JON GIFFIN | ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR

Jim Madison stands by his 1965 Plymouth Fury, the model that was voted the winner of Belvidere’s Best, a contest to judge the best vehicle to ever roll out of the Belvidere assembly plant. Madison bought his Fury seven years ago for $400 and plans to restore the car to its original condition.

Published: February 8, 2007

Business: Manufacturing


The Fury, featured in the move “Christine” and on TV shows including “Hill Street Blues,” was cited for its classic styling in an era of nostalgic automobiles.

“(The Fury) was one of last of the great American automobiles; it spanned the era of 35-cent gas and the good times found on old Route 66,” was one of the more than 400 comments included with the online votes.

Neon voters focused on the car’s surprising power and durability in an economical package.

“You can do anything with a Neon — good mileage, comfortable grandma car, 10-second dragster, road racer — anything.”

Supporters of the Plymouth Horizon and Dodge Omni cited its historical importance to Chrysler — it’s been called by some analysts the cars that saved the company in the 1970s — as well as its toughness.

“They ran like lions and purred like kittens.”

And good news for Chrysler’s 3,600 workers today, the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Patriot, two of the three models now being assembled in Belvidere, finished fourth and sixth on the list despite their young life spans. The Caliber’s reach, apparently, already is worldwide.

“OUTSTANDING CAR! Even here — in Moscow, Russia — I am waiting for my Dodge coming from your great country!”

JON GIFFIN | ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR Jim Madison stands by his 1965 Plymouth Fury which was voted the winner of Belvidere's Best a contest to judge the best vehicle to ever roll out of the Belvidere assembly plant. Madison bought his Fury for $400 seven years ago and plans to restore the car to its original state.

JON GIFFIN | ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR Jim Madison stands by his 1965 Plymouth Fury which was voted the winner of Belvidere's Best a contest to judge the best vehicle to ever roll out of the Belvidere assembly plant. Madison bought his Fury for $400 seven years ago and plans to restore the car to its original state.