The Verdict is in... Sweet Ride!
Judge Gene Fierro is a sitting Trial Judge in Miami, Forida.
Here's what he has to say about his car: "The Judge's 59 Plymouth Sport
Fury was built at the Michigan Plant on July 24, 1959, a month after he graduated
Miami Beach Senior High."
"Historically considered Chrysler's First Muscle Car,
the Judge's was delivered to Gate City Motors in Greensboro, NC on 8/1/59.
The original purchase was $3,128 and came with a factory V-8 361 CI 395 GOLDEN
COMMANDO, 4bbl carb, Factory High Performance Cam Shaft generating 305 HP."
"The factory AC was fairly rare as were the 'bumper
wings.' It's painted the factory DuPont red, has swivel seats with factory
anodized thread seats and of course has 'the toilet seat.' It weighs 3,670
lbs and is 17 3/4 feet long. The Judge has themed it 'Christine' and reminds
everyone that the original Christine was a 58 Belvedere with Fury trim. It
recently won the 'Gold' at the MOPAR NATIONALS held in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Great car to cruise South Beach, FL but I'll let you be the 'judge of that'..."
"A little history for you - the 59 Plymouth Fury was
introduced here in Miami at two locations: JORDAN MARSH DEPT. Store on their
boat dock on Biscayne Bay (Moon over Miami theme) the store is now defunct.
It was a high-end dept. store in the 50's through the 70's but fell to the
competition. The other was at HIALEAH RACETRACK (out of business two years
ago after being the country's most elegant track since the 40's- it lost it's
attractive race dates to it's competitor Gulfstream Park and to politics).The
sign in front of my car has the original newspaper adv. from the racetrack
as a background showing a red 59 conv at the starting gate with the horses.
I have the original adv. and was able to duplicate it for my sign."
"The 1958 issue of HOTROD magazine tested a 1959 318
and 395 Golden Commando at the air force base in Miami (closed in the 70's).
It raved about the 'muscle' - Chrysler was only too happy to use that term
(Hence 'Chrysler's First Muscle Car')."
Gene and his '59 Sport Fury just won at the Ocean Reef Show
in Key Largo (25 miles south of Miami). Here are some pictures from the show,
as well as some other recent pix.
Recently the Judge sold his Sport Fury to Karl Karlson of Iceland. We hope
to receive new pix from Karl soon. Bye Judge! We'll miss you...
