The Black Befinned Beauty of a Unique ’60 Plymouth Fury
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The seller of the one-of-a-kind 1960 Plymouth Fury known as Black Betty said, “It’s without a doubt the biggest head-turner I have ever owned.” He bought it at a Barrett-Jackson Auction in 2019 and recently listed it on eBay with a Buy-It-Now price of $50,000. The rock-steady, custom pro-touring MOPAR has all the right components to rule the road—and the show circuit.
It was the previous owner who transformed the Fury into Black Betty in a four-year restoration project.
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The pro-touring stance comes from a Magnum Force front suspension - opens in new window or tab. and Competition Engineering 4-link rear suspension - opens in new window or tab. with a Currie 9-inch rear end - opens in new window or tab.. The builder crafted contour-cut floor pans and made capped custom frame-connectors to stop the body flex. Award-winning Weaver Customs did the final fitting of this beauty.
Big Fins Plus Hemi Power
The custom look comes from reversing the hood opening direction. The builder also cleared the chrome from the taillight housing and removed side trim pieces. The result is pure black sleekness.
The style continues in the interior, which features Katzkin leather-covered bucket seats - opens in new window or tab. and suede- leather headliner. The trunk also uses leather and suede to extend the theme. The cabin sports a banging Sony sound system with a 6” x 8” dash screen and backup camera - opens in new window or tab..
This black beast is powered by a 6.1-liter Hemi crate engine from Indianapolis shop, Indy Cylinder Heads - opens in new window or tab.. There’s a trick six-pack carburetor setup.
The engine reportedly makes 440 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a new TorqueFlite automatic transmission - opens in new window or tab. with overdrive. Wilwood power disc brakes provide stopping. And the engine thump comes from a set of stainless MagnaFlow mufflers - opens in new window or tab..
The Shape-Shifting Fury
The Plymouth Fury nameplate was a mainstay for the Plymouth brand from 1955 to 1989. At first, it was offered as a variant of the Belvedere model. Then it became a stand-alone, full-size model in 1959. The Fury shrunk to a mid-size car from 1962 to 1964 before bulking back up to a full-size model through 1974.
The design changes continued in the following decades. The Fury swapped back to a mid-size car from 1975 to 1978. Then, starting in 1979, the Gran Fury became the largest full-sized offering for Chrysler’s C platform. Finally, from 1982 to 1989, the Gran Fury was once again slimmed to the mid-size “M” body format.
The Short-Lived Long Tailfin
The 1960 model introduced unibody construction and an air induction system. The model was designed by Virgil Exner, who is considered the father of the tail fin. The Fury’s front end has a menacing look with the four headlights accented by a curved eyebrow trim and wide-mouthed grille.
The seller is Derek Stebner, a real estate developer based in Scottsdale, Ariz. He has been collecting cars for about five years. Stebner said this about Black Betty: “I have never seen another like it.” That helps explain its well-deserved price in the eBay listing. After the Fury finds it new owner, the seller will focus on finishing his 1962 Corvette restomod with a new LS3 crate engine.
But it’s the experience behind the wheel that will be priceless. The builder put just as much focus on the car’s handling and Mopar power. Since its construction, Black Betty was driven a number of shakedown miles. That means a new owner can cruise down the road with speed and confidence from Day One.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.