Jalopnik
I try to post cars made by defunct manufacturers on a regular basis (e.g., the Studebaker Lark of a few weeks back), but it's been months since we last saw one of Alameda's street-parked Plymouths (and even longer since we've seen an Olds). So here we go: a nice rust-free '72 Fury to start our day!
I found this car parked in the West End, not far from the 1950 Plymouth Deluxe.
I consider 1972 to be the first year of the Malaise Era, what with the Watergate break-in, but this car has the chrome bumpers and powerful engine of the pre-Malaise Era. I drove a cop-spec '73 Fury for a while in high school, and I recall it being a pretty decent car (though the engine had less power and the '72s awesome grille had been replaced by a less imposing unit).
It's hard not to love a huge expanse of chrome with a big rectangular opening for the car's nameplate!
Comments
That takes me back. Growing up, Pop had a two-door Fury II. What a tank; the doors were the size of refrigerators. You could stack a dozen bodies in the trunk like cordwood and still have room for a picnic basket.
This thing just NEEDS a 440 and one of those reverse airsccops a la "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry".
"My top end is UNLIMITED!"
Wow, Murilee, my brother's first car was a '73 police package Fury III, too. I remember completely numb steering, but it went like stink! The A/C compressor cut-out switch for high-speed pursuit was a cool feature, too.
I agree that the '72 had the better grille, but both of them had fat hips.
My guess is it only wore those spectacles to appear more intelligent.
And Fury is probably the best model-name ever. Summons up images of fire, brimstone and violence.
Jet fighters have always had violent-sounding names. Skyray is far more warlike than Sunray.... Eagle is so much more warlike than Pigeon.
When we go to war with British Aerospace Bunnyrabbit fighters we'll be laughed off the face of the planet.
Word. My grandfather had one, a worn-green sedan and I can still remember the pleasently musty smell inside. I loved the super-wide bench seats and the doors that seemed as thick as they were wide.
One of the last things I ever did with my grandfather was take him for a ride in that car. Damn, I wish I had kept Plymouth. Shucks.
@Rust-MyEnemy: I always thought Chrysler had the best names. Charger, Challenger, Duster, Demon, Fury.
Oh hell yes. These things were on the ugly side, but they still had style. After my family's station wagon phase, we had a '73 Dodge Polara (minor differences from this car), but I always liked the Plymouths better, because they were weirder looking and kind of menacing.
@NewCaledonia: As far as I'm concerned, every single A/C-equipped car should have a compressor cut-out switch. It's never made any sense to me to keep it running at all times.
Oh, my, god.
Murilee, look at her butt.
Its so big.
*scoff* She looks like,
one of those rap guys' gang cars.
But, y'know,
who understands those rap guys?
*scoff*
They only drive things like her, Because,
she looks like a total bad ass,
'kay?
I mean, her butt, is just so big.
*scoff*
I can't believe its just so long,
its like, out there,
I mean - gross. Look!
She's just so ... BIG!
[SIR POL-A-LOT]:....
I like big Fury's
And i can not lie
you other brothers can't deny
That when a Fury drives in
It lacks such taste
and its looks are in your face
you get sprung,
want to pull out your tongue
'cause you notice the butt
was stuffed
Deep in the sheet metal she's wearing
I'm hooked and I can't
stop staring
Oh Fury, I want to get in ya
and take your picture
My Jalops tried to warn me
but with that butt you got
makes me wanna beep horny
Ooh, Rump-o'-smooth-bends
you say you want to get in my hands?
Well, use me, use me,
'Cause you ain't got average groupy
I've seen that suspension dancin'
The hell with romancin'
She's sweat, wet,
Don't need to be going like a turbo 'Vette
I'm tired of magazines
Sayin' small butts are the thing
Take the average Jalop man
ask him that.
She gotta pack much back
So, fellas! (yeah) Fellas!(yeah!)
your wagons and camino's got the butt?
(Hell Yeah!)
Tell 'em to shake it!
(shake it!)
Shake it!
(shake it!)
Shake those handy, fill-able butts!
Fury got back!
Fury got back!
I like 'em square, and big
and pack you up when I'm throwing gig
I just can't help myself, I'm actin' like an animal
Now here's my scandal
I wanna get you home
And ugh, double-up, ugh, ugh
I ain't talkin' bout Civics
'Cause silicone parts
are made for toys
I want 'em real thick and juicy
So find that juicy double
This Jalop's in trouble
Beggin' for a piece of that Fury
'cause I ain't in no hurry
Small trunk econos
Can't touch what she holds
You can have them minivans
I'll keep my cars like Flo Jo
A word to the thick DOTS,
I wanna get with ya
I won't let other cars hit ya
But I gotta be straight when I say I wanna
Cruise Till the break of dawn
Baby got it goin' on
A lot of Jalops may not like this song
'Cause them punks like to
hit it and quit it
And I'd rather stay and play
'Cause the Fury's long, and I'm strong
And I'm down to get the friction on
So, ladies! {Yeah!}
Ladies! {Yeah}
If you wanna role in my Fury {Yeah!}
Then turn around! Stick it out!
'cause this white boy's got to shout
Fury got back!
Fury got back!
@POLAR: I can actually hear Sir-Mix-A-Lot rhymin.... thanks a lot for plantin that tune in myhead for the rest of the day....
Always loved these "Fuselage" era Chryslers, and actually bought a 72 Polara (since sold off). The sound of the Chrysler Gear reduction starter (with it's high pitch whinny) is just icing on the cake!
Fury got back. Win.
@FLB: Yes and it should be connected to the off switch for the ac.
@POLAR:
Driving down those city streets,
Waiting to get down,
Won't you get your beige machine,
Somewhere in this town?
Now in the parking lot garage,
You'll find the proper place,
Just follow all the written rules,
You'll fit into the space.
Pull up to my bumper baby,
In your long beige limosine,
Pull up to my bumper baby,
And drive it in between.
Pull up, to it, don't drive, through it,
Back it, up twice, now that, fit's nice.
Operate around the clock,
Why don't you come in?
I've got lot's of space for everyone,
Why don't you my friend?
I'll pick you up so won't you please come on,
Shiny sleek machine believe,
It I've got to blow your horn.
Pull up to my bumper baby,
In your long beige limosine,
Pull up to my bumper baby,
And drive it in between.
Pull up to it, don't drive through it,
Back it, up twice, now that fits nice,
Race it, straighten it, let me lubricate,
Pull up to my bumper baby
I am aware that all I've done is substitute the word Black for the word Beige, the rest was already....well....right.
You still win.
@Rust-MyEnemy: Grace Jones!?!?! Holy Crap-n-crap! Well played, and swiftly dropped too!
@POLAR:
Sir Mix-A-Lot bread the ultimate freak
So cute in a suit, my beats can see
Intelligent freak, wardrobe complete
You can fold my robe, if you be my freak
I got a big Cadillac with the bass in the back
Try to take my freak, boy you must be whack
Bicep's flex, so kiss my neck
Buying pounds of gold with royalty checks
And I'm Swass ...
Don't you wish your Fury was swass like me (swass)
Don't you wish your Fury was swass like me (swass)
Don't you wish your Fury was swass like me (swass)
Don't you wish your Fury was swass like me
Gold gettin live in a fresh fruit vest
I'm the king of the beat in the Great northwest
Packin more dollars than chase Manhattan
A, after eaten sure my billfold fatten, yeah
Yep, my phone be ringin like you wish yours would
But my girl stays cool cause she looks so good
Punk motherfucker... call me weak
Just turn up the bass and feel this beat
Feel my bass drum ...
Now the ground be shakin, when my bass drum's breakin
("Stop it, get silly, swass")
Suckers in the crowd think the boy be fakin
("Stop it, get silly, swass" - backwards)
Now put this beat in your Nissan truck
("Stop it, get silly, swass")
But don't start cryin when your woofers get stuck
("Stop it, get silly, swass" - backwards)
Check it out ...
(*solo of the beat*)
Hit bigger!
I done 23 points when I count my bank
All imitators I will spank
I'm a freak and I know it, so why not show it
I design my rhymes like a worldwide poet
NEW freaks every week in my contract
So cold with the rap you'll get contact
Innovative beats with a brand new twist
Don't you wish your man could rock like this
Break it down ...
Don't you wish your Fury was swass like me (swass)
Don't you wish your Fury was swass like me (swass)
Don't you wish your Fury was swass like me (swass)
Don't you wish your Fury was swass like me
Eighty dollar slippers to wash my car
It attracts more freaks than a beach lifeguard
Ah, imitate me and you'll bring about pain
Better wear dark shades when you look at my chain
Swass, point, no introduction
I come complete with freak instructions
I work for myself don't have no boss
Boy you gotta have brains if you wanna be swass
And I'm swass ...
Oh Mix-A-Lot you know I want to,
Oh Mix-A-Lot you know I like you
@UDMAN: Hell yes, I only relatively recently became aware of the Fuselage Mopars, but they are really the peak of tank-like cars. Some day, I'll catch the local Imperial parked, and get some pictures, it's as evil as a car can get without overt Satanism. This Fury is great, too. Mean name, goofy Plymouth styling, and probably goes like hell for a 70s car.
"The Chrysler Fury-- the car that thinks it's a house!"
@Dr.Danger: Suddenly, I feel normal.
Back in '88 my family flew to San Diego for vacation (we lived in Australia) and instead of renting a car through one of the major rental chains (some of my favorite childhood memories are of the American cars we rented), my dad decided to be cheap and went to Rent-A-Wreck.
The wreck we got was a '72 Plymouth Fury III, just like this, but in baby-poo brown. My mom was seriously embarrassed to be seen it it. She was even more embarrassed when she found out the lock cylinder on the trunk lid was missing and my dad had to stick his finger in the hole to open it.
I remember we drove it to the Wild Animal Park on a warm day and the A/C was not working. To make things even worse, when my dad shut off the engine, it ran on for a few minutes, bucking and kicking the whole time.
So yeah, needless to say I don't have fond memories of this car. Unlike the turbo Lebaron convertible my dad rented in Maui which he used to fly around the mountain roads, much to the chagrin of my mom (but I loved it!).
I used to call these cars "Furious" and it made my kindergarten friends laugh.
Cop spec Fury you say:
The 1971 does look a bit more menacing, though:
The one on the bottom is a 1971 and its grill looks a big more menacing.
While riding my bike when I was 13, I smacked hard into the butt of a '72 Fury. I was cut and bruised, but the car was utterly unharmed. Bet if I hit a Chevy Malibu similarly today, I'd at least crack the plastic on the bumper.
WOW - Polar you could almost become a writer for Weird Al.
How you can design and build a car that big and heavy without the benefit of a frame is beyond me.
@paul_y: Well, it was Chrysler Plymouth, but mine just said Plymouth.
And that line is from MST3k--no? I'm hoping it wasn't the Joe Don Baker flick, but it might have been--the bad guys pull up in a plymouth--a little later than this one--and they also had a riff about "Please wait for vehicle to settle before exiting."
My Fury was a 66 and yes its name was Furious.
@Triborough: Ohh. I want one of those. Very. Badly.
Fuck gas prices. Make mine a Fury.
@NewCaledonia: Mine was police-spec, but it had been an EBMUD (local water/sewage district) car. Those of you from the East Bay will be familiar with the horrible chalky-blue-and-white EBMUD colors. My parents bought it for my sister for $100 at the county auction, but she refused to drive it.
I did like the rubber carpeting and "Everything Delete" dash package, though.
Furytude, you got some fvcking furytude
I cant believe what you said to me
You got some furytude
Inside your feeble brain theres probably a whore
If you dont shut your mouth youre gonna feel the floor
Furytude, the one you got, oh baby
Furytude, the one you got, oh baby
Furytude, furytude
Inside your feeble brain theres probably a whore
If you dont shut your mouth youre gonna feel the floor
Furytude, you got some fvcking attitude
I cant believe what you said to me
You got some furytude
Furytude, you got some fvcking furytude
I cant believe what you said to me
You got some furytude
[www.fuselage.de]
Cars in the US are a lot cheaper (and seem to last a lot longer) then here (Canada). When I think of what I can do to exploit this, these cars often come to mind. I could get a decent '74-'76 Coronet for about 1500$, right?
I miss my old car... sigh...
Talk about memories... as a teenager, my parents bought a '72 Gran Fury 4-dr hardtop like today's ride, that my older sisters pre-wrecked for my brother and I. The Gran flavor had the obligatory vinyl roof, FM radio, hidden headlights (!) and the 400-cube/2 bbl. Lots of torque, lots of go. It didn't just leak oil; it hemmorhaged quarts of oil around town, the subframe was tweaked if not broken, etc., etc. Shoulda' gotten more ambitious as a 16 y/o and fixed it. Great car, the Ivory Beast. Oh, and I was very surprised to see a '71 around town yesterday that some college student was driving. '69 and '70 Furies looked good, too.
@Dr.Danger: Hmm... Misfits... Your Kung Fu is Good...
but not as cheezy as mine...
You'll see a message spelled in burned rubber on the road that says
POLAR's hangin' with the... JALOPS! JALOPS yeah
I'm headin' down the JALOPNIK highway,
lookin' for the HOON getaway
Heading for the HOON getaway,
I got me a FURY, it's as big as a whale
and we're headin' on down
To JALOPNIK
I got me a Plymouth, it seats about 20
So get ready for a laugh 'cause it's always funny
JALOPNIK is a little old place
where we can hoon together
JALOPS baby, JALOPNIK bay-bee.
JALOPS baby, JALOPNIK'S where it's at,
Ooo JALOPS baby, JALOPNIK's where it's at.
If I were a dragon this would be my Cherry 2000
Before the K-car era, Plymouth was the Target of carmakers- they found a way to make cheap stylish.
Now, if you want something in the low price field, you're left with a tinny Korean penalty box. I wounder if things would have worked out differently if they had built a new Fury instead of the Breeze.
The 1968 Fury had a look of menace to it:
God drove one of those. It say so in the bible:
"...and He drove them out in His Fury."
@Triborough: That's quite enough with the Fury police cars! I can't even think straight now. Off to the internets to find me a Fury...
My productivity is shot.
@evoCS: Don't forget Fury race cars!
Man if I could find a convertible...
Way cool photos of Fury police cars.
My brother's '73 Fury III had the police package because it had been a company car (our Dad's employer), and the company just wanted heavy-duty everything on it. It was a dark-blue four-door hardtop, not sedan, with carpet, brocade upholstery, and fake wood on the dash.
The a/c cutoff switch was a plain old toggle switch mounted low on the dash, with a plaque glued next to it advising cutting out the compressor during pursuits over 90 mph, IIRC.
@RoninianHoon: "edit" *If
@RoninianHoon: okay Im blind
Am I correct to assume that the civilian version Fury was a hardtop but the police spec is a sedan ?
You can't have too many photos of Furys!
@Murilee Martin:
@Triborough:
Damnit! Money shall be spent! Spouse will be angered! Friends will be confounded! Between these and my '69-'70 Coronet lust, an old weird Mopar will be in my future. Luckily they're big enough to live in...