The big girl in this photo outside of a holdover Kerr-McGee gas station is a 1969 Plymouth Fury III convertible, a bold example of American full-size motoring at the end of the 1960s. Completely redesigned for 1969, the Fury adopted Chrysler’s new “fuselage” styling, with smoother body sides, a long hood, broad grille, and substantial proportions that gave it a lower, more streamlined appearance. The Fury III occupied the upscale end of the Fury lineup and was available in several body styles, including sedans, hardtops, and a convertible, with plusher interiors and additional trim distinguishing it from less expensive models.
Under the hood, buyers could choose from a range of Chrysler engines, from economical six-cylinder power to muscular V8s suited to the Fury’s considerable size. With its roomy cabin, soft ride, enormous trunk, and highway-friendly manners, the Fury III represented the kind of comfortable family cruiser that dominated American roads before the fuel crises of the following decade. Today, the 1969 Fury III stands as a great example of Chrysler’s dramatic late-’60s styling and the era when full-size cars truly lived up to the name.
