Is That You Roscoe? 1978 Plymouth Fury Police Car
Jeff Lavery recently teased this 1978 Fury in his writeup of a 1982 AMC Concord that came from the same stash as this car and the 1985 Plymouth Fury police car I wrote about. At this point, I’d be really interested in knowing whose stash of government vehicles this is and why they kept them hidden away in an airplane hangar for 30 years (or more)! This 1978 Plymouth Fury has been locked up for 36 years following its sale to a private owner in 1982. Though dusty, this is a very straight car with extremely minimal rust and no notable body damage other than the rear driver’s side door. Find it here on eBay in California where bidding is up to $1,200 and the reserve is off.
Being that this is a police car, it has the police package 360 Chrysler small block V8. The 318s and 360s were very similar, though of course, the 360 was bigger. While neither engine was anemic, the Chrysler small-block was never known for “power” necessarily, rather durability. That said, the police package 360s were powerful little engines, and can be some of the easiest small blocks to build power out of.
I can’t help but assume that all of these cars were stored with their windows down, considering they all have the same thick layer of dust on both the inside and the outside. I would be curious to know what was being done (or not being done) with some of these cars because this Fury is missing a passenger side wheel! As I said of the 1985 Fury, a good cleaning would go a very long way with this car. Being a police car means it likely has nothing but smooth vinyl for seats and floor, and that material usually cleans up easily with the right products!
I like that the seller has left the cars from this stash “barn fresh” only because I know how satisfying it would be to hose all that grime off! It may be a four-door, but it has the police package and two police wheels. That alone makes this a cool ride! With some police livery and roof-mounted lights, this would be a fun cruiser!
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Comments
Kind of surprised this example isn’t packing a 440. The engine alone would be worth a mint.
Some departments had “city” and “highway” units. Small blocks (or even sixes) for patrol, detectives, etc, and big blocks for pursuit.
That energy-absorbing rear bumper is an especially unfortunate design element, otherwise I’d love to hose it down and get ‘er on the road again so’s I could could chase them Duke Boys!
Who would have dreamed in the 70’s or 80’s that ANYONE would EVER want an ex police car?
Meeeee I would, I’d sell my ford excursion for one
I used Kar Kraft White Wall cleaner to clean the vinyl mats and upholstery then. I understand the same formulation is still available. I swept up the loose dirt, sprayed it on, and wiped it clean with a rag. It ended up looking like I had put a dressing on it. One unfortunate ‘dressing’ I used silicone spray to dress my vinyl seat. It was as much fun as a Slip and Slide!
White wall cleaner worked well on white vinyl tops, too. But you had to be sure to keep it rinsed off the paint; discoloration was wicked.
Yeah Charlie, we flooded the paint with water and rinsed often. Basically, we rinsed after each quarter of the top was scrubbed. I forgot include the scrubbing step before the wiping step in my previous post. It was not as easy as spraying and wiping.
So many of these were wrecked in movies and tv shows that I’m surprised survivors are popping up!
Don’t be fooled by a Chrysler small block – the 340 embarrasses many who attempt to challenge.
It’s nice to have police car that’s quick, but as an officer explained to me….”We weren’t too concerned about speed…..We had motorolas” LOL!!!! I said..i know what cha mean. There is no bad guy who can outrun a motorola
Like i said about his other police car, man these things are as fun as all get out! Bring em to car shows like I do my 87 Fury, Ex NYPD, all the lights and sirens work perfectly and man I tell ya!! the kids just love em! Much fun.Whenever someone tried to look at the ho hum /dime /a / dozen Chevelle next to me, I’d flick the lights and siren on my Fury and it brough miles of smiles. I think one of those times I think I pissed off the big tough guy chevelle owner. I hope this one finds a good home.
What kind of data terminal did nypd used back then and do you have it? What radio is in there? Synthor?
An MDT, or mobile data terminal is a highly sophisticated computer used in today’s fleet units, not just police use but taxi cabs as well. Again, my Fury is a 1987 and simply did not exist then. The radio was removed when decommissioned. I’m happy the lights and sirens, spotlight and push bars are still there and functioning though
Unless you are a member of our treasured LEO depts. a police car doesn’t exactly envision happy times for most. Usually associated with people at their worst. I always thought people that bought an old police car, didn’t have the guts to be a real officer, but wanted to be a big shot anyway. I sat in a couple, and don’t want anything to do with one. Again, great monster truck show material.
Well, I’m sorry for your less than optimistic feelings towards ex Police Cars, and I’m ok with it, as this is exactly what this board is set up for. Folks to express free and open ideas. Again, I love my 87 Fury. It brings me great joy.
There is a 70 44 interceptor engine on my local craigslist, would fit well in this. Would also make a good birthday present for my father. he has owned many old interceptor cars, and they are amazing (if you have money for a lot of new tires).
Police fleets aside. After the 73 model, the Plymouth Fury slowly went down the drain. Chrysler made no attempts to individualize, market, nor beautify the Fury. Chrysler/Plymouth basically awarded the Fury to Taxi commissions and Police departments all around the nation.
Police packs still had the 400 as an option in ’77 and ’78. Had a ’77 Sport Fury with the Lean Burn 400 and full police package that was special ordered on a 2 dr body. Vinyl top, white walls and wheel covers made it into a fairly nice sleeper for a high school kid in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
JUST FOR.THE RECORD SOLD FOR 2100 WHAT A STEAL!!!
remimds me.of all the military police cars chasing after the A-Team. Slap vintage plates on it so you can have all the sirens and lights on it without getting into trouble with the law.
That sure is a steal. Boy, if that old Fury could talk. Lights and sirens. No siree Bob. You definitely do not want to use these things on public h’ways. Impersonating is a Federal offense. Heck, when I’m out cruising, the “bubble gum” light my car has with the magnetic base gets hidden under my seat during the day
Hey. These Furys aren’t exactly in abundance anymore. They are fun cars to drive and kids and adults alike adore my retired NYPD Fury. A retired NYPD officer came up to me and talked to me for a good 45 minutes. Loved every minute of it