Luxurious Barn Find: 1966 Plymouth Fury VIP
This 1966 Fury VIP is indeed a rare car as the seller proclaims, although back in the sixties Plymouth didn’t intend for it to be, as the brand had high hopes that their new luxury model would catch on and become a popular choice in the lineup. It didn’t. The Very Important Plymouth, or VIP, was the top-of-the-line Fury and embraced the concept of offering a higher trim level as standard, such as Ford had recently done on its LTD and Chevy with their Caprice a year prior. But while the latter two were quite successful in terms of sales, Plymouth only managed to move around 12,000 units of its competitor during the first year, and low numbers back then equal rarity now, so this 1966 Fury VIP here on Craigslist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is sure to stand out wherever you go. Plus it can do so for $12,000, with the owner also open to hearing offers.
The VIP was mainly a Fury III including some upgrades, but it was billed as a separate model, with special emblems outside so others would know you spent beyond what the I, II, or III offering would have cost. The VIP also came with standard rear side skirts, but they’ve been removed here along with the radio antenna, and with 16 years of storage soiling on top its a bit difficult to envision what the red finish might look like once the car moves and gets cleaned up, though I’d guess reasonably good.
The Very Important Plymouth touch also got buyers a more fancy interior, with plush seating and door panels plus some extra simulated woodgrain trim. The seller mentions the inside here is new and has been redone to the original specifications, but it must have been only partial before the Plymouth was parked, as there’s plenty of soiling evident. However, I’m not seeing any tears in the upholstery and with a good cleaning, the seats and panels would probably look pretty good, although I’m not so sure about the carpet. The instrument cluster is detached but is included in the sale.
Stepping up to VIP status also meant getting a V8 under the hood with a minimum of 318 cubic inches, but the seller says his has the optional 383, which is currently running. It’s also equipped with a TorqueFlite, but there’s no word on its present state of operation or lack of. We don’t get to view any photos from the underside, but the owner states No RUST AT ALL in capital letters so I’m assuming no means no here. If the Fury is actually driveable as-is, I’m thinking with a thorough detailing this one would be a fun weekend cruiser for the $12k range or less. What are your thoughts?
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Comments
Although the VIP had a more “luxurious” interior, personally, I felt that it didn’t look nearly as good as my Sport Fury. Without the console/buckets, and full side trim, it seemed to be a plainer car to me. This one looks to have good potential; GLWTS!! :-)
Absolutely! I had a 1966 Sports fury when my wife and I were married in 1969. Like my wife, it was the most beautiful thing I ever saw.
This was a big time when the low price three started moving into the mid price territory. Maybe just enough to sway someone away from a Buick, Mercury or Olds.
That is one crappy ad. Especially for a guy who claims to be a vehicle broker.
Huge lack of info and no effort put into cleaning that pigsty up or even rolling it outside. The “new” interior shows what appears to be mold or mildew on the seats. Cluster is lying on the floor. If he’s been hired by the owner to “broker” this car he needs to be fired.
100%agree with Terry spot on for 12k it could be a nice car but for Pete’s sake back it into the open wash the exterior, steam clean the interior, and engine, and at least place the speedometer cluster back in place reminds me of my first car a white 65 sport fury
But without the dust it only an “alleged” barn find. Believe it or not, that dust adds money and desirability in many folks’ eyes and even the high end auction houses will sometimes keep the dust on valuable barn finds for auction.
“ Broker’s” business name is Zillamates. Should be Zeromates.
He must have watched “Chasing Classic Cars” when Wayne Carini finds this 100 year old car in a barn and doesn’t want to upset the “patina”. This is “just” an old Plymouth, potentially a nice car but show me what I am buying…unless you have something to hide.
If runs and drives, drive it to the car wash, clean the interior, a few more pictures underneath the car would help, better yet, do a video driving it to the car wash, as it sits right now how about $ 5.000, let me know.
Extremely desirable for me except for no A/C and maybe its condition. I’d have to see it in person to be able to judge for myself.
I really like these cars especially the big block ones.i have the money and means to go get it. Two things make me weary of it. 1 pics are a joke . Take some before and after pics and move it outside and clean it. 2 how hard is to put the dash head back in and working? 12 grand doesn’t sound like a lot of money til you get there checking ot out and find out its a 2 grand car. Smh a little elbow grease goes a long way.
You would think VIP would be an A/C power windows car at the minimum, GM was installing tape decks, etc