Plymouth Fury
Once considered the weaker, less beloved sibling of other companies that manufactured sports cars, Plymouth changed its image by entering into the automobile performance field. In 1956, the company produced the limited edition Plymouth Fury, a model that steadily improved in the succeeding years of 1957 and 1958. The Fury’s that first rolled off of the assembly line were the most powerful Plymouths of the 1950s.
The History of the Fury
After World War II, sales of Chrysler vehicles were stagnant. Chairman Kaufman Thuma Keller felt partly responsible for the company’s inertia in the market. After reviewing designs of post-war Plymouths in 1949, he was insistent on producing cars that were tall enough for people to get into while still wearing a hat.
A few years later, in 1955, versions of various Plymouths were set to enter the production phase. One of the more stylish clay models caught Keller’s eye. The mockup had peaked fenders, a clean bar grille, and smooth lines. The chairman knew how much was on the line. The company could not afford another mistake.
In the late 1940s, the automobile market was focused on functionality and cost instead of style. At first. Then competition in the style space started to heat up after Ford launched its line of products in 1953. By comparison, Chryslers appeared to be outdated and very ordinary. Plymouth was typically a bread-winner for Chrysler, but in 1954, the division took a beating at the hands of Ford’s sales blitz. That year, the sale of Plymouths peaked at 399,000 which put the company in fifth place- the first time the organization had not been in the top three since 1930.
A Time for Change
The Fury was released to the marketplace in 1955. Successful from the start, the car was a hit. In 1956, it was manufactured with wings which proved to be just as lucrative for the company. Plymouth rightfully claimed fourth place in the automotive industry for both of those years. It reentered the top three by taking third place in 1957.
Fortunately for Chrysler, sisters of the Fury performed in the market equally as well. Many automotive historians attribute the 1955 Fury for the rejuvenation of the Chrysler Corporation.
The Fury was creatively designed and offered Plymouth’s first V-8 engine. The cars were colorful, good-looking, fast, and loved by consumers.
The Tale of the Fury is Long
Though many automobile aficionados pay closer attention to the Fury of the 1950s due to its part in saving Chrysler, the car had an impressive run lasting from 1955 all the way to 1989. From 1959 until 1961, it was a full-size car. From 1962 to 1964, it was mid-sized. It was released as a full-sized vehicle again from 1965 until 1974. Then back to mid-size from 1975 to 1978.
