For decades, a Chrysler-built cop car was something to fear. Talk about Mopar’s sins all you want, but the moment “440 powered cruiser” comes out of somebody’s mouth, everybody goes silent. Nobody had an answer for how a barge the size of a Plymouth Fury could move so damned fast. Ford, Mercury, AMC, Chevrolet…time and time again it seemed that the Chrysler cop cars were the ones to have. There’s a reason why the Bluesmobile was a 1974 Monaco. There’s a reason why Roscoe and Enos drove all manner of Mopar squads. And there isn’t a real good reason why about half of these cars wound up being utterly destroyed in the name of Hollywood background clutter. If you find any 440-powered Mopar with A38 somewhere in the code plate and a certified speedometer, you save it, you restore it, and you hold onto it. The realities of the production cars and the legends of the modified examples that were rumored to be prowling around in certain locations have given the survivors some solid credentials.
You could restore one…or you could just buy one that’s about done. This 1974 Fury is a former Montana Highway Patrol machine, a place where that mythical unlimited top end could come in very handy. At first glance, it looks like a cleaned-up cruiser, wearing decent paint and those wide six-slot wheels that every Mopar fan loves to get their hands on. But take note immediately of Officer Friendly’s seats…and the tachometer sitting dead-nuts middle of the dash, aimed at the driver. Smokey has something for your ass. 493 cubic inches of big-block anger that has been poked and stroked to ensure that you are not getting away that easy sits under four acres’ worth of hood, straining at idle like a wolf on a chain that smells a kill to be made. With a 727, 4.10 gears out back and slicks on the rears, the Fury seems to be suited for some stoplight hunting instead of the open road. Maybe a set of 3.55s and a GearVendors unit will be better suited for the four-door Fury that did a better job of striking fear into the hearts of people than the Hollywood red-and-white version.It’s just a big brick…one that can move with alarming speed if provoked.
If you’ve ever driven, or do get to drive one you/you’ll know why it was called Fury.
My very 1st car was a 1968 Fury lll that would surprise most of the the other seniors in high school with their Camaros and Mustangs!
When I was a kid, we had a \’77 Gran Fury ex-Cop car…it only had a 400 in it, but it did have a 727, those 6 slot wheels with the little dog dish hubcaps, and a set of rear gears that the Space Shuttle would be envious of…it wasn\’t much off the line, but when she got to about 40-45, she was ready to rock and roll…and would do every bit of the 140 on the speedo and then some if you had the balls to hold it…sure do miss that thing.
My buddy had the same car, Dark green. It was a county car. We messed with the AFB carb., and got it to come off the line better. But you’re right, it would fly after 40 or so. He lived in the country. We got up to 130, and ran out of road. Plenty of pedal left. 🙂
still got 67 impala 283 gears powerglide & 400 sb I can tell you nice combo
No comparison!
My 1973 Fury III just had a 360 two barrel but with some decent tires that baby was one of the best handing cars I\’ve ever drove, the 360 wasn\’t too bad on gas mileage also, I bought it for $400 and sold it 6 years later for $450.
Those big blocks are the stuff legends are made of! I had a 78 1/2 ton SB 4X4 with a 440 auto. It was a monster out on the highway and in the mud. I remember chasing the rustangs down the highway and blowing by them at 120 mph with pedal to spare.
I have a 1969 Plymouth Newport with a 440 and a 727 trans, plus positive track with 411 and I just can\’t keep a set of Tires!!!!! Balls to the wall!!!!
Well well well I bought a police Interceptor that was in a 70 super bee and that would Lay rubber at 70 mph .my eyes were wide open like silver dollars coins now my cuda does that so easy stroker 505 I have to let up because at 70 mph the rear ended wants to side ways. So I have to let up on z Throttle. Ronnie Sandoval from Windsor colo now live in sin city