Vehicle Description
Survivors of all shapes and sizes are red hot today, and this neat
1978 Plymouth Sport Fury represents a new generation of collectable
cars. Affordable, interesting, and great to drive, it will bring
fresh hobbyists into the fold, guys who remember these cars from
their childhood, and that's what the old car hobby is all
about.
As far as we can tell, the black paint on this car is entirely
original save for the right front fender, which was repainted years
ago. That was probably when the car was in regular service,
although given its preservation and the low mileage (37,850), that
probably wasn't for long. The big coupe definitely has presence and
it's remarkable to see just how big and flashy even the Plymouths
were in the 1970s. Fit and finish are just the way the factory did
it, with surprisingly good gaps and big doors that close easily,
and even that gigantic hood sits flush behind the upright grille.
There are a few signs of use, of course, but nothing major beyond
some nicks on the rockers that are all but inevitable. And since
this was the 1970s, there's plenty of chrome, including big shiny
bumpers at both ends, the stainless rub strip running the length of
the bodywork, and big PLYMOUTH lettering on the nose and tail.
There's also an interesting white vinyl half-roof, which gives this
luxury coupe a distinctive look that works rather well.
If you thought houndstooth upholstery was just for Camaros, you're
in for a surprise here, because the tastefully outfitted interior
in this Sport Fury looks great. Big, plush bucket seats perfectly
capture the spirit of the 1970s but they don't go overboard into
ridiculousness like so many others. And they are certainly
well-preserved, with very little wear and no discoloration to any
of the major components. The white door panels are in great shape,
showing no signs that someone rested his elbow on the sill, and the
black carpets and dash keep it anchored. A few spots of faux
woodgraining warm it up a bit and as a top-of-the-line luxury
model, there are a lot of options, including cold A/C, power
windows, and an AM/FM/8-track stereo. Big, round gauges cover
speed, temperature, and fuel level, with secondary controls tucked
underneath to give it a surprisingly clean look. The back seat is
spacious enough for real-sized adults and you get a massive trunk
that's still carrying what appears to be the original spare tire
and mat.
By 1978, the horsepower wars were over, but the 360 cubic inch V8
used here is no slouch. It's all about smoothness and torque, and
the 360 delivers. It's totally original with only routine
maintenance items being replaced and serviced over the years.
There's still corporate turquoise engine enamel on the engine
itself, a stock air cleaner with original hose, and even the
factory washer bottle that's cleverly integrated into the battery
hold-down. Electronics were starting to become prevalent on cars,
and all the various systems are working as they should, so it runs
great. The transmission is a 3-speed automatic and there's a set of
highway gears out back, making this smooth coupe a fantastic
highway cruiser. You probably already know how great torsion bar
Chryslers ride, and the new single exhaust system offers little
more than a hushed whisper, which is how luxury was done in 1978.
Factory wire wheel covers and whitewall radials complete the period
look.
Maybe you remember a car like this when you were younger. Maybe
you're looking for an inexpensive but interesting hobby car. Either
way, this is a great example of an overlooked machine. Call
today!
