Chrysler Valiant

The Chrysler Valiant was a of the Chrysler Australia Ltd.. 1962-1981 produced car of the middle class.

Originally it was the Chrysler Valiant to an unchanged takeover of 1959 introduced in the U.S. Plymouth Valiant. Later Chrysler Australia developed their own bodies, their own engines used and designed dedicated models. The Chrysler Valiant was marketed in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. With the takeover of Chrysler Australia by Mitsubishi in 1981, the Valiant-production is complete, which is already in the planning stages Model 1980, is said to have seen the American Dodge St. Regis similar, has been deleted.

Chrysler Australia in 1960 brought a U.S. Valiant for experimental purposes, to Australia. The main problem is the conversion to a mandatory right-hand drive turned out, because the six-cylinder was easily fitted tilted to the right.

The production model, the Chrysler Valiant R Series, was officially presented in January 1962 with the participation of the then Australian Prime Minister, and went soon after, mainly consisting of U.S. components in series.

The Valiant represented a good compromise between not too expansive dimensions and space and found on the Australian market immediately well received. The design of the feather Virgil Exner had by that time modern terms, but also a little playful, to the imitation spare tire cover in the trunk lid.

The first Chrysler Valiant was powered by a 145-hp version of the Chrysler Slant Six in-line six cylinder with 3.7 liters displacement. The competition from Holden and Ford at that time offered only 75 or 85hp. At gears were a manual three-speed transmission with shift lever means or the Chrysler TorqueFlite three-speed automatic available, which was operated by push buttons right on the dashboard.

The R-series was the first Australian car with three-phase alternator and feathered not have coil springs, torsion bars but over. Was slowed by hydraulically operated drum brakes.

The Chrysler Valiant cost 1229 Australian pound; in the two months in which the R-series was produced, ran 1008 copies of the tapes.

Already in March 1962 made Chrysler the R series which is only slightly modified S series follow. The changes were primarily cosmetic in nature; the pseudo-spare tire cover on the trunk lid made a chrome emblem with VALIANT lettering place, they departed before slanting, oval tail lights round units, the chrome strips were changed on the flanks and the grille received a coarser grid pattern.

From the series S until spring 1963 10.009 units were installed, of which 5496 and 4513 with automatic with manual transmission.

On 30 May 1963, the first Chrysler Valiant ran out of genuine Australian production of the band (R-and S-series were merely assembled with parts coming from the U.S. in Australia), the AP5. The AP in the model designation stood accordingly for Australian Production. Last year, Chrysler had started the construction of a particular for Valiant production plant in South Australia, which had an annual capacity of 50,000 cars.

The AP5 was a completely new design, which had in common with the American Valiant only six body panels. The body design was, the style of the time accordingly, edgier and simpler than its predecessors. The remote front fenders and tail fins indicated by R-and S-series belonged to the past.

In November 1963, a combi-AP5 added under the name Safari Valiant Valiant sedan, and the Valiant Regal appeared to be better equipped model variant.

The base model cost 1220 pounds, 35 pounds less than the old S. From AP5 caused a total of 49,400 copies.

In March 1965, the Valiant AP6 the series came on the market, the first Australian car it was (from August 1965), also with a V8, namely the 4.5-liter Plymouth. The machine made 180hp and gave the Valiant a top speed of 175km/h The V8, there was an additional charge only in the Valiant Regal models, which were now equipped with vinyl roof and two-tone steering wheel. The automatic was no longer snaps, but over a conventional lever on the steering column operated.

New to the AP6 the self-adjusting drum brakes and acrylic paints were also on enamel base – at that time the most advanced type of paint. The camshaft of the six-cylinder engine has been revised, what the torque increased.

Optical corresponded to the AP6 almost completely the previous AP5. Main difference was a split grille that was very similar to that of the U.S. Valiants of model year 1965. In addition, the decorative side edge ran on the front fender thinner. The chrome strips on the base model ran the decorative edges along and submitted at the stern to the side seam of the boot lid, the shelf it went, like its predecessor, the level of the door center.

As part of the series AP6 also appeared in the Wayfarer Pick-Up, the first Ute by Chrysler Australia.

Chrysler had problems to meet the strong demand for the AP6 Lord, as in the work per shift, only 200 cars were produced. Customers had to wait for their Valiant up to four months. The prices ranged 2500-3650 Australian dollars.

The Valiant Series VC was released in March 1966. Though he hardly differed from its predecessor in technical terms, he was wearing an entirely new, edgy body design in the style of the American Chrysler models. The car looked very modern and longer and flatter than its predecessor, though in truth he was no more than this.

The front featured a wider, easier holding grille, the rear end was square and now owned vertically arranged rear lights. The standard safety equipment has been expanded. From late 1966 front disc brakes were available for the V8 models surcharge.

Also, the VC was a four-door sedan, five-door Safari station wagon and as Wayfarer pick-up in the price lists. As before, there were basic models (only with six-cylinder) and the shelf. The versions with V8 corresponded in their equipment, although the shelf, but simply were called Valiant V8 V8 or Safari.

In 1966, took over Chrysler Australia within the group the task to provide all right-hand drive models (with the exception of South Africa) worldwide, and the VC Valiant was the first Australian Valiant, the you could buy in the UK; it was introduced in October 1966 at the London Motor Show. The model names in the UK differed from those in Australia from.

From Valiant Series VC 65 634 pieces were manufactured.

The presented in October 1967 Valiant VE series was completely new and shared individual body parts with the American Plymouth Valiant and the local Dodge Dart. He was even edgier than its predecessor, sat on a longer wheelbase and was longer and more spacious than the VC. The roof was designed flat, concave rear window.

The equipment has been further enriched with the VE. Motor end, the 3.7-liter inline six-cylinder with 145hp was supplemented by a version with dual carburetors, sharper camshaft and a revised exhaust, which made 160hp. Even the 4.5-liter V8 has been modified in some details.

Other improvements related to an enlarged 64-liter fuel tank, shorter shift travel on the manual gearbox, the relocation of the dip switch from the footwell to the dashboard and quieter running wipers. The security served dual circuit brakes with tandem master cylinder, safety rims with reinforced rims, front seat belts and front (with the V8 models) servo disc brakes.

The VE there were as previously available as a sedan, wagon and Ute, which shall include as a luxury version called VIP. The VIP had a luxuriously furnished interior and the standard 4.5-liter V8.

The Valiant VE won the first Chrysler awarded by the Australian magazine Wheels title "Car of the Year". The article about it is here:.

A total of 68 688 pieces were made from Valiant VE.

In March 1969, the introduction of the Valiant VF occurred. Like the step from AP6 VC also for the VF retained the basic shape of its predecessor, but was changed to front and rear. Striking innovation was the convex instead of concave-shaped grille. The front turn signals were sitting at an unusual position in the front edge of the fender, so the bumpers of VF could be made thinner and shorter, which in turn round headlights appeared larger and the entire front end looked more aggressive.

As before, there were base and shelf versions. New, however, was the Valiant Regal 770; also the VIP there was again, with even more extensive equipment. All VF received a padded dashboard and a collapsible steering column.

Under the hood is a 5.2 liter V8 replaced the previous 4.5-liter, six-cylinder was brought up to 175hp. The power transmission was still a three-speed gearbox or the TorqueFlite three-speed automatic.

Brand new was introduced with the VF two-door hardtop – an elegant design that was based on the American Dodge Dart. With a length of about 5 meters, it was the longest two-door car that was ever built in Australia. The hardtop combined the front end of the VF Cab rear of the U.S. Dodge Dart.

So far, Chrysler Australia had the youth market outside left before and offered no tailored to young people sporting models. This should change when Chrysler introduced the four-door mid-1969 Valiant Pacer as a sports variant. The Pacer offered for relatively little money Image and a high-performance six-cylinder together with three speed gearbox. Optical characteristics of the VF Pacer was the renunciation of chrome trim, grille in Red/Black, Sportradkappen that such Should look alloy wheels, special trim and Pacer 225 emblems (the number 225 referred to the engine displacement in cubic inches out) and a wide selection of bright colors. The sparsely furnished interior dominated sport seats, white instrument leaves with black markings and one on the dashboard sitting tachometer. Although the Pacer had the V8 power its Australian competitors, but was at least 180km/h fast and with $ 2798 more than 400 Dollars cheaper than a Holden Monaro GTS about. Was driven by the Pacer a highly compressed version of the proven 3.7-liter inline six-cylinder that came to 130 kW at 4500 rpm with dual carburetors. Was delayed for about four ribbed servo drum brakes, most customers but smart enough to order the extra duty front disc brakes. The suspension corresponded to the basic Valiant, but was placed 125 mm lower and had a front Stabilizer. For an additional charge there was a limited-slip differential with a ratio of 3,23:1 2,92:1 or. The Australian journals were full of praise for the Pacer; in the test sprinted the Pacer in a respectable 10.5 seconds from 0 to 100km/h and put the standing quarter mile in 17.5 seconds at a top speed of 178km/h back.

From Valiant VF series a total of 52 944 units were built; Chrysler reached in 1969 in Australia with a market share of 13.7%.

In August 1970, the introduction of the VG Valiant, a again slightly modified version of the VE-basic body was. Main distinguishing feature were the rectangular headlights instead of the traditional round units which were indicators, like the VF, integrated into the front edge of the fender. The grille was a little simpler than the VF and also at the rear you could make small differences compared to the predecessor of chrome trim and taillights. Again were offered sedan, station wagon, Ute and Hardtop in the trim levels as before.

The biggest innovation in the VG Valiant was the elimination of the time-tested Slant Six-line six-cylinder in favor of a new 4.0 L-series first molar (245 cubic inches) with hemispheric (according to factory) combustion chambers, so the machine was soon given the nickname Hemi.

This four-liter Hemi six-cylinder to deliver 165hp and came to a torque of 323 Nm.

The sporty Pacer sedan there again, but now with the new four-liter Hemi at different levels:

The Pacer Series VG gave it the first and last times and the body of the hardtop; from the hardtop with the E31 and E35 option three copies were made, the E34 was not the only option.

Since Chrysler’s philosophy was to use only Australian components and no domestic manufacturers could offer a suitable four-speed gearbox, the Pacer with a three-speed gearbox had to settle.

The Valiant Series VG was built a total of 46 374 times.

The Valiant Series VH Chrysler presented in June 1971., The new model had a completely new, larger body, the design of which was designed to look massive. The design of the front end of the VH with surrounding chrome edge and retracted grille and headlights found his role models in the then U.S. Chrysler models.

Available were sedan, hardtop, station wagon and Ute, to the new Charger.

Under the hood on did the Hemi-six their service, but on a larger and stronger form. The new Hemi engine was now 4.3 liters and made depending on the version up to 35hp more than the previous four liters. The basic version now came to 203hp.

The 5.2-liter V8 (318 cubic inches), there was still, in some models also have a 265-hp 5.9-liter V8 (360 cubic inch) available on request.

The Pacer was also available as VH, but again only as a four-door. From VH Pacer originated in 1647 pieces; Features were vibrant paint colors, black painted hood and black trim and a more powerful version of the 4.3-liter Hemi engine, which made 160 kW at 4800 rpm and 374 Nm at 3000 rpm. Thus, the Pacer came in 7.6 seconds to 100km/h and a top speed of 185km/h The Pacer was hence Australia’s fastest sedan with six-cylinder engine is, a record that would last 17 years. The days of the Pacer as a performance flagship of Chrysler Australia were counted, however, because with the VH presented the work Chrysler’s best-known car in front, the Valiant Charger.

The VH Charger, there were four versions: Base, XL, 770 and as an extra sporty R/T. Wheels measure for the Charger R/T E38 in version 14.8 seconds for the standing quarter mile and held a time of 14.5 seconds to readily possible.

The most popular high-performance Charger were the six-pack versions. Six-Pack was for the three Weber carbs, which were planted the Hemi engine and which provided unprecedented performance for its time with six cylinders.

The Charger R/T E38 had a 4.3-liter Hemi six-cylinder with 280hp; the E37 and E48 models presented the civilian Six-pack versions dar. 1972, the E38 was replaced by the more powerful and equipped with a four-speed gearbox Charger R/T E49. All E49 came with a so-called Track Pack package, 21 copies had to a 159 liter tank for long-distance race, which almost filled the entire trunk. Identified the engine of the E49 Sports exhaust, camshaft, connecting rod, piston, piston rings, crankshaft and valve springs in special design, this twin-disc clutch and of course the three 45R/T E38mm-Weber carbs. Chrysler gave the performance of this machine with 302R/T E38PS, and since the Charger with 1360R/T E38kg was relatively easy, she cared for brilliant acceleration. Typical times for the standing quarter mile were 14.1 to 14.5 seconds – that nearest Australian fast car, the Ford Falcon GTHO, came up from 15.2 to 15.6 seconds. From the Charger R/T E49 emerged only 149 copies, and he is in Australia as a muscle car legend.

During the six-pack models played the first violin in the VH Charger, but there was also an eight-cylinder Charger, which was quite good at forces; the E55 with its 275R/T E38PS strong 5.4 R/T E38l V8 (340 cubic inches) came in 7.2 seconds on 100R/T E38km/h, put the standing quarter mile in 15.5 seconds back and was up to 195R/T E38km/h. This version is very rare with 125 copies built.

In October 1971, the four-door sedan joined a two-door hardtop coupe, at its extended wheelbase.

From the series Valiant VH (including Charger and Chrysler by Chrysler) have been built 67,800 pieces in all variants.

In May 1973, Chrysler introduced the next-generation Valiant, the VJ. In this there was a VH with facelift that turned out so successful that the previous year with 90 865 pieces of the best-selling Valiant was total.

The rectangular headlights of the VG/VH made the classic round headlamps place that had possessed their predecessors. Between the headlights sat a revised grille with eight vertical bars. The sedans received new tail lights; the Charger and the station wagon remained unchanged.

Despite the small superficial differences, the VJ Valiant had numerous technical innovations, such as electronic ignition, improved rust protection and center crank. As of July 1974 also has front disc brakes, reflectors in the doors, lockable glove compartment and automatic seat belts were standard on all versions.

The previous year there was available as a sedan, station wagon, Ute, Hardtop and Charger, Pacer and Charger R/T, however, were removed from the program. An E48 Charger with Six-Pack engine but was still offered, and in the summer of 1973 about 6 VJ Charger were built in E49 version. Also the Charger E55 with a V8 engine remained available.

In August 1974, a limited edition of 500 special series of the Charger was launched, the Charger Sportsman. Features were the red custom paint with wide side trim in white and a white roof, red and white fabric seat covers, 4.3 R/T E38l-engine and four-speed transmission.

In October 1975, the Valiant Series VK came on the market, which saw extremely similar to the previous model, VJ. Not even the grille had changed, except that the plastic insert on some models gray or white, was carried out at another in black.

When the VK series Charger accounted for the name Valiant, he now was simply called Chrysler Charger.

The rear lights of the Ranger and Regal sedans and Charger were now identical; they were similar to the units on the VJ, but is devoid of chrome trim and were in favor, according to Mercedes-way ribbed to keep the lenses clean.

A new extra for the shelf was the Fuel Pacer option that measured the intake pressure and tell the driver when pointed out by small, seated on the front fenders lights that he spent just a lot of fuel.

Inside, the heater levers were changed and introduced a sitting on the steering column combination switch for lights and wipers. In the base model Ranger now included larger door panels and carpeting as standard.

The engines in the UK in line with those in the previous year, but all four-liter Hemi engines were given the dual carburetors the 4.3 R/T E38l engines. The eight-cylinder it remained 5.2-liter, the 5.9 liter was available for all models, but has not proved popular. The three-speed transmission with column shift, there was still, but was (except Ute) rarely ordered; the three-speed transmission with floor shift was no longer offered. A four-speed transmission with floor shift was for all models in the range, the V8 versions had standard automatic transmission.

Towards the end of the construction period laid Chrysler a limited edition of the Charger on the White Knight Special with a large front spoiler and some cosmetic extras. 200 copies of this model were built, 100 in Arctic White, 100 in Amaranthrot, 120 with automatic transmission and 80 with four-speed transmission.

From Valiant VK series ran until June 1976 20.555 copies from the tape. To July 1, 1976 occurred in Australia stricter emission standards in force, which many manufacturers took the occasion to introduce new model series.

In mid-1976, the Valiant Series CL, although it was built on the existing body appeared, but for the first time since the VH completely new front and rear sections received. New were the dual headlights and the radiator grille as well as remote, as amended, fenders and hood.

The basic model is no longer called Valiant Ranger, but simply Valiant, Chrysler by Chrysler replaced the set of the new Regal SE. The Charger there was still, he wore as the previous model, not Valiant Charger, but Chrysler Charger. From CL Charger but there was only one version, the Charger 770 Towards the end of the construction period, Chrysler produced again a Charger special model, the Charger Drifter. (A Charger XL was built on, but sold exclusively to the police.) was the New Panel Van, a Ute with a box structure, with the Chrysler corresponding offers from Holden and Ford wanted to stand up.

The interior of the CL was taken over by the UK, the Regal SE equipment was particularly abundant. For an additional charge leather covers were available. The basic model had to strip speedometer of the predecessor Ranger, the shelf sat round instruments including the clock in a patched with wood film dashboard. The dashboard of the Charger 770 corresponded to the execution on the shelf, but it was in black and had a tachometer instead of the clock.

Motor side, accounted for the small 3.5-liter Hemi six-cylinder and the 5.9-liter V8; thus remained in the program of the 4.0-liter Hemi (low or high compression), the 4.3-liter Hemi and the 5.2-liter V8. With gearbox, a three-or four-speed transmission and the three-speed automatic was a choice, each with gear lever on the steering wheel or between the seats. Most shelf and shelf all SE received the automatic with the selector lever means.

A limited to 400 special series, the shelf LeBaron, received some mechanical improvements, such as a thicker anti-roll bar on the front axle, making the car had a much better road holding. The LeBaron was only available in silver with red or blue interior and optional with the 4.3-liter Hemi or the 5.2-liter V8. In the latter provided with an electronic ignition control (Electronic Lean Burn) allegedly for consumption, in the cautious driving 25-30% less failed.

In addition, Chrysler launched a limited launched sports sedan called the GLX with Charger grille and dashboard, special fabric seat covers, alloy wheels and black anodized chrome trim around the windows. The GLX there were also with the 4,3 – or the 5.2 liter engine.

Finally, Chrysler offered the CL Charger Charger Drifter as limited to (Drifter special models, there were also at the Ute and Panel Van models). For $ 816 you (additional with copies in white trim on the trunk lid) received, among other things, special paint (orange, yellow, white or gold) and showy ornamental stripes on the sides. Again, the 4.3-liter Hemi and the 5.2 liter V8 were available, but only with four-speed transmission.

Vom-CL Valiant liefen 36,672 Exemplare vom Band.

The CM Valiant went into production in 1978 and differed little from the CL. The CM was available only as a sedan and station wagon.

Main advantage of the CM were the engines (4.0 – and 4.3-liter Hemi six-cylinder and 5.2-liter V8), which were strikingly economical thanks to the electronic lean-burn system. In the test, a journal published by a Valiant used the four-liter engine less than a Ford Cortina with two liters of displacement.

After Mitsubishi Chrysler Australia took over the production of the Valiant CM was meanwhile continued. Mitsubishi could make a profit with the Valiant even in small quantities, as the cost of the presses were amortized long ago. The car was also marketed under Mitsubishi as Director Chrysler Valiant.

The production of the Chrysler Valiant ended in August 1981 after 16,005 copies.

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Chrysler Valiant