The Plymouth Sport Fury GT, a luxurious full size coupe with a powerful V8 engine, was a standout muscle car in 1970 and 1971. It combined the elegance of a high end coupe with the raw power of a performance vehicle. Before the rise of intermediates, pony cars, and compacts as muscle car platforms, the most potent V8 engines were typically found in full size models.
In 1964, Pontiac pioneered this trend by transplanting its most powerful full size V8 into the mid size LeMans, creating the legendary GTO. The GTO’s success led to a surge in demand for smaller, performance oriented cars, eventually causing full size muscle cars to decline. Despite this trend, Plymouth surprised the market by introducing the Sport Fury GT in 1970.
While many competitors were offering less powerful full-size models or focusing on smaller performance vehicles, Plymouth offered the Sport Fury GT as a luxurious and powerful option. The GT package included visual enhancements, two potent big-block V8 engines, and upgraded chassis components.
The Sport Fury GT’s visual appeal was enhanced by its fuselage-style two-door hardtop body, hidden headlamps, wider Rallye wheels, dual exhausts, subtle side and hood stripes, and the option of High Impact colors. Inside, the GT featured an upscale interior with a vinyl upholstered bench seat, a foldable armrest, and the option of individual bucket seats.
The GT package was available in both 1970 and 1971, with minor visual changes for the 1971 model year. Despite the decline of full-size muscle cars, the Plymouth Sport Fury GT remained a desirable and sought-after performance vehicle. Its combination of luxury, power, and distinctive styling made it a standout among its contemporaries.
The Sport Fury GT, a full-size muscle car built by Plymouth in 1970 and 1971, was a rare and powerful vehicle. Its large size and weight required a potent engine to match its performance aspirations.
The standard engine was a 440 cubic inch V8, but an optional six-barrel version offered even more power. However, this engine was discontinued in 1971, leaving the 375-hp Super Commando as the sole big block option.
Despite its impressive acceleration, the Sport Fury GT was not a dedicated drag car. Its heavy weight and rear-wheel drive made it better suited for highway cruising. The car’s large, luxurious interior and comfortable ride made it a pleasant place to be, even on long trips.
Its distinctive styling, with its bold grille and muscular fenders, set it apart from other full size cars of the era. Although it was not a commercial success, the Sport Fury GT remains a sought after collector’s item today due to its rarity and unique combination of size, power, and luxury. Fewer than 100 examples are believed to exist today, making it one of the most elusive muscle cars of its generation.
