If Ford introduces something popular, would you expect Chevrolet and Plymouth (and even AMC) to follow suit? You betcha! That’s what happened when Ford introduced the Galaxie 500 LTD in 1965—soon, Chevrolet introduced the Caprice and, for 1966, AMC introduced the Ambassador DPL and Plymouth introduced the VIP. The last of these elegant full-size Plymouths is our Pick of the Day. This 1969 Fury VIP two-door hardtop is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Waalwijk, The Netherlands. (Click the link to view the listing)’
The LTD was Ford’s take on luxury in the low-priced field. While no Lincoln, the LTD met a need with the public and was a huge sales success, so much so that Chevrolet had a Caprice four-door hardtop ready by January 1965. Plymouth sat back and observed before introducing the Fury-based VIP for 1966. “You get so much more for so little more,” Plymouth claimed: deep-pile carpeting, fine-textured fabrics, and “countless little extras like the cigar lighter on the back of the front seat and reading lamps (both features of the four-door model), arm rests, and “discreet use of chrome.”
The Fury was restyled for 1967, then completely redesigned for 1969, ushering the “Fuselage” design language that would permeate the Chrysler Corporation within a few years. Riding on a 120-inch wheelbase and available as a four-door hardtop and a pair of two-door hardtops (one called the “Fast Top” with slender C-pillars, the other having a more formal roofline), the new VIP featured “highly curved windshield and side windows” and a lot of clean styling tricks like concealed windshield wipers and flush nameplates.
The VIP featured lower-body side trim that, with the assist from standard fender skirts, transversed smoothly along the sides from nose to tail. Wheel covers also were standard. Like before, a fancy interior—in this case, deep “biscuit” pleats and fold-down center armrest—in cloth and vinyl was standard, with vinyl or leather available. An ignition switch with time delay, and courtesy lamps were features more commonly found on luxury cars.
However, unlike the LTD and Caprice, both of which would become quite popular in the 1970s, the VIP wouldn’t exist after 1969. Plymouth eventually created the Gran Fury to top the Fury series, but it never had the aura of a “Very Important Plymouth.” This 1969 Plymouth VIP looks to be painted “BL1” Sandpebble Beige with a similarly hued vinyl top. Inside, you’ll find the “P4T” Tan vinyl split-back bench seat. “This is a so-called California Black Plate car that has always driven in a very good climate in its previous life,” says the seller. “The car has never been welded and even the paint consists largely of the first paint.”
Power comes from a 383 V8 though it isn’t specified whether it’s a 290-horsepower two-barrel or a 330-horse four-barrel—based on the exhaust manifolds, air cleaner, and dual exhausts, I’m betting the latter. Shifting is automatic thanks to TorqueFlite. Options include air conditioning, cornering lights, and dual exhausts, among others.
Don’t let the European origins of this car scare you—the seller states that “our cars can be picked up from our New Jersey warehouse (Linden, NJ) from Monday through Saturday.” The cost of shipping on top of the $26,000 asking price is $1,800. Is it worth it? It depends on how important you wish to be seen.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
Source: www.classiccars.com