Jim writes: I am restoring my '64 Fury in my garage in Royal Oak, Michigan, home of The Dream Cruise, the world’s largest classic car cruise. However, the worst thing about living here is that it never fails ... every time I show someone or tell someone about my car, their first response is “did you buy it to fix it up for the dream cruise?” Ugh! My answer is, “No, I bought it because I have been in love with these cars since I was a kid!”
Anyway, I picked up my Plymouth in the Houston, Texas area...flew down and looked at it, then bought it and had it shipped back. When it finally arrived the right door window was broken and by the looks of it, someone had removed the radio from the dash with a claw hammer.
|
I have stripped the car nearly to the unibody, had it media blasted and primed, and had the engine compartment painted. I am just starting to get it put back together. The original color was medium blue, (see below), but I am going with a custom metallic pearl. My job sent me to Brazil for three months in 2002 and to India last year, so things are going a bit slow. | |
The front suspension is nearly restored with the help of a complete front end package from Just Suspension (those folks are great, by the way). Once I'm done with the suspension I am installing a disc brake conversion from SSB.
The Plymouth Fury was originally a Poly car. I have an unmolested '62 413 in my garage ... not sure if I'll drop that in or go with a another RB. I know the 413 is not era-correct, but the car is going to be more of a street rod than a factory resto, (hence the custom pearl paint choice).
| To date, I have rebuilt the front suspension, installed an SSBC front disc brake conversion package, rebuilt the steering column and the steering gear, and replaced the wiring harnesses. |
 |
 |
 |
Next step is to turn it around in my garage and begin tearing apart the rear end. The plan is to remove the factory 8 3/4 rear/tapered axles and install a Dana setup. Along the way, I'll be relocating the springs and redoing the shocks, brakes, etc.
Still a long way from running, but slowly making some progress.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| This weekend I worked on the electrical. Setup the battery in the trunk with a Moroso sealed box, moved the starter relay to the trunk, wired the cut-off switch, and powered-up the fuel pump relay. |
 |
 |
I stood outside and looked at the car with the headlights and taillights on for a long time last night. Small thing, I know, but this is the first time she has had power since I stripped it for blasting 5 years ago. |
