https://www.hemmings.com/auction/1973-plymouth-fury-1
VEHICLE LOCATION
Pittsford, New York
VIN
PK41P3D265020
MILEAGE
102,913
ENGINE
400-cu.in. OHV V-8
TRANSMISSION
TorqueFlite 727 Three-speed automatic
EXTERIOR COLOR
Gray epoxy primer
INTERIOR
Gray vinyl
SELLER
Private
AUCTION TYPE
Reserve
This 1973 Plymouth Fury I was pressed into duty as a Sonoma County California Sheriff's car. The second character in the VIN denotes this as a vehicle that was always intended for police duty. According to the seller, it only spent two years as a police car when it was auctioned and moved to Arizona. From there, the car moved to Tennessee in 2005, and the seller purchased it in 2009. This former cruiser features a 400-cubic-inch V-8 and has been stripped and primed in two coats of PPG epoxy primer, ready to be scuffed and painted by the next owner, whether they choose a black-and-white combination or something less of a law enforcement scheme.
POWERTRAIN
While the “K” in the second VIN position indicates this is an original police package, the fifth VIN position is reserved for the engine. In this case, the “P” indicates that it was originally equipped with this engine, a 400-cu.in., single four-barrel “High Performance” V-8. The seller indicates that, to his knowledge, the engine has never been rebuilt. He replaced the Carter Thermo-Quad carburetor was with an Edelbrock Performer four-barrel carburetor. The seller reports that the car starts with three pumps of the accelerator to set the choke and settles into a calm idle. The engine bay hasn’t been detailed, but unique components like the dual-snorkel air cleaner are present and still finished in its original orange with the original decal.
Behind the 400 V-8 is Chrysler’s beast of a three-speed automatic, a 727 TorqueFlite. The transmission shifts through the gears properly, though the seller indicates it could use some “freshening.” Plymouth offered these police cars with a range of different ratios packed inside the 9-3/4-inch differential, but the seller doesn’t provide any details.
CHASSIS
This car spent most of its life in the western part of the country, and as a result, the underside appears to be in decent shape. There’s surface rust on the floors and components, but nothing remotely approaching rot, according to the seller, who adds that the steering box was recently rebuilt and the front end was aligned to eliminate any wandering. The power steering pump was also replaced and there are no leaks reported with the system. The suspension was lubricated within the last four months, according to the seller, who also comments that the shocks and bushings all appear to be in good condition. In his estimation, the brakes – front discs and rear drums with a vacuum booster – stop the vehicle well with no issues. The seller estimates that the tires are at 50 percent tread life. The blackwall radials are mounted on steel wheels with Plymouth dog dish hub caps.
EXTERIOR
Prior to the seller’s ownership, there was corrosion on the passenger compartment floors due to a windshield leak, and new floor pans were welded over the old. They were then sealed from inside. The inner and outer rocker panels appear to be solid. The seller states that all of the chrome was removed and the body was media blasted before being sprayed with two coats of PPG DP 40LF epoxy primer/sealer. This extends to the door frames, jambs, inner hood and trunk. The door hinges were left unlubricated to avoid any paint issues when the car is finally painted. The glass was intact and the windshield and rear window were removed. The windshield and backlight frames were restored and resealed. The seller notes that the door gaskets are functional, but worn, and that a new trunk gasket comes along with the sale.
INTERIOR
Inside, the original seat upholstery is still in place, but it’s hidden beneath custom sewn seat covers in gray vinyl. The seat covers appear to fit tight and are undamaged. The original seat material is a combination of cloth and vinyl that was damaged by the sun, according to the seller. The dash pad is original to the car and was professionally restored and has no cracks evident. The seller notes that the speedometer requires a new cable to operate properly. The original rubber floor mat has been cleaned and is in very good condition. The door panels are original and undamaged, although the upholstery is wrinkled in spots. There’s some staining on the front driver’s side panel, but all of the armrests appear to be in good condition. It has a new headliner that was professionally installed, as well as a new rear package tray and trunk mat.
DOCUMENTATION
This vehicle will be sold with a clean New York title. The seller will also include the factory service manuals, a new trunk gasket and a spotlight that is not mounted.
If a police car from the 1970s is on your wishlist, a gigantic 1973 Plymouth Fury I could be just the thing you’re looking for. Purchase this car and take it to the next level with whatever livery suits your fancy.
Q: Man... I truly do miss my old C-Body. Had a '70 383 equipped Chrysler Newport that I never should have sold. The 400 is a great mill though, and is the perfect candidate for a stroker kit. I'll be watching this one.
A: The engine runs good and starts well! Never had a problem especially with the Edelbrock carb. It would be even better with a stroker kit installed!
Q: Was the floor damage cut out first of was the new pan just latex over the rotted section ? It’s hard to tell in the pic of what I believe to be the floor repair
A: The floor pans were apparently reproduction ones for a 1973 Fury and were welded over the old pans without cutting the old ones away. They were then sealed inside with seam sealer. The galvanized piece of sheet metal in the undercarriage pic is covering the bottom of the old pan that had more damage apparently when the floors were done. The damage to the floors was limited to the pans. It did not extend to the rockers, transmission hump or firewall as far as I can tell. Floors are structurally sound. I should make clear that the replacement floor pans were installed from the inside of the car over the old floors.