Maybe “liberated” might be a better term for this Gran Fury that has had its “halo” vinyl half-top removed. Yes, I’m not the world’s biggest fan of them, as you undoubtedly know. And here’s another reason: they promote rust underneath. musicalmcs8706 shot this in the salt north of Minnesota, so the fact that the top is rustier than the bottoms of this Gran Fury says something.
Here’s the ugly stuff, worst at the bottom of where the vinyl roof used to be. Water does tend to follow the laws of gravity, until it’s stopped in its tracks by those bars or trim pieces at the bottom. Obviously, the piece that filled in the rear-quarter window is not made of a ferrous substance.
Looks like maybe an aftermarket cap that was removed. To my knowledge only the Fifth Avenues of those years has the covered quarter windows. The regular Furys and Dippys had more conventional thin bad full vinyl tops.
My thoughts exactly. A Gran Fury was the cop-and-taxi model; the workhorse. Vinyl tops were there, to appeal to the Early Bird Buffet set; but the covered window insert was a “special” touch, for the ersatz landau roof.
Front row of the wrecking yard is where this cancerous specimen belongs. No doubt there are many usable parts in there, and the supply of them is now slim pickins. Let it give its life, that its betters may live long and prosper.
It also looks like that car has done some hauling. Trailer mirrors, oversized tire, hitch, etc. Pull the Lean Burn stuff off the engine, drop in a 4bbl intake, dual exhaust, 3.55 Sure-Grip rear diff, that car could be a real bruiser.
I also agree with that point. Probably a dealer-installed accessory.
Although it could have been a special-order model from the factory. I have seen Gran Furies before with the Fifth Avenue’s pillow tufted “Corinthian Leather”. I’m certain that wasn’t a listed option for the Plymouth. It’s entirely possible that a customer ordered a Gran Fury with the Fifth Avenue’s landau roof. All M-bodies were built in the same factory.
This particular example also has the Gran Fury Salon model’s velour seating and luxury wheel covers, as well as the trailer package with hitch and additional wide-view mirrors.
I don’t think the hubcaps are stock. Those weren’t available on the M-bodies after 1979.
Wow what a rust bucket that would be stickered off the road here and be awaiting its turn in the crusher, however there is one of these locally its an ex Florida Police car with huge sway bars under it but only a 318 up front though if you want power it comes with a ready to install 440.
We don’t have any annual safety inspections or even emissions testing in Minnesota. It’s common to see scary and dangerous looking automobiles on the road here in the land of 10,000 lakes.
On the other hand, I’ve seen my share of much newer cars with neglected repairs that could easily kill other motorists too. What do you do?
I always kind of wanted one of these, but the practical side of my brain always prevailed. These had all of the poor fuel economy and so-so handling of the Panthers and GM B bodies, but none of the room (for passengers or in the trunk). I am getting to the point in life where I suspect that I will never own one. That’s ok there are other things higher up the list.
That roof is a puzzler – I have never seen a Grand Fury (or a Dippy) with the blanked windows and the landau roof. I’m thinking a dealer who still thought you could sell rwd Plymouths at retail in the 80s. I suspect that he found out he was wrong.
Could have been the rear doors were pirated off a NeYawker…or the uppers were. Shade-tree lo-buck customizing.
I’ve always kind of wanted one too. There’s a refreshing honesty and unpretentiousness in the three-box styling that even Broughamy tack-ons can’t hide.
That said, I’ve also reached the point in life where I’ll won’t own one either. That point being marriage. And lest you think I’m complaining, I’m often eternally, retrospectively grateful for such sanity checks…
I’m also discouraged by the sinking feeling of riding in a Diplomat taxi’s cloth bench, with a horribly misfiring 318, several years back. It was like sitting in some kind of sadomasochistic massage couch.
I like those,my uncle used to drive a diplomat with slant six(3.7/225)&4 speed manual&that is how I have learned to drive standard.
This is what the local police drove when I was a teenager, for which I am quite grateful.
Yea, but “Plymouth Gran Fury” is still an awesome name.
I’m going to say it’s an aftermarket job. The Fifth Avenues had an extension that was welded in so that the back window would appear more upright and “formal” Also, the 5th’s had a more ornate window sill trim on the doors.
It’s funny that for a long time I found these to be kind of homely, but now they are starting to appeal to me. I have no plans on owning one, but I appreciate them for what they were.
This one is at least a 1986 model. If I could have seen the steering wheel I could better pin down a year.
That car is in great shape, considering. There wouldn’t really be much rust if it weren’t for that added faux-top. MN is notorious for salt/rusty cars, so it’s A-OK. These things died out 15 years ago! I recently saw an ad in Minneapolis for an Arizona transplant mint ’87 Grand Fury just like this, for $2900 I believe. Didn’t last long!
Still like ’em. A classic car dealer in Illinois had one of these on his website (actually a Plymouth Gran Fury Brougham, with little Brougham badges and everything) for $2500. White with a tan cloth interior, crank windows and a 318. I watched it and watched it for months until it was gone. Sigh…
‘Fury’ started out the top Plymouth performance model, in the 50’s. Then became common Plymouth full size car line. Gran was the luxo model to match Caprice/LTD. Ended up the fleet queen/elder car.
Imagine if they neutralized Road Runner name for mid size Plymouths, there’d been Gran Road Runner Broughams.
Imagine if they did that to the Charger name..oh wait, lol.
Now, from the owner of the vehicle. You surreptitiously caught me on a service trip 2 hrs from home. This is where the snow tires come in handy. I installed the hitch with air shocks, note filler valve to right of licence plate. Originally from Florida, the underside is rust free, and a dream to wrench on compared to others from the northland. I am in the process of installing fuel injection with a four bbl Al. manifold to take advantage of the 9.1 compression ratio, as well as easier starting and better mileage. Finally, a medium blue paint job to keep it under the radar. Seems its “profile” now fits that of someone in need of further consultation. I’ve been pulled over, but not ticketed, for pulling out too quickly into traffic (no squeeling tires), transporting a canoe tied to the roof and, I’m not kidding, eating a cheese burger. “Especially, when you pull up next to me at that stop light and take a big bite out of that cheese burger, I think you’re taunting me.” Sigh.
The vinyl top was definitely an aftermarket abomination, since it also had cursive “L” tags mounted on either rear pillar. This matching the last name of the second owner. I just need to find a way to install dual exhaust, not a lot of room underneath. It is indeed an ’86 Salon, and I don’t know who they designed these for, but I had to mount the driver’s seat 2″ rearward. Otherwise, an exceptionally comfortable ride. The kids love it, call it “puffy car”. I’ve put 90,000 miles on it and rebuilt the tranny. Not bad for $200.
Thanks for the great, detailed response. I’m glad the owner of this car is a car guy himself, vs. someone who just let their car go. The fact you are talking about FI conversion and 9.1:1 compression ratio means you get it…