Plymouth Fury Convertible, 1961
Plymouth Fury II
Plymouth Fury II•
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Chassis No.: 3311154875
Auction: Kissimmee 2019
Auction date: January 13, 2019
Lot No.: F105.1
$121,000 | Sold
- Exterior: Gold
- Body: Convertible
- Virgil Exner design
- 1 of 6,948 Fury Convertibles produced in 1961
- Extensive restoration performed by Thunderbirds Etc. in Fort Worth, Texas
- Sonoramic Commando 383/330 HP V-8 engine
- Cross Ram intake
- Dual Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetors
- Pushbutton Torqueflite transmission
- Torsion bar independent front suspension
- Live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs
- Power steering
- Power brakes
- Finished in Bronze Metallic
- Gold vinyl upholstery with Beige, Orange and Gray cloth inserts
- Power convertible top
- Remote driver’s mirror
- Metal-flake steering wheel
- AM radio with power antenna
- Chrome wire wheels
- Wide Whitewall tires
The extensive restoration performed by Thunderbirds Etc. in Fort Worth, Texas, is evident from every angle on this big Plymouth, which is one of 6,948 Fury convertibles produced back in 1961. The decade of the 1960s had started with upheaval for management at the Chrysler Corporation, and one of the causalities of that fallout was talented stylist Virgil Exner. Though working with international design firms like Ghia had resulted in purely stunning concepts, Exner’s work on vehicles in the 1961 model line was modified by the Executive Committee.
Exner was subsequently blamed when sales failed to materialize, yet his honor has continued as these ’61 models are now prized as unique representations of the Kennedy era, the space race and rapid transitions occurring in America. Of course, Chrysler engineering was evident as well, with the torsion-bar independent front suspension and live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Under the hood, this Fury arrived with the Sonoramic Commando 383/330 HP V-8 engine with crossed-over 30-inch-long intake runners that were ideal for passing. Dual Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetors, one for each bank of the engine, were part of the Sonoramic’s final offering in the Plymouth line.
Here the engine is backed by the pushbutton 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, and the car received both power steering and power brakes. Finished in attractive Bronze Metallic, this convertible sports gold vinyl upholstery with a beige, orange and gray cloth insert. It features the power convertible top, remote driver's mirror, Chrysler’s metal-flake steering wheel, the AM radio with power antenna and a lot of interior space. Styling on the outside includes the Fury identification, exclusive grille and headlamp treatment for 1961, enough sheet metal to build a half-dozen Toyotas, chrome wire wheels and wide whitewall tires.
The era of this car’s construction quickly passed, and Exner’s fins would fade for more utilitarian stylings. With long rams, full-bodied cues and functional equipment, this convertible is indeed exceptional.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/359501/1961-plymouth-fury-convertible/
