Forward Look Beauty! 1959 Plymouth Sport Fury
The Plymouth Fury was introduced in 1956 as a sub-series of the Belvedere. It was followed in 1958 by the Sport Fury as the top model, with a higher level of trim and sportiness (like the Impala SS would later be to the Impala). This ’59 Sport Fury has been restored and looks beautiful, tailfins and all, but we don’t know how long ago that transformation took place. From Gilbert, Arizona, this Mopar has only had one bid so far here on eBay, but it’s a strong one at $35,000.
Chrysler’s goal was to make the Sport Fury desirable by limiting it to just two body styles, a 2-door hardtop, and a convertible. After the 1959 model year, the Sport Fury was dropped only to be brought back in 1962 (again the Impala comparison likely comes into play) and lasted through 1971, two years after Chevy had pulled the plug on the full-size SS. For 1959, 17,867 hardtops were produced alongside 5,990 drop-tops.
This is a beautiful example of styling when cars were unique to each other in the 1950s. The “Forward Look” Chrysler products of 1957 looked nothing like other contemporary automobiles, so the 1958s would be little changed except for the addition of dual headlights over singles (Federal regulations had changed). As a result, the styling of the ‘59s was an evolution of the prior models. This ’59 Sport Fury was refurbished earlier and the odometer reading reset at that time, so it’s a 16,000-mile car now.
We’re told this Plymouth has all its original equipment, including the 361 cubic-inch Golden Commando V8 that replaced a 350 version from the year before. As was customary with Chrysler products through 1964, the TorqueFlite automatic transmission was of the push-button variety. This auto has lots of options, including power-assisted steering and brakes, working automatic headlight dimmers, a foot-operated automatic windshield washer, and – best of all – swivel front seats!
This is a rust-free machine, and the undercarriage looks almost clean enough to eat off. The interior is in spectacular shape and the color choices for the upholstery are more exotic than that found in today’s cars. The Sport Fury will come with a custom-made car cover and original repair manuals and an owner’s manual. As the advertisement of the day said, “Suddenly It’s 1960!” and this automobile is a fine example of the technology of the period.
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Comments
An exact copy of this car is a regular at a local Coffee & Chrome show; however, it does sport a matching continental kit. GLWTA!! :-)
A friend of mine had one exactly like this one
My first new car was 1959 Plymouth Belvedere all black 2 door hardtop which was the lowest priced hardtop avail at that time. It was the 361 Golden Commando with 3 speed stick. I probably blew a dozen transmissions in that car. With that said,I loved that car and beat a h… of a lot of Chevy’s and Pontiacs of that time.
My Dad’s lifelong gold partner had one in copper with a white roof–gorgeous! He took ribbing for the ‘toilet seat’ on the deck lid, but I wouldn’t have one any other way!
Russ–
Great write up, but one small error. The Fury was a Belvidere sub-series in 1956, 1957 and 1958. The Fury/Sport Fury did not become a stand-alone nameplate until 1959, when Chrysler dropped the Plaza nameplate and made the Savoy the entry level Plymouth, followed by the Belvidere and then the Fury and Sport Fury.
She would not fit in my barn, but I would still love to have this car……
Cue the Peter Gunn theme…………..
Going to re-watch all the Peter Gunn episodes because of this car. Nice to see it in color, lol.
Yes, though the ’59s were introduced in late calendar year ’58 the writeup could have been clearer that the Sport Fury was a ’59 model, not a ’58. The Wikipedia version makes a similar error, correctly using “for” and then incorrectly using “in” 1959.
BF:
The Plymouth Fury was introduced in 1956 (should be “for” 1956) as a sub-series of the Belvedere. It was followed in 1958 by the Sport Fury as the top model, (should be “It was followed by the Sport Fury, a new top model for 1959” or something like that)
Wikipedia:
The Plymouth Fury is a model of automobile which was produced by Plymouth from 1955 to 1989. It was introduced for (correct) the 1956 model year as a sub-series of the Plymouth Belvedere, becoming a separate series one level above the contemporary Belvedere for (correct) 1959.
But also:
In 1959, (should be “For” 1959) Plymouth introduced the Sport Fury as its top model, and the Fury as its second from the top model to replace the Plymouth Belvedere at the top of the Plymouth line-up.
Years ago I bought one to get the engine for my 59. This one was rusty. Very highly optioned. Swivel seats,ac,power windows etc. Even had cruise control that was controlled by a knob on steering column. I wish I had removed the options before sending to junkyard.
The only thing I don’t like about this car is I can’t buy it.
Didn’t the fury on come in white ? Or is that a urban legend
I remember the chop top Mercury’s of the 60s and 70s. If it didn’t have 1957 Cadillac hubcaps on it, 1959 Plymouth Fury hubcaps were the next best thing
The 56-57 Fury came in Eggshell white. The ’58 in Buckskin Beige. They had leather interiors and, I believe at least in 1958, the Golden Commando 361, but I could be wrong about the engines…..
No leather interiors on Furys/Sport Furys. Always cloth & vinyl. Only Chrysler used leather trim on the 300s. NONE of the other Chrysler performance cars. And, in 59, the Fury name no longer denoted a performance car. It was the top line models, much like the 58 Chevy Bel-Air IMPALA ht and converts were. The standard Furys were full-line, except no convert, much the same as the rest of the 58 Chevy Bel-Air line.
Christine…..where have you been !
When I was a kid, we had a turquoise 59 Surburban wagon. Mom said it had “evening gown headlights”. Carefree car, as I remember.
For the experts: Did this 361 have a two barrel carb. Were dual exhauses standard for the 361?
“Chrysler products of 1957 looked nothing like other contemporary automobiles, so the 1958s would be little changed except for the addition of dual headlights over singles (Federal regulations had changed).”
Incorrect. It was state regs that didn’t allow the quad headlights in ’57, not the feds. We didn’t have federal regulation of autos in ’57.
And not all states didn’t allow quad headlights, so some 57s have four lights , others just the two.
SOLD for $35,960.