1963 Plymouth Sport Fury

The 1963 Plymouth model lineup consisted of the entry-level Valiant V-100, Valiant V-200, and Valiant Signet, all powered by six-cylinder engines. the 170.9 cubic-inch six had solid valve lifters, a Carter one-barrel carburetor, four main bearings, and delivered 101 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The wheelbase measured 106 inches and prices ranged from $1,900 to $2,450.

The Fleet Special and Savoy had a 116-inch wheelbase, a platform shared with the Belvedere and Fury, and equipped with either six- or eight-cylinder engines. Both the Fleet Special and Savoy were offered as a two- and four-door sedan, with the Savoy adding a 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. Prices ranged from the low-$2000s to $2,700 for the six-cylinder versions. Eight-cylinder versions added approximately $100 to the base price.

The Belvedere was the intermediate full-size Plymouth, offered as a two- and four-door sedan, hardtop coupe, and station wagon. At the top-of-the-range was the Fury and Sport Fury, with the Fury offered with either six- or eight-cylinder power, and the Sport Fury offered solely with the V-8.

Standard equipment included with the Fury were rear armrests, cigar lighter, front foam seats, an electric clock, back-up lamps, and a padded dashboard. The sedans came standard with a Slant Six with overhead valves, a 225.5 cubic-inch displacement, solid valve lifters, four main bearings, and 145 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The base engine on the hardtop sedan, convertible, and station wagons included the 318 Colombo with 230 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. Eight-cylinder options included the 383 Golden Commando and the 426 Commando becoming available mid-year. This engine was known to enthusiasts as 'Max Wedge Stage II' or 'Super Stock.' The eight-cylinder engines came with either a four-speed transmission or a floor-shifted three-speed manual unit with non-synchromesh on the first gear.

Both the two- and four-door sedans had similar prices at approximately $2,570. The hardtop sedan had a factory base price of $2,740, the convertible at $2,920, the six-passenger wagon at $2,970, and the 9-passenger version at $3070.

The Plymouth Fury had unique side molding with color inserts that narrowed ahead of the front door, window frame moldings, and a rear deck panel strip.

Body styles on the Plymouth Sport Fury included a hardtop coupe priced at $2,580 and a convertible at $3,080. Additional standard equipment included a center console, wheel covers, a deluxe steering wheel, all-vinyl upholstery, rear foam seat cushions, and bucket seats.

The styling of the 1962 Plymouth Fury models was not well received, so they were redesigned with a new front-end design, painted full-length front to rear body side moldings, and an engine-turned insert on the Sport Fury. The front turn signals were mounted high on the fenders, and although easier to damage in that location, they were well accepted. The lamps had unique white lenses while most other manufacturers switched to amber signals to comply with the new federal requirement in 1963. Plymouth used an amber bulb behind a white lens for aesthetics when not illuminated.

Among the Fury line, the four-door sedan was the most popular with 31,891 examples built. 31,832 examples of the two-door hardtop coupe were built, 11,877 were hardtop sedans, and 5,221 were convertibles. The combined station wagon totals were nearly 7,000 units.

The total Sport Fury production line accounted for approximately 15,000 units with 11,483 being hardtop coupes and 3,836 convertibles.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020