body style is desirable, and of course in these days of resto-mods, swapping out that small block comes to mind. How would you handle the restoration of this Fury?
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Comments
While I love convertibles, this is one of the very few cars I think looks better as a coupe than the convertible does even with the top down. Here’s a past listing for a hardtop in the same color: https://barnfinds.com/flying-tailfins-1960-plymouth-fury/
Wow. Just wow. Jetsons for sure. Not a fan of the steering wheel. It looks like some art hung on the wall of a mid fifties ranch home. Even so, some steering wheels today dare to be square ish. I would start with the interior. Rebuilt engine? Leave it alone.
You don’t like that steering wheel ? …..Me either
I’ve never seen a steering wheel like that before.
Looks like you press on spoons for the horn 😂😂
Probably pretty rare if you wanted one.
To each their own
I love the steering “wheel” and horn bar because they are so unique. Square with clear glittery sections. Jet-age design is so cool!
Definitely a car worth considering, but I would want to inspect it on a lift for any rust problems floor-wise. That could be cost-prohibitive being Chrysler’s first year for unibody. Overall it looks solid, and having seen others I know NOS interior fabrics can be found. That top looks original; being SF perhaps it is?
Exner’s greatest aplomb. A love or hate design – and IMO way over the top which explains the stylings of the 61 Mopar line up a bit better.
Looks like a good start for someone that likes this car. Yep love it or hate it, it’s what Chrysler was offering and fins were a real thing
Charming as it is, telling its history…. Keep it mechanically viable, and enjoy…
One of these sold for > $100,000 at a recent Mecum auction.
Compared to other 1960 fins, Plymouth looks pretty nice.
Suddenly it was 1960 for real but Chrysler Corp. was stuck in 1950s design language and that was unforgivable. Look how modern the 1960 Fords and Chevys look in comparison. So what did Plymouth do? Introduce the truly insane 1961 Fury, which looked like it was designed by someone running a 105 degree fever. This one is fun though, and as long as it runs and drives and isn’t eaten up by rust, the buyer can have fun with it and do a cosmetic refresh and sell it for a profit, which is what I would do.
Absolutely FINN tastic for Plymouths final Finned fantasies. FURY ously love this OTT excessive luxury LAND YACHT almost as it’s location. Can definitely see cruisin The Castro in this bodacious beauty with 🏳️🌈 flags flying and Tony Bennett singing I Left My Heart in San Francisco on the radio. Well I can DREAM of Somewhere Over The Rainbow 🌈! 👍 I THINK 🤔 we can STILL dream! 😉
@Rick W
Don’t dream it, be it!
(RHPS)
@ Angel 😇! I HAVE been many things 😲 😳 And have been many places while still 💪 and PROUD. Guess It’s better to be a has been than a never was! Any further word from Uncle Vito? I still would kiss the ring 💍 but there’s more than enough kissing 💋 💩 these days. Did I say that 🤔? Yes I DID! 😉 Just further evidence of how twisted 🌪 I can be 🌪. Friends, they say, are those who come IN when the rest of the world goes out! Thank you for being a friend 💖 ! A true GOLDEN GIRL.🌹
What a great car!
It’s the kind of car and in the condition I would have snapped up once upon a time. Heck I would be happy to have it now except for one thing……it’s too darn expensive.
It needs everything from paint to an interior. I’m too lazy to look up and see what the engine should look like but I’m guessing it shouldn’t be all silver. I can understand a long time owner valuing his ‘beloved’ car in a way a buyer might think excessive but , unless inflation has REALLY distorted the car market, I thing this seller is off the mark.
What do you guys think and what is the consensus on it’s value?
WOOD I? See my post! Life can be a dream, just like this car. But as a Vintage Rolls Canardly (Roll down one hill and Can ardly get up the next), the price and necessary work put in OVER THE RAINBOW but we still can dream!
WOOD I? See my post! Life can be a dream, just like this car. But as a Vintage Rolls Canardly (Roll down one hill and Can ardly get up the next), the price and necessary work put in OVER THE RAINBOW but we still can dream!
Nice start for a project car, but at half the asking price. I had a 60 Plymouth Fury station wagon in 1965. It had the poly motor and was fine around town. I made the mistake of driving it from CA to Pa. After about 2 hours on the freeway the oil light came on. I checked the oil and it was empty. I put in 4 quarts and kept going. The next fuel stop, I checked the oil and it was way over full. When I got to Pa, I pulled the valve covers and discovered that the tiny drain holes in the ends of the heads were partially filled with sludge. When driving at speed the oil wouldn’t drain back into the pan fast enough to keep the oil sump full. No more poly motors for me after that.
Hotrodbuilder, you do realize that that oil drain issue is not unique to Plymouth engines I assume. It must have been dependent on the brand of oil that was used. My neighbor bought a very nice 72 Olds Cutlas and it had that problem. They make brushes to clean out the oil return passages.
Why resto-mod when it has a perfectly fine rebuilt 318?
@Rick W
🤗
As a Golden Girl I’d be Blanche, with a hint of Rose. 🤷♀️
@Angel. I Blanche at the thought of you being as Ditzy as Rose, but you’re sweet as a 🌹with a touch of Blanche Dubois! 🏰. You might also be a Designing Woman and that’s a very good thing. My favorite Suzanne loved her Cadillacs. I once considered a sitcom Called SILVER STUDS with a varied group of mature guys sharing a home in Hollywood, all working in various jobs in Movies 🎬. Guess I’ll go out like NORMA DESMOND, ready for my CLOSE UP!
It’ll be going to Fin land as they like these over there along with all the others across the pond…..
The “spoons” on the steering wheel are located in the right spot to press with your thumbs so you don’t have to take a hand off the wheel to press a center button. Pretty innovative. I love this spaceship.
These look so bada$$ from the rear! Never gave these much thought when I was younger, but I woul love to cruise one now.