Restoring a Wrecked 1964 Plymouth Sport Fury Convertible
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Bettie
writes: My husband Jon and I own
a 1964 Plymouth Sport Fury Convertible,
with original Hurst stick shift.
The Sport Fury is all original with the
exception of having been repainted. |
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At least it was original.
Thanks to a stupid 16 year old kid falling asleep
at the wheel,
the Plymouth is really messed up. |
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We were stopped at a red light in Mobile Alabama after leaving a car show. Well, the kid did not stop. He rammed us doing at least 30 to 35 MPH. He had two small children in the car with him. I honestly cannot remember when I have been so mad. As it turned out his driver’s license had been revoked. |
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Anyway, now we have the chore of trying to restore the Plymouth. The Sport Fury is drivable, as all the damage is in the back. The rear end is pushed way in and upward. The whole body is out of alignment.
I am sure we can probably find another trunk lid, right and left rear quarters, and a new rear bumper.
But the tail lights will be much harder to find, as will one rare item that comes in three pieces and only on Sport Fury’s: the three ornaments right over the key hole for the trunk. The inside of one is red, another white, and another blue. One of those pieces was knocked off. We did not realize that until we returned home to Gulfport, MS. When we realized the part was gone we drove back to Mobile to look for it and we found it. Having been run over several times, the pins that hold it in place is missing.
Jon is absolutely heartbroken.
We got married in 1964 and bought a new Plymouth Savoy as our first car. We had many different cars in our life but this Plymouth was the dream that Jon has been looking for. We found the Sport Fury in Odessa, Missouri and the price was right and it was as it advertised.
Jon was working on the manifold and other engine parts all last week, painting and detailing.The engine looked really great. We made plans to go to the car show in Mobile. Saturday was Jon’s 64th birthday. And on the way home that kid in the Jeep Cherokee rammed us so hard it knocked the key out of the ignition!
So, we are now beginning a new journey looking for parts.
If anyone can help with parts to help us restore this Sport Fury please contact us at 228.832.6791. Thanks.
Update February 2006
Repairs were made and my body shop will paint the Plymouth in early February.
Jon and the Plymouth |
Jon and Aaron “Bummer” Suddeth,
the owner of the Suddeth Body Shop
in Long Beach, MS -- and main man |
Jon and Dave, the body man |
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The upholstery is being replaced and the two front seats will be ready in February as well.
After a proper time for paint drying I will begin putting all the trim back on.
It will be a while before I get the back bumper and some other trim pieces from the chrome shop in Nashville but I will go with what I have.
A little at a time.
A special thanks goes to: Bob Kinker in Virginia, as we got most of our parts from him; Joe Suchy in Georgia, who supplied us with many, many parts; and Greg Robertson in California, who provided us with a perfect rust free rear panel.
Bettie and I really thank Gary H. and all the people that saw our story on the 1962 to 1965 Mopar Web site.
We make some good contacts and good friends too!
We will send pictures of finished project when all is done.
Update June 2006
Midnight is up and running beautifully!
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We decided to go ahead and do a few other things but our insurance covered about 90% of the work.
If anyone with a classic car needs good insurance, Grundy is the one to go with. |
We are so grateful to have found this Web site. The majority of the parts, pieces and work came from people who saw our story on the 1962 to 1965 Mopar Web site. Hopefully any Mopar fans out there will find this site and benefit from it the way we have.
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Thanks again for being out there for us and others. |
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Thanks, Bettie and Jon!
I am very sad to hear of the wreck! Thank goodness no one was killed or badly injured.
Let’s see if this Web page help’s you get the your 1964 Plymouth back on the highway.
I’m confident the Sport Fury will again roam the roads!
RE February update: great news! Glad to hear the web site helped, AND that you made some new Mopar friends as well!
RE June 2006 update: Wonderful result! Thanks to everyone who reads and supports this Web site for helping Bettie and Jon get their Sport Fury back on the streets! 
Gary H.
Page posted on November 15, 2005. Update February 5, 2006; June 16, 2006
