What to know about C Body cars before buying

[Jonathan Perlo]

Hey folks,
So I'm usually over on FABO as I currently own a 73 dart custom, but I'm looking into to getting a 66 Fury III. Here's the question. I've noticed when parts shopping for my current car that most things are A, B, and E body, and in hindsite I cant recall seeing much for C bodies. For example I'm having trouble hunting down a stick car, and in looking for a conversion kit I'm seeing that they are all ABE. Is it going to be a pain?

What else should I know about these beloved land boats.

Thanks for any help. And I hope to post more when I get that fury.

 

[bulldogchesty]

C bodies are the red headed stepchild of the Mopar world. Companies don't make a lot of parts for our cars because they think there is no market. I am hoping one of the major restoration companies will start making parts for our big beasts.

 

[Snotty]

Parts can be very hard to find for Cs. Forums like these and others are helpful.

My advice, if you want a car with a stick, wait to find one and buy it; don't let the price scare you. Even if it high, it's still less than a parts-car E Body. Trying to make a C into a stick will cost you big time.

What else to note? Prior to the introduction of the Newport Royal, which was in '70 or '71, all Chrysler C Bodies were big block cars. ALL. Not so with Plymouth and Dodge. The Royal came with a 360, the first small block in a Chrysler. They are rather rare, but you can find a Fury with a slant 6, even with a three-on-the tree. The one in the pictures below was for sale two years ago. It was a basket case but it was all there.

 

[commando1]

Is it going to be a pain?

Absolutely!!!
If you don't know C-bodies extremely well, I advise that your conversion will kick the crap out of you.

 

[Snotty]

Absolutely!!!
If you don't know C-bodies extremely well, I advise that your conversion will kick the crap out of you.

That is from a man who KNOWS!!

 

[commando1]

That is from a man who KNOWS!!

Stick to a B-body. Eveything comes from a colorful and pretty catalog.
Converting a C is not brain surgery by any means but you are not going to turnkey it by relying on others.

 

[Samplingman]

The Golden Rule of C bodies: Buy them in pairs and you will always have enough parts...

 

[LocuMob]

The Golden Rule of C bodies: Buy them in pairs and you will always have enough parts...

View attachment 185408

You hope. Buy as complete and running/driving a car as you can! It will save you time and money.

 

[rapidtrans]

Like this!
Running, rust free and every bit of trim and glass inside/outside intact.
It's worth paying for a complete solid car.

A project car would still be hogging space in my garage.

 

[LocuMob]

Q:\18-004-BBGA - Bluebird Paint Shop\Purchased Equipment\Fans - Barry Blower\HEATER FAN MARK-UPS 2018-0515.pdf

Like this!
Running, rust free and every bit of trim and glass inside/outside intact.
It's worth paying for a complete solid car.
View attachment 185418
A project car would still be hogging space in my garage.

You mean like this?

It makes a great table. This isn't what you want when getting into the car hobby.

 

[Jonathan Perlo]

Well this is the one that's up righ now and man do I want it.

1966 Plymouth Fury III

 

[rapidtrans]

You mean like this?

View attachment 185419

It makes a great table. This isn't what you want when getting into the car hobby.

That’s what my boat would look like after a winter’s storage.

 

[Jonathan Perlo]

Well heck the other question then is on that fury I posted. Is 7500 fair? Is it high? Low?

Honestly I was looking at early 60s galaxies, but I really wanted to stay mopar and I stumbled on to that listing. Love at first sight.

 

[rapidtrans]

Buy the car you really want. If the price is in your range go for it. No regerts!
It’s nobody’s business what you paid but yours.
That car looks solid.

 

[68 4spd Fury]

As you heard, C body stick cars are somewhat rare. 65-66 had more stick cars, dropped off 67 and on, not sure when they stopped completely, maybe 72-73. In general, 225 & 318 w/3 speed are the most common but usually in a 4 door sedan. What are you looking for?

 

[bajajoaquin]

Others have answered the 4-speed question, so I'll comment on the car and the competition. The car looks nice, but I'd look at it closely: the dual exhaust was put on by a non-mopar guy, the 6x9 speakers, look under the dash cover, and the shininess of the paint contrasts oddly with the dirty engine compartment. The right rocker might have some issues, too. Check for rust in the quarters and trunk, as there are no reproduction parts made. If it all checks out, it's all good. But be suspicious.

A C-Body should be cheaper than a comparable Galaxie. Or, for the same money, you should get a nicer car. If that's not nicer than you'd expect out of a '63 Galaxie for the same money, it's over-priced. For that money, I'd want the AC to work. I wouldn't expect it to be perfect, but I'd expect it to be pretty well sorted: HVAC works, all blinkers, lights, windows, etc. Drives nice, stops well, starts from cold and shifts smoothly. For that money, it should be a good driver, not a restored show piece or a survivor. If it is, it's money well spent. If it's not, well... be prepared to spend time and money.

 

[Pete Kaczmarski]

You can find some four door Newport stick shift cars in my '61-'62 era but mine is a 300. A year or so ago there was a '65 Dodge Polara wagon with 3 speed stick. I think it was an ex-EMS car here in Wisconsin. Really not bad shape etc for $5500 if memory is correct.

 

[Pete Kaczmarski]

I actually found it but unknown if still available.......

 

[JJ300]

As others have said, parts can be a pain, but, your car will be more "rare", if that's what you're looking for. And it will be one of the best riding cars you'll ever drive.

 

[Jonathan Perlo]

I know the more specific I get the harder they are to find, (and now I know) especially if it's a c body, but after looking the last few days. . . . Yeah. . . 66 Fury with the III trim, 4 door, 383 or 440 4 speed. I mean, hey, at least I'm flexible with the engine size.

One thing I have found with the few vintage cars I've owned is that as long as i buy a car where the engine (from the head gasket down) and the body are good, I'm fine with everything else. Hell, half the reason I keep buying these thing is because I enjoy the fixing part. The other half is that I live in california and as long as its pre 75 I can run open headers if I want and never have to worry about smog laws.