One thing we’ve learned here at Rod Authority is that every modified car, especially those that are less than common has a story behind it, and when asked about his car, Dave Kraker explained that the 1959 Plymouth Fury was his first love.

Well, what Dave actually said was that his first car was a ’59 Fury, but deep down as gear heads, all of us know that our first car was really our first love. Few things compare to the feeling of freedom and endless possibilities that come with owning an automobile.

Though it was similar in color, the car you see today is not Dave’s original Fury. He sold his first car in order to start a life with his true love, his Fury, and now wife of nearly 50 years. While he doesn’t have any regrets about selling his Fury, one thing he can admit is that he didn’t think it would take almost a decade to find a suitable replacement for the car that first stole his heart.

As a die hard Plymouth fan, Dave admits that the Fury was never a well-built car, and as such most of the examples that didn’t meet the crusher were either rotted with rust or too neglected to be worth dedicating any real time or effort into. But the heart knows what it wants, and Dave sifted through the rough searching for his diamond.

Dave’s patience eventually paid off as he was able to locate an unmolested Fury with just 49,000 miles on the clock. Still in the hands of the original owner, the car has only been dealer serviced it’s entire life! After flipping through the book of receipts documenting the car’s meticulous upkeep, Dave handed the previous owner the cash they required to transfer the car to his name.

Starting Fresh

Having built several cars prior, Dave quickly got his tools out and began transforming a once humble daily driver into a true show winner. In factory form, the body of the Fury exudes classic 50s flair with its long wheelbase, chrome trim, and large fins.

Dave didn’t want to get rid of that charm. Instead, he wanted to clear the canvas of clutter so those details could take center stage.

The door handles, trunk locks, and window vents were first to go, followed by the gas door, which has been relocated to a less conspicuous position. The bumpers were also stripped of its guards and bolts before being re-chromed and put back on the vehicle.

Finally rounding out the exterior modifications, the wheelbase are stretched slightly so that the rear wheels are better centered within the wheel openings. From there, Dave prepped the body and sprayed the car himself in a hand mixed blend of greenish teal that he only wishes was available when he purchased his first Fury.

Lover’s Quarters

Since he and his wife retained fond memories of cruising behind the dash of his first Fury, Dave kept the interior fairly close to what it looked like when it rolled off the assembly line.

The factory option swivel seats have been re-upholstered by Wanda’s Auto Upholstery, the only part of the build Dave didn’t do himself. The pattern used helped update things slightly, but the car still retained its natural character.

The wheels he put on the car are Billet Specialties “Fury” wheel that coincidentally matches well with the brackets of the stock dash. The dash, which is made of stamped aluminum, is one of the most unique features of the Fury, and while Dave made air conditioning an essential for this build, cutting up that dash was something he was trying to avoid.

As a result, he installed cool air pipes through the factory vents in the rear package tray thanks to a vintage air unit hidden away in the trunk. Dave said the car has no aftermarket sound system at all. The sound of the exhaust is all he needs to bring a smile to his face and send him back to the past.

Completing The Package

The custom exhaust system is attached to a fuel injected 1970 Chrysler 440ci V8, which is also supercharged. With an estimated 600 horsepower, this car fits right in with Dave’s hull of supercharged toys, which includes a forced induction Harley Davidson.

The motor has been dressed up with tons of polished or chromed components under the hood including the alternator, water pump, and long ram intake. The spark plug wires are green to match the exterior.

Bringing a car as big as the Fury to a stop after a long period is no easy task, but 12.25-inch Wilwood disc rotors and brakes are installed to give good stopping power. This tried and true brake setup hides behind 18×8 and 18×10-inch Billet Specialties wheels.

Wrapped with wide tires, Dave had to narrow the Ford rearend and tub the back of the car in order to to achieve proper fitment. Up front, the modifications necessary to reduce the ride height were less drastic, but he did mention that he is proud of the stainless steel TCI suspension he bolted to the chassis.

Though the car looks absolutely stunning, it becomes an entirely new beast when Dave lets the air out of the system. Parked with 0 psi in the Shockwave air springs, the tops of the Billet Specialties wheels play hide and seek with anyone watching.

It may have taken a long time for Dave to find his way back behind the wheel of a Fury, but spending ten years spent searching for the right one, and the year and a half he spent building it were all worth it in the end. Dave now has the perfect Plymouth and something he and his wife will no doubt enjoy cruising in for years to come.