1978 to 1988 GRAND FURY THE SAME

CM360

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I'm looking for a 1982 Grand Fury for a special project(no not a cop car). Looking at early and later models they all look the same to me. Probably only interior/exterior trim packages? Any help?
 

AMC Diplomat

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There wasn't even a Gran Fury for 78 & 79
80 & 81 were R body
82 and up were M body. There are only minor differences in the M bodies from 82 to 89, most of those differences are in emissions and then safety.
 

AHBguru

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Appearance didn't change in any big way. In 1984, all retail cars got 15x7 rims. Colors changed in 1984, 1987, and 1988. Interior colors and material changed in 1984, 1985, and 1988. Radios changed in 1984, and mid-'88. Steering wheels changed in '84, '87, and mid '88. CMHSL began in 1986.

Mechanically:

'83 - E48 heads went from 587's to 345's, all slant sixes were ESC/EFC (US only), last year for 36RH, except taxis (AHV package from '84 up).

'84 - Production moved from Windsor to Fenton. Everything got altitude compensators. This wasn't an emissions requirement; I believe it was more of an attempt to mitigate vapor-lock. The 34RH/A999 was now standard behind the ELE. Some 2bbl police models were built with the 2.94 rear. Last year for Carter carbs (BBD and TQ).

'85 - 2bbl carb was Holley 6280, which was very much a BBD clone. 4bbl got the Quadrajet E4ME (17085433). Some of the EGR and bowl venting parts were updated.

'86 - the 32/34RH received an upgraded TC to reduce shudder. This was also the first time a semi-synthetic fluid was used (7176/Mopar ATF+). New combustion computers were used that helped both timing curves and fuel trims.

'87 - Production moved from Fenton to KAP Main in mid-'87 MY. Stainless exhaust used in all 3 models.

'88 - New alternators (Nip or Mopar) at 90 or 120a. New starters (Nip or Mopar), New starter relay and driver SRS for mid'88.

'89 - Last year for M-body (last day was Dec 21, '88). Most everything had the 8.25 rear, as they were using up remaining inventory. Retail cars still had the 2.26 ratio.
 

Ele115

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You say that you are looking for a 1982, but then it says " looking at early and later models". The 1982 would be only an early model. So you must have some special criteria for your special project, so start there and you may get better help. Such as how much you want to spend, what you need on the car etc. This is not typically a site overloaded with car for sale ads so if you are super specific as to what you need and your budget you may not get every last thing you want right away. There are a lot of places that have more cars for sale than this one. Try them all if this is a priority. And spell out more of what you have in mind and how much you have to spend.
 

CM360

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My main concern is the outside body/styling and whether its easy to tell the years apart. Hard to find an '82 that's not a rust bucket. The info supplied by AHBGURU is greatly appreciated.
 

AHBguru

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You say that you are looking for a 1982, but then it says " looking at early and later models". The 1982 would be only an early model. So you must have some special criteria for your special project, so start there and you may get better help. Such as how much you want to spend, what you need on the car etc. This is not typically a site overloaded with car for sale ads so if you are super specific as to what you need and your budget you may not get every last thing you want right away. There are a lot of places that have more cars for sale than this one. Try them all if this is a priority. And spell out more of what you have in mind and how much you have to spend.

Yes, and the fact is - it will be very hard to find anything that is "all original ", as so many of these cars have been hacked to hell and back. Anything that actually is all original (original carb, intake, ignition, paint, interior, etc) then it will likely have a laughably high price tag. Since the Fury was sold primarily as a fleet vehicle, they will be harder to find. That doesn't mean a higher price is justified, as the Fifth Ave was the luxury model. If you find an all-original Pursuit model (you won't), then the extra bucks make a little bit more sense, provided it's not stupid money. Right now there's a couple of '84s and an '89 near me that I just can't see anyone paying the kinds of prices that are being asked. Neither '84 is all original, and the '89 is very nice, but way overpriced. My understanding is that seller wants serious buyers only, but the car belongs in the Kenosha museum. Hard to get those guys to understand that.
 
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