The person responsible for renovating the Plymouth Fury III is Mr Pham Ngoc Duy Khang. Currently, he is the owner of a small car garage in Tan Phong ward, Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province. He has gained recognition in the car enthusiast community for his talent in finding and restoring abandoned vintage cars. Most recently, Mr Khang successfully completed the restoration of the only 1969 Plymouth Fury III in Vietnam.
The Plymouth Fury III was produced by Plymouth from 1955 to 1989. Mr Khang’s car belongs to the fifth generation, which features various upgrades such as improved engine performance, additional air conditioning, and an AM/FM radio.
Noteworthy design elements of the car include its long and wide size, accompanied by a menacing front fascia with a 4-halogen headlight system. Combined with its lowrider style, the Fury III embodies the quintessential American muscle car spirit.
Inside the cabin, the front seats are designed as a bench, providing spacious seating. To enhance convenience, the transmission and center console are located on the steering wheel and dashboard, reminiscent of the 1981 Cadillac Seville as previously reported by Ti?n Phong newspaper. The Plymouth Fury III stands out with its frameless windows and pillar-less body, creating an open space for the driver and passengers.
However, when Mr Khang first acquired the Plymouth, it was nonfunctional due to years of neglect. The entire engine was damaged, and the body and floor of the car had extensive rust.
To revive the “beloved car,” Mr Khang embarked on a 4-month-long restoration mission in the American muscle car style. Skilled technicians meticulously dismantled all the components for inspection. The engine parts needed replacement due to prolonged exposure to water, and a comprehensive rejuvenation was necessary.
Simultaneously, Mr Khang used high-quality black leather to revamp the interior, creating a luxurious atmosphere. Additionally, he studied the rewiring of the car to ensure smoother operation.
The most challenging aspect was handling the car shell. American imported cars often have unique body sections, necessitating meticulous preservation of the original design of the Plymouth Fury III while performing necessary metalwork.
During this arduous phase, Mr Khang shared, “I spent over 2 months completing the metalwork on the car body. After that, I encountered issues with missing components and had to wait for them to be shipped from the US. This delayed the car testing process. The additional components I needed included wheels, a radiator grille, and a few other parts.”
Notably, while restoring the car to its original condition, Mr Khang added personalized touches to the Plymouth Fury III through individualized details. The exhaust system stands out with its shape and sound, resembling a product from Harley Davidson, creating a unique and superior character.
In terms of driving experience, the car owner is thrilled with its large and long yet remarkably stable and comfortable nature when cornering, likening it to “gliding on water”. Furthermore, the car is equipped with a V8 318 engine producing 230 horsepower, combined with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Upon completion, Mr Khang’s Plymouth has gained the attention of many collectors. Some have even attempted to persuade the current owner to sell the car at a high price. However, Mr Khang has declined all offers.
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Le Phuc is a passionate car enthusiast from Bien Hoa. He has a special interest in vintage cars, particularly BMW and Mercedes-Benz. With his collection of beautiful cars, he initially didn’t have to invest much time and effort into restoring them. His main tasks involved repainting, refurbishing the interiors, and upgrading the rims.