Mr. Goodpliers walks around the 1968 Plymouth Fury I police car! We'll open it up and have a look, then decode the fender tag and look at a 4 door parts car. Come along and check out this rare Mopar!
I've seen pictures of 67 Dodge Coronet wagon police vehicles in St. Paul Minnesota...another rare police vehicle like the one you've scored. Congrats on your find.
Good buy ! Back in the day in Coaldale, Pennsylvania the police department drove a 1965 Ford Galaxie Coupe police car. Thanks for the memory. Grandfather John Pennsylvania USMC Beirut Veteran
Nice car! I still have my unbuilt Jo-Han 1968 Fury police pursuit car model kit somewhere. In my teenage years i've been collecting USA car model kits, they were not really common here in Holland. The Plymouth Fury police car kit was somewhat special to me, and i wanted to build it to perfection. That's probably why it is still unbuild 🙂
That's cool you still have an unbuilt Jo-Han Plymouth police car. I have an original I built in 1969. It's a little rough now. I also have a mint original unbuilt Fury police pursuit, a couple of Jo-Han reissues, an original mint unbuilt '68 Jo-Han Fury lll hardtop, and a restorable Fury lll hardtop kit. I also have a factory sealed '67 Fury lll hardtop kit, and a rebuildable '67 Fury convertible. These old Mopar kit's are gold now.
I was a draftsman in the Port Huron, Michigan planning department from 1968-1972. We had access to a fleet of the cars as former police cruisers. Man, were they ever fast (and super ugly in a medium blue). As I recall they all had tan interiors and rubber floor Matt’s. Our city had at least 25-30 of them.
Nice! My daily is a 77 Gran Fury, it was a detective car from a small town in Colorado. Its 318, carpet, regular speedo, power door lock, AC, base bench seat, CB radio, full gauges, 2 door and ....3 fender tags! The cops got what they wanted and we got to pay for it!
In the early 1990’s I picked up a 1968 Fury II 2 door hardtop with aftermarket air. 318, column shift automatic. Was a good old car. Just drove it as a pleasure car. Of course anything the the 440 would be worth DOUBLE! As for will it run? I agree with you if you hope to use it later, soak it and tear it all apart and rebuild it. Thanks for the video!
I had a 68 Fury 4 door hardtop a few years ago. Red with white vinyl top and blue interior. All original and in very good condition. 383/auto. Great car.
I'm thinking this is a chief's car or some other police official because of it being a two door. If it had a communications radio you should find screw holes under the dash or possibly mounted in the trunk. Motorola police radios were trunk mounted especially the early tube rigs because of their size. I think the markings on the roof may have been the squad car number. AL B.
I have a 1968 Fury I 2 door post police car also, old Nebraska State Trooper car which was bought by the Butler County Sheriff from the state auction. 383 high perf as well. It was being parted out and I had to save it.
Awesome Fury. My dad purchased a new '68 Fury ll sedan back in 1968. I learned how to drive and took my driver's license test in that Plymouth in 1975. I loved it. Wish I had that Plymouth now. I have been a lifelong Mopar fan because of that car.
Definitely worth saving! I am surprised by the pedal dress up on a Fury I - automatic add with the power disc brakes? Also, neither the I or the III parts car have the “reclining” hood ornament that would have the engine displacement facing the windshield - they drop those late in the model year, I wonder? Really enjoy your channel!
Well, his hood on the two door was swapped on. I think the hood looks good. The small dents could be easily pushed out from the bottom if they are not above the frame and pulled out with a spot welded stud if they are.
Had Alaska been a sister state, I being seventy three would of enjoyed working for "Food and Lodging" just to have my hands on tools again. I am not only capable but would of been excited to show/teach you the different ways of repair or refurbish one of these rigs.. My dad loved his chryslers and so when he got his fury designated for navy purpose was just beyond words. We got it into our small shop, its size is kind of confusing as it was a two hundred by four hundred foot size building with how to say it is the hardest... walls inside made it into seperate places for doing exact types of work. The welding side was of interest in this one but only a twenty by thirty area to work in so had to knock out a wall for enough room for doing what he asked me to do. Build a new frame as the unibody had failed big time and he made the brag, "My kid can fix anything" so I was elected to do just that. I completely repaired all the floor panels first and because the unirail system was also non existent ... I built out of channel stock a frame comparable to many other rigs that did use a frame. Yes I did make it where those rails ran from front to back and had wheel/axle arches plus its own version of front suspension that did not, yes did not use the torsion bars. I copied a ford suspension from a close to it year of a galaxy majorly modified. After it was done, he took it in for a alignment where he was met at the door and told they did not do alignments on custom work. He asked them to put it on the lift and look at the work I had done.... and after some head scratching, a older man said..: I can work with this! An hour later the rig rolled out of their shop with a alignment that was by their words... why didn't they make them all like this. I got to say I was very proud of that complement. Yes the torsion version is a better ride but my system was a lot more rugged and lasted many years driving it over logging roads. I nearly lost it when he blew up the 383 so came home with a clunker that had 440 in it. His words were ; Son, put it in as I am going to need it next week... and that was on a wednesday. It was a running and driving rig again on tuesday afternoon. Nothing just bolts in and the front suspension had to be modified to make it fit.... now you see the problems I had. Tim, I do agree with you about getting one running again. I do agree its nice if they still rotate, but there is where it stops. If it were possible to make a tired engine run like new again, then I would have it done to me as I am very tired now
As a C body fan, that 4 door sedan looks pretty sleek. I hope you will show us the rotted floors, trunk, frame etc to I don't grieve too much for it's loss. It has the same roof line as a 68 300 4 door hardtop, which is a car I seldom see and truly miss.
As for the discrepancies on the fender tag, it was actually pretty common. The broadcast sheet would have all the correct information. The second Special Order fender tag is nice. I have heard that the little square tag on the top left of the fender tag meant some kind of special order as well (possibly changes after the fender tag was made).
If you ever get a chance, drive a 360-powered A-body cop car. Similar, but with the caveat of "Make sure it's an iso-delete car," is the F-body 5.9 liter Aspen/Volare. Slightly heavier and less HP, but it'll give you a good idea. Just got given a very clean, complete '89 Gran Fury AHB car the other week
at a show a few months back in EAST SUSSEX ENGLAND a man had A FURY 2 DOOR PAINTED UP A REAL LAND YAUGHT he did a lot of work on her when he started her up she just purrrred till he hit the loud peddle wow lovely sound very deep
Colorado Highway patrol used 2foor units in the rural/farm counties up to mid 70's. When assigned to rocky mountain national park, bus give had crown Vic with 460s police pkg and statues had 383 mopars. Was always a race when county dispatcher called out "John Wayne_ bar fight in one of bars on one of four towns in county.. alllaw dept responded. Usually 8 cars at night counting town/county/state/ Usgov. Even game warden would occasionally. Joined in if he was out.
I enjoy your conversation with us about these cars and the history that goes with them. Thanks again for your time, work , and documentary videos on these cars! Great evening to you!
My Dad started his Career in Law Enforcement in 1964, I remember him driving a car like this even after he retired in 1992 he still said Mopar made the best Police Cars. 1968 I would have been 8 years old when this one came out.
Way Cool I thought you were gonna get the four-door police car as well ! I like the old police cars are used to have a 1968 428 police interceptor that came from Hutchinson Kansas I bought it in Leander Texas on the cheap in the 1980s for $450 unfortunately I had to sell it another one of my regrets in life ! Hope your show some pics of the car once you get it more together and running !
There is someone in Minnesota who has one of these two door police cars . It was a Nevada State highway patrol car I believe . How it was explained to me the two door versions were purchased for commanders and captains pretty much the higher ups manly believe it or not they were cheaper to buy . The higher ups didn't patrol like the main officer's did so they didn't need the calibrated speedo and such so the country city or state could save money by purchasing the two door .
Great video Tim, thanks for the lesson. It's like you are very book smart on cars & trucks. I know you went to College. Me no College, just school of hard knocks...High school grad. in 1977. Yea I'm old school....but a pretty good mechanic...but not a good speller sometimes I need a Dictionary...Oh well. Take care my RU-vid friend.....
Thanks for stopping by the channel Marvin! It takes all kinds to make a world... my wife is street smart but didn't finish high school. We make the ideal pair
Neat car. You have to be careful when looking at date codes on Mopar starters and alternators. The halves need to have matching date codes in the date wheel. I can tell by looking that neither of those units are what came with the car. The alternator is a 3438178, which is a 70-71 isolated field 50 amp unit. That was the interim unit between the single-field units and the later square back alternators. Definitely hang on to it if all the dates match. that's probably 40-70, for a 1971 vehicle. The starter looks like a typical reman where the gear case and armature housing have been swapped. The tip off is that the field coil screws on 69 and older 2095150 starters are flat slotted, not flat phillips. Flat phillips is MY 70-72. Check the other starter back there, it might be the OG.
@mr.goodpliers6988 I've had some luck using DOT 3 brake fluid to remove an unwanted extra layer of paint. I wiped it on, waited a very few minutes, then scrubbed it off with water. I did small areas at a time with less time for thinner paint. It worked better than sanding.
The two door was usually chief,investigators, etc. most were 4door for typical cop duty. I would buy them at cop auctions and sell them for taxi service.
I would love to fix the 4 door! I wouldn't car if it was rear or not. I would have a great driver that would be garage kept. No rain or winter time driving.
I got my license in 73 my mom bought a 67 vip it had a lot of get-up an go I looked under the hood it had a 383 mag an I will tell you it also had positive traction
Mr. B. Here ! Mr. G ; great fine at auction, I would bring it as is , sir ! Show the vehicle historic of it ! As kid I did not think I would be asking to save a police car ; LOL ! I know you will do right by your fine ! Best of luck ! 🪛🧰🪛🧰🪛🧰🧰
Great MOPAR find .I had 2 68 Dodge Phoenix here in 🇦🇺both pillarers 383 2 barrel same front as yours 👍🏻one white one blue both vinyl top cars .i reckon we had a much nicer dash in 🇦🇺.
Part of what makes these so rare today is that they were all fleet cars, these weren't cars dad's were buying for the family...keeping them in the garage, washing ever week, etc. They were just used up.
I was hoping that you where going to buy this car glad you did for me It would be a great sleeper car good luck getting it going ,would that rear end be like a limited slip like on chevy thank you sir
If it weren't a police car doubt I would mess with it but since it is definitely doable plus a parts car makes it all the better. Don't know if new quarters are available for this car if so would save you a lot of work.
This is definitely rare!! You did good buying this I would love to talk about this car in person. Broadcast sheet can be on top of the glovebox in the headliner under the rug have you cleared out the whole car let?
Low numbers but the only difference is the police package. More of them out there than you think. Rear with police package, but a rear car, no. I agree with you on the numbers of police cars but without the police package on it not the same category but rear if you can get the original police equipment for it.
Mr.Goodpliers, you should buy an original 68 Parts book (blue plastic hard cover). I don't have one, but have a 1967. It is really interesting just to read the parts that are only police package or only "Los Angles PD Police Package". For example, LAPD decided a police car should have a rear sway bar, which would not appear on any Mopar until the 70 'Cuda 340. But they put one on Belvederes and Coronets to meet bid requirements for LAPD sales. Steering wheel colors is another example.
Your Fury 4 door is what we had in 🇦🇺as a pillares . Dodge Phoenix.383 2 barrel . Both mine did not have air thank goodness just more rubbish under the bonnet . 🇦🇺
I think those are cool cars personally I feel that's just a standard Fury 1. Might have been a government-owned car but not a police car. I remember I was 8 years old my dad have a 68 Plymouth VIP 4 door and it had a 383 4 Barrel that car used to sound so good when he say hold on son I'm going to blow out the carbon
The GSA bought stripper Plymouths. Though I think they were 4 doors, but I may be wrong. They had power steering, brakes, and air conditioning, but no visual luxuries.
That car should have the larger Leece Nillville alternator as it was standard on mopar squads. That smaller alternator is not correct. You might want to double check that larger one in the trunk, they mimic the large 70's alternator at a quick glance. That 383 in the cop car should be kept in the car if its the original one. That should be the HP 383 with all the goodies.
I love C bodies. I have 2 68 300's. Two things you omitted from your fender decoding were the TRM code and the PNT code. Tan cloth an vinyl bench for Fury 1 code E1T and Beige paint XX1. As others have said, I expect a police car to have "PK" rather than "PL" at the start of the Vin. I'd say it was an institution purchased car, but not a police car. In favor of a police car: 383 engine, beige interior, police wheels in trunk Refuting police car: Carpet instead of black rubber floor, no sign of any equipment such as radio or lights or certificated speedometer. Why are the wheels in the trunk? I guess, getting under the car and measuring the diameter of the torsion bars , sway bar, and leaf springs will be the tell. Do you have any indication of that reinforced front seat back them mention in the brochure you showed us? It is possible the frame has some bracing for Police/Taxi that another sedan wouldn't but I don't know for sure.
Steve Magnante was eager to prove his sedan was a police car. I told him that, until the Blue Brothers, NOBODY wanted to own a former police car. That was the reason it was so funny when Dan Akroyd tried to convince John Belushi that buying one was a great idea. If your family owned a former police car, you certainly would not want anyone to know. It would be the equivalent of saying you get great restaurant food dumpster diving. Guys that owned ex police cars did everything they could to disguise the fact. One my father bought , due to a transportation emergency, an ex highway patrol Ford Crown Vic. It was brown, not black and white. But the dog dish hub caps and fat radials on steel wheels gave it away. I wished he would have bought some aluminum wheels to soften the effect. But, I think nobody under the age of 70 remembers that. Your car is cool as a two door, regardless of what it was before. Perhaps even more cool than a two door hardtop and they were pretty sharp in 67 and 68.
Worth investigating for sure - I didn't account that "Special Order" fender tags could denote taxi or fleet cars. A two door police package is plausible (detective, administrative, etc), but a two door taxi is not very plausible. I wish I had bought the four door also, because it would make for an easy comparison of both side by side. I appreciate your logical, analytical approach to deciphering what we're looking at
@@mr.goodpliers6988 Well, no one ordered a four door as a taxi by the 1960's for sure, so that's out. Can you mic the torsion bars and sway bar and count the rear leafs?
I don't get real hung up on numbers, but I have a lot of respect for the guys who do. A person has to apply themselves a lot more to restore a vehicle to assembly line appearance, versus just putting whatever comes from a catalog or parts store on the car. I've developed an awareness for correct Ford, GM, and Mopar date systems after selling on eBay. I wouldn't have gone out of my way to source these, but was happy to run across them since they will add to the authenticity and value of the car.
@@ernielaw But they both look fine,single and double. I wish you could see this article in a reprint of Hot Rod. I had it in a book of reprint articles. It had the first real street eliminator, but was called something else. The "Silver Bullet" 67 GTX owned by Jimmy Adison won ( the race was in Detroit) but there were other Mopars such as a 66 Satellite with a small blower sticking out of the hood and a "Bizarre 62 Plymouth" with a Hemi that were in the top finishers.
I might be wrong but ..Fender tags second line up from the bottom looks like 48 E11. XX1 X. . You entered 48 then X11 instead of E11.. the decoder I'm using goes on to say ABC OPTIONS: A1: 26" Radiator , X1 tinted glass [ all ]..
Out of all the cars at that auction… this is the one that I would have kept my eye on. Not sure if any police 2 door came with a 4 speed but in my opinion…. That’s the only thing missing I would change. Would take this car and make a nice little sleeper out of it… still keep the dish style hubcaps but a wider rim on the back. I’m not one who is an enthusiast about old police cars but a nice two tone and wake up that 383… with a 4 speed…. You’ll have a sweet ride and a head turner for sure.
Never really a fan of the 2drs. The coupes are nice. No problems with them but the pillared example as said didn't really do it for me. Unsurprising when the pillared 2drs ceased production in the early 1970s. Still if someone wants to save this good luck to them.