Photo: Old Skool Rides/YouTube
Unlike most long-running nameplates of the era, the Fury moved from the full-size to the midsize segment several times. The nameplate is most famous for the full-size models of the late 1950s (due to the movie “Christine”) and the Wedge-engined variants of 1962-1964 that helped kick off the muscle car era.
When Plymouth redesigned the Belvedere for the 1965 model year, the Fury was reinstated as a full-size. And while the Belvedere went on to spawn iconic nameplates like the Satellite, Road Runner, and GTX, the Fury remained a basic full-size vehicle with no notable accomplishments on the performance front.
That's not to say the mid-to-late '60s Fury isn't a fantastic Mopar, but the lack of an optional 426 cubic inch (7.0-liter) HEMI and 440 cubic inch (7.2-liter) Six-Barrel engine makes it significantly less desirable than mid-size Plymouths of the era. And as a result, many Furys are still rotting in junkyards and barns as I write this.
YouTube’s “Old Skool Rides” recently rescued a pair of fourth-generation Sport Fury cars that had been sitting idle for decades. Our host was actually looking for parts when he stumbled upon a pair of solid examples from the 1965 and 1967 model years. Seeing that both vehicles looked too good to tear apart, he decided to buy them. And he got the surprise of his life after dragging the 1965 version out of the bushes and onto the trailer.
A simple white convertible at first glance, the Sport Fury proved to be a rare Indianapolis 500 Pace Car when the owner showed up with the paperwork. In addition to the title, the buyer also received a card that reads “Official Pace Car Indianapolis 500 1965.” Originally stored in the glove compartment, the card was removed from the car for safekeeping and appears pristine.
The seller also confirmed that she and her husband drove the Mopar to the 1965 Indy 500 race. Why is the convertible missing its door and upper rear fender decals? Well, the Sport Fury was repainted before the owners parked it in the yard. The old white paint is visible in a few spots.
It's unknown how long the Plymouth was parked, but it sat long enough for the Arizona sun to ruin the top. On the other hand, everything else appears to be in decent shape. While the paint is chipped, the body is straight and all the chrome trim is still with the car. The tan interior is obviously damaged, but the floors appear to be in one piece and the upholstery isn't too shabby. This vehicle could be brought back to life and driven like a survivor with a little work.
Our host didn't open the hood, but the hood should house a 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) big-block V8 (as suggested by the fender badges and hood ornament). These service cars were based on the Sport Fury, which came with a 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) V8 as standard. The 383 was optional. The package also included bucket seats, power steering, a center console, a tachometer, and a floor-mounted automatic transmission.
So, how rare is the 1965 Sport Fury Indy 500 Pace Car? Plymouth produced 35 official pace cars and 1,900 replicas that were sold to the public. The official cars were powered by 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Wedge engines, so this example is definitely a replica.
Now, 1,900 is a lot compared to the truly rare vehicles of the golden era, but it’s a small fraction of the model’s production in 1965. Specifically, Plymouth sold 44,620 Sport Fury cars that year, including 6,272 convertibles. And since convertibles have a very low survival rate, we’re looking at one of only a few hundred cars still intact.
The really good news is that the new owner intends to get this Pace Car back on the road. I may not get an expensive, rotisserie restoration, but it will be a fine survivor once the kinks are ironed out and the body regains its red and blue Pace Car decals.
By the way, the Sport Fury is the only Plymouth vehicle to ever race in the iconic Indianapolis 500, which is surprising given that the brand has produced iconic trucks like the Road Runner, GTX, and Barracuda. But that’s what makes this Mopar even more historically significant.