When Plymouth introduced its newly styled 1955 lineup, Chrysler executives were holding their breath, hoping the designs weren’t too radically over-the-top compared to the outgoing 1954s. As it turned out, the new cars were well received, and as such, confidence was up a bit among the executives when Plymouth sharpened up the styling for 1956 and introduced the Fury.

However, Plymouth buyers were still a very traditional lot; those working for the division were hyper aware of that fact and the Fury was a far cry from traditional. But the hope was that both the new styling and the sporty, even flashy, Fury would broaden the overall customer base while encouraging current customers that good things were happening at Plymouth.

The Fury was based on the Belvedere’s familiar body, but it packed a 303/240 HP V-8 engine that would spin the Fury from 0-60 MPH in just 10 seconds. The day it debuted at the Chicago Auto Show, it ran the Flying Mile at Daytona at 124 MPH. The following month, equipped with two 4-barrel carburetors, it reached nearly 145 MPH.

Specially equipped throughout, Furys brought distinctive interiors, a noteworthy engine, revised chassis dynamics and the unique color scheme to the showroom and cost a healthy $2,866 base—about $650 more than a posh Belvedere. Buyers supported the Fury to the tune of 4,485 sold, enough to make Plymouth and Chrysler executives sit up and take notice. It also encouraged them to sustain production of the Fury package through 1958.

For 1959, Plymouths were restyled again and the Fury became a standalone brand, with the new Sport Fury as the top offering. Available as a coupe or convertible, the Sport Fury pressed Belvedere down a notch along with the Savoy, completely eliminating the Plaza. This 1959 Sport Fury Convertible presents as an exquisite example of Plymouth’s topline car and is extraordinarily well equipped.

Elegantly finished in blue, the upscale Plymouth is fitted with twin rear antennas, twin sideview mirrors, rocker molding trim and real wire wheels with wide whitewall radial tires. The interior is upholstered with blue-and-white, patterned cloth with turquoise vinyl, matching the exterior very well.

The lengthy roster of options continues with the 361 CI Golden Commando V-8 engine paired with an automatic transmission and a 4-barrel carburetor, a power convertible top, swivel bucket seats with a fold-down center armrest, a padded passenger-side dashboard, an in-dash clock, AM radio, power steering and power brakes.