61 Plymouth Fury Hardtop - How Rare

[68X426]

61 Plymouth Fury Hardtop - How Rare? I have an acquaintance who will soon have to sell his dream project due to emergency. So how rare is a 61?

Pictures I have seen make it appear to be a one year model: nothing at all like the 57-60 big fin models and nothing like the 62-64 models. The pic attached is not his car but shows the unique lines of the 61. I'll post info and pics as soon as he gets his stuff together.

Any early Plymouth experts out there? Thanks, Dan.

[TeeWJay426]

Not sure how rare they were when originally built, but they are quite rare now- just don't see them anymore! Could probably count on one hand the number I've seen in recent years, including at Carlisle.

[Brock Samson]

very interesting,.. Rare?.. um,.. yeah... 

198,444 sold
"It wasn't an unmitigated disaster; when 198,444 copies of anything are sold, it has to be regarded as something of a success. But it was not the success that the struggling Plymouth division had hoped for, and needed. It was only by folding in the 133,487 Valiants manufactured that year that Plymouth was able to hang by its fingertips onto fourth place in the sales race, right behind surging Rambler; without the Valiant, which had been its own division the previous year, Plymouth would have tumbled to seventh."

Production

1961 Plymouth Fury and Sport Suburban wagon two-door hardtop sedans-16,141.

So, subtracting the wagons it's pretty rare all right... compared to the 491,000 Impalas produced in '61.


from http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2006/06/01/hmn_feature3.html

[68X426]

Thank you, Brock. Great help you provided, I will pass along the article.  

If any interest is out there, it's a 61 Fury well into a restoration but has to be sold. Located in the San Francisco area, I understand that it has to be sold fast. I'll post more when the seller gets it to me.

[Brock Samson]

where near SF?..   

[TUFCAT]

Honestly, it's a cool car nowadays.

But, it a car that was so ugly, its now good looking!  (...and the reason Virgil Exner was fired).

Unfortunately, the styling took over 45 years to catch on to the public  (...as if anyone needed another reason for Exner getting fired)...  Actually it was the 1962 models that got him fired - - because they we SO UGLY compared to Ford and GM.

[Brock Samson]

  It caught on?..        really?..           where?..                               

[moparstuart]

It caught on?.. really?.. where?..                           

[TUFCAT]

Ha Brock,    Well maybe its only considered cool to the people who own them!  

Honestly, I just started liking them a couple years ago after seeing some late model Exner designs tooling around the streets of Carlisle. They look pretty wild in real life when you see one.....something akin to watching "The Jetson's" in 1925.

[Brock Samson]

 I've seen 'em too, though not cherried out slamed and cragered like the photo car Fury up top, which does look seriously sweet in all it's glorious weirdness, On the web there's a lot more pics of that car, which the wide whites make a perfect geekmobile, whenever I've seen these cars I all ways wonder "What were they thinking?!" all you need to be cool in that car is a pocket protector and taped up glasses,..Thick glasses..

             

[moparstuart]

Ha Brock,    Well maybe its only considered cool to the people who own them!  

Honestly, I just started liking them a couple years ago after seeing some late model Exner designs tooling around the streets of Carlisle. They look pretty wild in real life when you see one.....something akin to watching "The Jetson's" in 1925.

they look much better with the big oversize finns in the back to balance it out .

[Nacho-RT74]

Honestly, it's a cool car nowadays.

But, it as car that was so ugly, its now good looking! 

totally agreed. Same than post 59 Impalas/Belairs so fucking ugly but now interesting ( what still doesn't mean beautyfull ), maybe is a personal taste about the horizontal "tail wings" shape and the "sad face" shaped front clip. 58 impala is the only exception about the "tail wing" horizontal shaped I think

They just catch my attention being lowriders and fancy painted... or maybe PERFECTLY restored.

Otherwise I don't like them, but on each own

Anyway personally I wouldn't think on get one of those.

Preffer A LOT MORE same year Dodges ( 60 Seneca/Phoenix )

average, I don't like ANY earliers 60s cars from ANY brand

[68X426]

where near SF?..   

Hey Brock, I was just told the body is in Hayward, the motor (the original 318) is in Sonora (and just finished rebuilt). All the original parts are bagged and tagged and the restoration parts ready to go (in San Leandro). I hope this is not BS, and it is seriously for sale, now. So I asked for names and phone numbers and I will PM them to you as soon as I get them.

[mauve66]

cool looking car in the pic, hope the one for sale has all the unique trim for it, and here i thought 1st gens had it bad for parts, we have a whole truck load compared to that year/model car

[RallyeMike]

I'd say even more rare because not many were saved. The mutt usually doesnt get rescued from the pound, however there is a 57 Chevy in a garage on every block of America.

Then again, there are those with twisted senses of humor who love the early 60's Mopars. I'm one. The 61 Plymouth is exceptional!  

1961 Plymouth Fury and Sport Suburban wagon two-door hardtop sedans-16,141.

... and speaking of early Plymouths and odd-ball, rare 2-door wagons, here is my 60 Plymouth Suburban Deluxe 2-door... 21 years in my garage making it's debut on D-C.com.
68 440 HP, 4 speed, 67 GTX 8-3.4 w/ 3.91 SG.

[FlatbackFanatic]

Very nice wagon!!!

[68X426]

Brock: I want to send you a PM on the car but your box is full!! 

[Nacho-RT74]

well... if somebody wants a 4 doors

http://articulo.tucarro.com.ve/MLV-25996662-carros-de-coleccion-otros-plymouth-1961-_JM

[mauve66]

some how that ones not as cool looking as the first one....................

[Magnumcharger]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dodgedeora/4756030189/in/set-72157624287545139/

[Nacho-RT74]

NICE PICS!!!

I not have seen everyone ( too much pics ) but just begining IM DROOOLING OVER THIS
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dodgedeora/4756664460/in/set-72157624287545139/

[bluefury]

I not have seen everyone ( too much pics ) but just begining IM DROOOLING OVER THIS
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dodgedeora/4756664460/in/set-72157624287545139/
[/quote]

i'd love to run across a 61 in a yard like this..... I just aquired a 61 fury convertible. Don't need much but could upgrade a few items.

[JB400]

Really good find bluefury  How about some details? 

Welcome to the group

[bluefury]

Thanks, glad to be here.
Recently picked up this Fury, found in Tennessee. 41K original miles, runs and drives great. Lots of options... 318 auto, P/S, P/B, radio, heater, P/windows, remote mirror, aero steering wheel, all vinyl interior, front bumper riser, headlight trim shields, all tinted glass. I drove it the 180 miles home. I'm gathering parts and info for a complete restoration.
I'm just finishing the restro on a 69 Chrysler 300 convertible. We drove it to Daytona Beach for the turkey run over thanksgiving. (All my cars are driven on road trips several times a year).
The 65 Coronet is ole reliable and has been driven over 10K miles in the past 2 1/2 years. Its a factory A/C 318 convertible.

Trying to find a charger convertible....LOL.

Will.

Really good find bluefury  How about some details?  

Welcome to the group

[JB400]

Looks like you have a nice collection.  I'm glad to hear they see the open road; right where they should be.  Best of luck on your resto on the 61 Fury.

[bluefury]

A few more shots of the 61 Fury.
It's tough to find information about these cars, The forward Look site has been helpful but still a few mysteries. 1962 started a whole new chapter in mopar history and nothing crosses over.

If anyone here has fender tag code info or any factory literature on 61 Plymouth's i'd love to see it.

:shruggy:Having trouble posting pics...... I'll work on it...

[JB400]

You might talk to Cooter.  He has a 59 Belvedere Christine look alike.  He does a lot of web searching and hangs out on other forums.  You might pm him.  He'll be back on here around later on today.  He's always happy to help.

[41husk]

I would love to have it.  I don't know the value but always wanted a mopar from the year I was born, but just never liked any of the styles.  Oh wait I was born in 91 not 61.

[RallyeMike]

The Forwardlook.net is one of the best resources I found. There are some very knowledgable people, but one thing you will discover is that not as detailed of information known about forward look cars as the muscle car era.

There are reasonable differences between the pre59 cars and 60-61, the earlier cars having been frame-on-body, and the 60-61 being uni-body, but you probably already know that. You will have reasonable parts interchangability with 1960.

Great looking 61 ! 

[bluefury]

I would love to have it.  I don't know the value but always wanted a mopar from the year I was born, but just never liked any of the styles.  Oh wait I was born in 91 not 61.

91.........!!!!!! This ole Plymouth was an antique way before you ever got here....LOL....
Glad you like it though.... Thanks.

[TUFCAT]

Like I said in my earlier posts....I'm starting to like these cars!    After 50 years the styling is cool.

[41husk]

just playin with the 91. My son was born in 82.  That would mean I concieved him when I was 9.  I guess I was a real player back in the day!

[Bob T]

Nice line up Blue Fury. I'm a Fin convert out in the colonies, quite a few of my Friends have Finned beauties, 57 + 58 fury's, 300F, 300C, 300D, De Soto Fireflite, 6o Fury hardtop, 60 Imperial Le Baron and early Darts & Phoenix, my next one likely will be Imperial, love em, could never afford a Letter Car   

[draftingmonkey]

Dang, don't know how I missed this post the first time around.  I learned to drive in a '61 Fury 4 door HT. 318 Poly engine, push button shift, Salmon paint color.  Nicknamed the "Pink Elephant" by kids in my HS. Was a blast to drive but a real bear to parallel park for the driving test.  I was going to restore it but pappy sold it while I was stationed overseas. Still miss that car. If I can find some pics I'll post them.

[Cooter]

Yes, F. look .net. is bout the best place along with a fellow friend and GREAT guy Mr. John Fowley of "BIG M AUTO" in Williams California. Has over 100 cars for parts and some for resto.