Pick of the Day: 1969 Plymouth VIP

If Ford launches Something that’s popular, would you expect Chevrolet and Plymouth (or even AMC) to follow suit? You bet! That’s what happened when Ford introduced the Galaxie 500 LTD in 1965 – soon followed by Chevrolet with the Caprice, AMC with the Ambassador DPL in 1966, and Plymouth with the VIP. The last elegant full-size Plymouth is our daily pick. This 1969 Fury VIP two-door hardtop is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Waalwijk, Netherlands. (Click on the link to view the list)’

LTD is Ford’s interpretation of luxury goods in the low-price segment. Although there was no Lincoln, the LTD met public demand and was such a sales success that Chevrolet introduced the Caprice four-door hardtop in January 1965. Plymouth made observations before launching the Fury-based VIP in 1966. “You get more for less,” Plymouth claims: thick-pile carpeting, fine-textured fabrics, and “countless gadgets, like cigar lighters on the front and back.” seats and reading lights (two features on four-door models), armrests and “discreet use of chrome”.

The Fury was redesigned in 1967 and then completely redesigned in 1969, introducing the “fuselage” design language that would permeate Chrysler within a few years. The new VIP rides on a 120-inch wheelbase and is available with a four-door hardtop and a pair of two-door hardtops (one is called the “Fast Top” and has a slim C-pillar, the other has a more formal roofline ). “Highly curved windshield and side windows” and plenty of clean styling tricks like hidden windshield wipers and a flush nameplate.

The VIP’s lower body side trim runs smoothly laterally along the sides from nose to tail, aided by standard fender skirts. Wheel covers are also standard. As before, nice interior trim – in this case, deep ‘biscuit’ pleats and a fold-down center armrest – is standard in cloth and vinyl, with vinyl or leather available as an option. Delayed ignition switches and courtesy lights are more common features on luxury cars.

However, unlike LTD and Caprice which became very popular in the 1970s, VIP did not exist after 1969. Plymouth eventually created the Gran Fury to top the Fury range, but it never had the aura of “very”. Important Plymouth. ” This 1969 Plymouth VIP appears to be painted in “BL1” Sand Pebble Beige with a similarly hued vinyl top. Inside, you’ll find a “P4T” tan vinyl split-back bench seat. “This is a so-called California blackboard car that has been driven in very good weather conditions in its previous life,” the seller says. “The car has never been welded and even the paint consists mostly of first coats of paint. ”

Power comes from the 383 V8, but it’s not specified whether it’s a 290-horsepower two-cylinder or a 330-horsepower four-cylinder – based on the exhaust manifold, air cleaner, and dual tailpipes, I’d be betting it’s the latter. With TorqueFlite, automatic shifting is possible. Options include air conditioning, turn signals and dual exhaust pipes, among others.

Don’t let this car’s European origins scare you—the seller claims that “our cars are available for pickup Monday through Saturday from our New Jersey warehouse (Linden, NJ).” The asking price of $26,000 plus shipping is $1,800. Is it worth it? It depends on how important you want to be seen.

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