The “Folks” and the Fury, Pasadena, CA, 1964
“Folks” is hand written on this slide. Do these “folks” realize they left their camera on the hood of their car? The camera is the Argus Seventy Five, mass-produced in Ann Arbor, Michigan between 1953 and 1958. The car is a 1961 Plymouth Fury.
Flaring, wrap around front fenders make this the one of the most spectacular designs ever to roll off a Plymouth assembly line. After five years of Plymouths sporting stylish tailfins the ‘61 model year is the first without. But the fashionable front end makes up for it. And this car is parked to show it off! The Plymouth logo, a gold anodized rocket, is centered on the stamped aluminum grille. The black and yellow California license plate gives scale to the delicate wrap around bumper. Among the cars other odd features are the dash mounted mirror and pushbutton transmission. Push “D” for drive or “R’ for reverse. His sunshade is up; hers is down.
Speaking of he and she, the “folks,” they are both properly dressed for a mid-day drive. She is outstanding in a bright turquoise, short-sleeved dress. He chose a suit of forest green over white finished with a thin tie held in place by a tie bar. He clutches a striped paper bag in one hand and shows off a silver box in the other. Stepping-stones guide them between the Fury and the front door.
Back in the late 80s and early 90s when I was buying and selling late 50s and early 60s American cars on just about a weekly basis, I owned a couple of ‘61 Plymouth Furys. I bought them both out of the local auto trader. One of them came from the estate of a nurse named Wilma White in Tujunga, CA. It was a two-door hardtop, white with a red interior. What a great car! I drove it to work for a while in the late 80s when I was a fashion designer downtown Los Angeles. Wilma White, I always name my cars after the original owner, also provided me with the most unfortunate experience of my early car collecting days. I’ll never forget.
I had just gotten home from work. I parked it, as usual, on the hill in front of my house. Well, I guess I didn’t set the parking brake hard enough. And that’s not a good thing considering these cars are notorious for falling out of park and rolling down hills. And that’s exactly what my 1961 Plymouth Fury did. It rolled backwards pinning my neighbor’s Volvo broadside leaving it accordion pleated up against the curb. Oh well, I had to buy my neighbor a new used Volvo. It was the price I had to pay to see a ’61 Plymouth total a Volvo and drive away unscathed without a scratch. I should’ve taken a picture but I didn’t have my Argus Seventy Five on me.
Here’s to the “folks, the Argus, Wilma White VS. the Volvo and YOU!
I’ve had 2 61 Fury Convertibles. One in 1981, a white rustbucket that drove well, 318 V8. My second was in 1995, a red one that I two toned black & red. Had underdash AC. Mechanically these were great cars, but poor quality control on ALL 1960-62 MOPARS made them a rattlewreck.
One of the things I noticed in the photo is the width of the driveway and the size and location of the garage. My guess is that the ’61 plymouth never saw the inside of that Model-A garage.
Trying to squeeze the Fury through that narrow space back to the garage would definately play havoc with the neighbors nicely planted side yard!
So weird, the street I live on in Eagle Rock crosses a street called Argus. I wonder if it’s named after the same one who developed that camera I’d never heard of. Argus is an unusual name, don’t you think?
Judging by the license number beginning with “ABJ”, it must have been a long trip – those plates would have been issued in Chico, in northern California.
Please tell me your insurance company bought the Volvo. Great story, btw.
Glad you enjoyed the FURY vs. VOLVO story.I’m the one that bought my neighbor a new used Volvo. My insurance company wasn’t involved.
For “Pamela” (above). ARGUS: Greek I believe. It means “Many Eyed” (usually in reference to a watchdog or attentive leader).
My “Argus” (a silver & white schnauzer that sported the now trademark on all my dogs… MOHAWK)- was named after Odysseus’ (Ullyses?) dog Argus (the only one that recognized his master when he returned years later as a Cache of Creeps were cajoling his faithful wife Penelope).
Eagle Rock Street? Near Dodger Stadium & Griffith Park in LA? Love the fascinating 1920′s bungalo homes there! They REALLY DO NEED LARGE GARAGES NOW THOUGH! LOL!
My grandparents had a ’60 Fury they parked in a 1 car garage – I could never figure out when I was a kid how they got into it to drive it out! And those tail fins were deadly….
What a fun web site. Thank you for doing this
They look like a nice old couple. Pity about your car.
Charles, what a day brightener your web site is! I love this slide. The Folks look like a sweet couple. When I first saw the slide, I had to remind myself that Mr. Folk couldn’t possibly be carrying a lap top. But I’m still trying to guess what’s in the bag. I hope they were about to hit the road to get to somewhere fun!
I love this image! The Fury has to be the angriest-looking car ever! On a more sombre note, today Kodak announced it is retiring its last Kodachrome film (K64) for good. That sad news takes on more resonance as I peruse the beautiful pictures here. Now, in yet another way, these depict a bygone era.
love the slides and your comments Charles/keep up the great retro memories
love your photo of the Brown Derby. Am also captivated by the old one of Reno. Was there 2 yrs ago, hardly recognized the place after 25 yrs.
Good ol’ Chuck Phoenix! You’ve done it again!This great pic not only embodies the old (grandma/grandpa) but the hope of the new space-age generation as exemplified in the giant tail-finned Plymouth Fury! Great contrast, great beauty this pic! .Thanks for sharing.