Market Finds: The Perfect Car to Buy if You're Feeling Fast and Fury-ous

The Perfect Car to Buy if You’re Feeling Fast and Fury-ous

By Petrolicious
March 24, 2014

The car: 1958 Plymouth Fury

Price: $53,900

Location: La Jolla, California, USA

Original Ad: Click here

Ever see the big-screen adaption of Stephen King’s Christine? The main character is a possessed 1958 Plymouth Fury that wreaks havoc on folks who have ill will towards her owner. The funny thing about that movie is that the Plymouth is not a Fury – it’s a Plymouth Belvedere. Plymouth Furys from 1956-58 were always painted in an off-white color with gold trim, a true performance package pimpmobile that faced no competition from Chevrolet and Ford.

So what exactly was a Fury? After the success of the Chrysler C-300 in 1955, the rest of the corporation planned their own performance cars. Dodge went with a performance package called D-500 that was available on most of its models, but Plymouth and DeSoto followed Chrysler’s lead and came up with performance models. In Plymouth’s case, a new Fury model was introduced in January 1956 at the Chicago Auto Show and consisted of a four-barrel 303 (not a Hemi but a “polysphere” V8) with solid lifters, high-lift cam, free-flow dual exhausts, and 9.25:1 compression good for 240 horsepower. Shifting gears was handled via a three-speed manual with heavy-duty clutch or two-speed PowerFlite automatic with pushbutton controls. Heavy-duty springs and shocks, large brakes, and a front stabilizer bar were also standard. To make the Fury even more special, all were eggshell white with gold trim.

When Virgil Exner redesigned the Plymouth for 1957, ads proclaimed “Suddenly it’s 1960!” and, compared to the hallowed ’57 Chevy, Plymouth indeed seemed to be three years ahead. Lower, wider, and with more contemporary styling than the Chevy, the Plymouth never looked more spectacular than as a Fury. With a new “V-800” 318 and dual four-barrels giving 290 horsepower and available TorqueFlite three-speed automatic, the Fury had more horsepower than any Chevy too. The similar ’58 Fury continued the formula but the 318 was now joined by an optional 350 Golden Commando with 305 horsepower. However, in typical Detroit fashion, product planners watered down the Fury for 1959, making it a full-line offering in a number of body styles and without any performance pretentions, making the 1956-58 models somewhat special.

This “immaculately restored” Buckskin Beige 1958 Fury on eBay is one of 5,303 built and is powered by the standard dual-quad 318 backed by the pushbutton TorqueFlite tranny. Seller claims this Fury was treated to a “blank-check” restoration 11 years ago that lasted three years, so you can infer that every nut and bold was removed and brought back to glory. Modifications include front disc brakes and a Sirius satellite radio system and speakers working in conjunction with the original AM stereo system. With only 2600 miles since restoration, this Fury is a turn-key example of a time when style reigned supreme and performance was capturing America’s interest.

If you know of a great, stylish car for sale and would like us to feature it, let us know!

Petrolicious makes no claim as to the accuracy of the information contained in the car’s original listing, nor will it be held responsible for any errors in said information. If you’re interested in this car, do your homework and research it extensively before you buy.

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Richard Eberhardt
Richard Eberhardt
10 years ago

This Fury is stunning, indeed, but I wish we could decide between the terms rebuilt/redone and restoration. For those who have been around the grading of restored vehicles, it is important to note that any “modification” which was not factory available when the car was new, removes it from restored class and places it in rebuilt, customized or some other category.
I know that this may seem nit-picky but it really does make a difference to the purists out there.

Andreas Lavesson
Andreas Lavesson
10 years ago

I found it both funny and slightly disturbing when I found out that Christine wasn’t really a Fury. In my honest opinion, I prefer the Belvedere since white and gold doesn’t really suit my style. However for some reason, I still can’t get enough of the early Furys. Some would call the colour combination “bold” or even ostentatious and I’d be inclined to agree, but there is something there.

Dustin Rittle
Dustin Rittle
10 years ago

I have seen the movie Christine many many times and i usually watch for one reason the 1958 Plymouth Fury. These old Plymouth cars were awesome and they had just as much style as any of their biggest rivals from GM and Ford. This pretty example looks stunning in the white and gold paint job and I’m sure it can move with that dual quad 318 under the hood. It also has the push button transmission which is a nice futuristic touch from the 1950’s

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