61 FURY convertable basket case

[SGT FURY]

I have more mopar projects than I will ever get to in my lifetime. So what will it hurt to add one more!
I picked up this basket case 61 FURY conv awhile back.
Was going to part it and cut up the rest.
Got out the toolboxes, swazalls and torches. Then just could not do it.
Has significant rocker rust on drivers side and is missing conv top and some hard to find conv trim. Still it's a red/red int FL vert.
I'm going to experiment by welding in some rockers/floor boards from a 61 Newport and if that goes well I will slap this thing together using secondary 61 parts I already have.
It is solid in all the right places. Windshield frame,boot area,wheel tubs,firewall,
Originally a poly 318 auto, I have several motor choices from 6 to 440.

 

[3175375]

View attachment 420104 View attachment 420105 View attachment 420106 View attachment 420107 View attachment 420108 View attachment 420109 View attachment 420110 View attachment 420111 View attachment 420112 I have more mopar projects than I will ever get to in my lifetime. So what will it hurt to add one more!
I picked up this basket case 61 FURY conv awhile back.
Was going to part it and cut up the rest.
Got out the toolboxes, swazalls and torches. Then just could not do it.
Has significant rocker rust on drivers side and is missing conv top and some hard to find conv trim. Still it's a red/red int FL vert.
I'm going to experiment by welding in some rockers/floor boards from a 61 Newport and if that goes well I will slap this thing together using secondary 61 parts I already have.
It is solid in all the right places. Windshield frame,boot area,wheel tubs,firewall,
Originally a poly 318 auto, I have several motor choices from 6 to 440.

You’ll rescue it.
I bought a 67 Corvair Monza vert for $500 that I backed into my 2 car garage. The rocker panels are so rotted that the doors won’t close all the way. However, for me, replacements are available.

Good luck with the project!

 

[barnfind]

I have some of the trim for that one.

 

[barnfind]

I'm not sure what became of the car, it might still be around.

 

[bluefury361]

Virgil got a bunch of parts off that one......

 

[SGT FURY]

I do believe it's the same car! I'm interested in trim.

I'm not sure what became of the car, it might still be around.
View attachment 420178

 

[barnfind]

I do believe it's the same car! I'm interested in trim.

It is the very same car. One former owner reached out to me, and I stopped by to see a previous owner to chat and pick up some parts. Great to see it found its way to the right home! Congrats, too by the way.

Ill shoot a pm on the parts soon.

 

[pomonamissel]

sgt fury not the rag !

 

[barnfind]

Got em pulled out today, heres what I have

 

[SGT FURY]

Was giving this car a second and third look. The door jam rocker area is just too thin and rusted through on inside jam and gas pedal area is falling through. Hump has been cut through for a floor shifter,+has some wrecking yard floorboard forklift damage.

I also have this rock solid 4dr HTP 318 3speed with rare factory A/C.
Was a SoCal desert car.
The bad is it was hit hard is gas door area long ago and repaired badly. Trunk does not close correctly. Rear panel needs replacing and interior is sun baked. A premium parts car.

I was thinking of how to (Frankenstein) these 2 cars together to save conv...?!
Maybe graft conv windshield frame and top rear 1/4 section to 4dr.
Or have I been watching too many Cold War vids?

 

[SGT FURY]

4,HTP

 

[bluefury361]

It's doable Ken. The 61's are basically the same car under the exterior sheet metal. Still a huge project though. Did you ever get the top frame for the convertible?

 

[SGT FURY]

No,never got the top yet

 

[Furious]

The thing I like about doing basketcases, is there's nowhere to go but up. That Fury convertible is a cool project. Great colors too. Any 61 Plymouth 4 door can donate fenders, hood, trunk lid, bumpers, dash, door hinges and many other parts. Doors are the same as 60-64 Dodge full size, 62 Chrysler, 60-61 Plymouths, so they aren't hard to locate.
Trunk floors fit every 60-64 Full size mopar. 2 or 4 door-all the same.
Main interior floor also fits all 60-64, although the 60-61 has a larger trans hump. Windshields fit all 60-64 full size too. That's the beauty of the 60-64 Mopars-so much interchanges.
My recommendation is install doors, and align them perfectly to the quarters, before doing any cutting on the rockers, since the rockers are the main side structure on a convertible. I like to weld in a support brace across the door openings, to keep everything in place. These can be installed to allow the doors to open and close while doing the surgery.
I have an NOS red speaker grille that would look good in there...

 

[SGT FURY]

I'm a fairly good welder. In the early 90s I used to hand weld flowmaster mufflers at the factory.
Until we were all replaced by robots. I've built and welded up over 200 demo derby cars over the years.
I don't have any auto body work experience.
I do have a freind who says he will help with the hard replacement panels.
Where does one learn how to replace difficult panels at such late age in life?

I would be very interested in red speaker grille!

 

[Furious]

Learning to weld in panels takes experience. Practice on something less desirable/valuable to hone your skills. Take an old 70's Chevy truck fender or door, and buy patch panels (they are very cheap for those trucks). This would help you learn the skills to cut and fit, butt weld, grind, hammer and dolly sheet metal. Then you could learn the art of metal prep, epoxy primer, body filler, sanding, painting if you wanted, on that same part. Or maybe you have an old gas pump, or a little red wagon or some other collectible you want to restore. Those small projects teach the same skills. You could learn a great deal by watching someone who does restoration work in person. Find a mentor if possible. Youtube has lots of videos too

 

[SGT FURY]

Just dragged this 63 300 coupe parts car out of storage. Has rust free trunk floor and drop downs! Usable interior floor pan with bucket seat reinforcements. Solid rockers,dog leg area.
Nice complete solid sub frame with running 383 with A/C.
Good windshield,inner fenders and radiator support.
All which would go into conv???.
Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a 118 wheelbase floorboard and a 122 wheelbase floor board is? Where does the 4in difference come in? Is it in the rear package shelf area?

 

[SGT FURY]

 

[patrick66]

118" and 122" is in the rockers and the floor itself, mostly. The package shelf doesn't care. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but the cars are also wider, too. Similar to, say, a Coronet and a Monaco in 1966.

 

[Furious]

View attachment 449637 View attachment 449638 View attachment 449639 View attachment 449640 View attachment 449641 View attachment 449642 View attachment 449643 View attachment 449644 View attachment 449645 View attachment 449646 Just dragged this 63 300 coupe parts car out of storage. Has rust free trunk floor and drop downs! Usable interior floor pan with bucket seat reinforcements. Solid rockers,dog leg area.
Nice complete solid sub frame with running 383 with A/C.
Good windshield,inner fenders and radiator support.
All which would go into conv???.
Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a 118 wheelbase floorboard and a 122 wheelbase floor board is? Where does the 4in difference come in? Is it in the rear package shelf area?

The rear footwells are shorter. Main floor is the same length on all bodies. Rockers are shorter on 118" cars