Chrysler Valiant
The Chrysler Valiant was a Chrysler Australia Ltd. Mid-range automobile produced from 1962 to 1981.
Originally, the Chrysler Valiant was an unchanged takeover of the Plymouth Valiant, which was introduced in the USA in 1959 . Chrysler Australia later developed its own bodies, used its own engines and designed its own model variants. 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 was terminated, the 1980 model, which was already being planned and which is said to have looked similar to the American Dodge St. Regis , was canceled.
Series in chronological order
| Chrysler | |
|---|---|
| Image does not exist |
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| Valiant | |
| Production period: | 1962 |
| Class : | Middle class |
| Body versions : | limousine |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 3.7 liters (107 kW) |
| Length: | 4666 mm |
| Width: | 1788 mm |
| Height: | 1399 mm |
| Wheelbase : | |
| Empty weight : | 1194 kg |
Series R (1962)
Chrysler Australia brought a US Valiant to Australia for testing purposes in 1960. The conversion to right-hand drive turned out to be difficult, as the in-line six-cylinder was installed at a slight angle to the right.
The production model, the Chrysler Valiant of the R series, was officially presented in January 1962 with the participation of the then Australian Prime Minister and soon afterwards, consisting mainly of American components, went into series production.
The Valiant was a good compromise between not too bulky dimensions and space and was immediately well received on the Australian market. The body designed by Virgil Exner looked modern, but also a bit playful, right down to the imitation spare wheel 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 engine with a displacement of 3.7 liters. The competitors Holden and Ford only offered 75 and 85 hp. A manual three-speed gearbox with a center shift lever or the Chrysler TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission were available, which were operated using pushbuttons on the right-hand side of the dashboard.
The R series was the first Australian car with a three-phase alternator and did not spring from coil springs, but from torsion bars . Hydraulic drum brakes were used to brake.
The Chrysler Valiant cost 1229 Australian pounds; In the two months in which the R-series was produced, 1008 copies rolled off the line.
Series S (1962/63)
As early as March 1962, Chrysler had the R Series followed by the S Series, which had only been slightly modified. The changes were mostly cosmetic; the pseudo spare wheel cover on the trunk lid made way for a chrome emblem with VALIANT lettering, the previously inclined, oval tail lights gave way to round units, the chrome strips on the flanks were changed and the grille was given a coarser grid pattern.
10,009 units of the S series had been assembled by spring 1963, 5496 of them with automatic and 4513 with manual transmission.
AP5 series (1963–1965)
On May 30, 1963, the first Chrysler Valiant from real Australian production rolled off the assembly line (the R and S series were only assembled in Australia with parts from the USA), the AP5. The AP in the model name accordingly stood for Australian Production . The previous year, Chrysler began building a Valiant production plant in South Australia with an annual capacity of 50,000 cars.
The AP5 was a completely new design that had only six body panels in common with the American Valiant. In keeping with the style of the time, the body design was more angular and simpler than that of its predecessors. The detached front fenders and indicated tail fins of the R and S series were a thing of the past.
In November 1963, an AP5 station wagon under the name Valiant Safari was added to the Valiant sedan, and the Valiant Regal appeared as a better-equipped model variant.
The base model cost £ 1,220, £ 35 less than the old S. The AP5 totaled 49,400 copies.
AP6 series (1965/66)
In March 1965 the Valiant of the AP6 series came on the market, the first Australian car that was also available with a V8 (from August 1965), namely the 4.5 liter from Plymouth. The machine developed 180 hp and gave the Valiant a top speed of 175 km / h. The V8 was only available for an extra charge in the Valiant shelf models, which were now also equipped with a vinyl roof and two-tone steering wheel. The automatic system was no longer operated via push buttons, but via a conventional selector lever on the steering column.
Also new to the AP6 were the self-adjusting drum brakes and enamel-based acrylic paints - the most advanced type of paint at the time. The camshaft of the six-cylinder was redesigned, which increased the torque.
Visually, the AP6 almost completely corresponded to its predecessor AP5. The main difference was a split grille, which was very similar to that of the US Valiants of the 1965 model year. In addition, the side edge on the front fender ran out thinner. The chrome strips on the base model ran along the decorative edges and reached at the rear up to the side joint of the trunk lid; on the shelf, like on the predecessor, they ran at the height of the middle of the door.
The Wayfarer pick-up , Chrysler Australia's first Ute , also appeared as part of the AP6 series .
Chrysler struggled to cope with the high demand for the AP6 as the plant could only produce 200 cars per shift. Customers had to wait up to four months for their Valiant. Prices ranged from A $ 2,500 to A $ 3,650.
VC series (1966/67)
The Valiant of the VC series appeared in March 1966. Although it hardly differed from its predecessor in technical terms, it had a completely new, angular body design in the style of the American Chrysler models. The car looked very modern and longer and flatter than its predecessor, although in truth it was no longer than this one.
The front featured a wider, simpler radiator grille, the rear was more angular and now had vertically arranged rear lights. The standard and safety equipment has been expanded. From the end of 1966, front disc brakes were available for the V8 models at an additional cost.
The VC was also on the price lists as a four-door sedan, five-door safari station wagon and as a wayfarer pick-up. As before, there were basic models (only with six-cylinder) and the shelf. The versions with V8 corresponded in their equipment to the shelf, but were simply called Valiant V8 or Safari V8.
From 1966, Chrysler Australia took over the task of providing all right-hand drive models worldwide (with the exception of South Africa) within the group, and the Valiant VC was the first Australian Valiant to be sold in the UK; it was introduced at the London Motor Show in October 1966. The model names in Great Britain differed from those in Australia.
65,634 units of the VC series Valiant were produced.
VE series (1967–1969)
The VE series Valiant presented in October 1967 was completely new and shared individual body parts with the American Plymouth Valiant and the local Dodge Dart . It was even more angular than its predecessor, sat on a longer wheelbase and was longer and more spacious than the VC. The roof was flatter, the rear window concave.
The equipment has been further enriched at VE. On the engine side, the 3.7-liter in-line six-cylinder with 145 hp was supplemented by a variant with double carburetors, sharper camshafts and a revised exhaust that developed 160 hp. The 4.5 l V8 was also changed in some details.
Further improvements included an enlarged 64-liter tank, shorter gearshifts on the manual gearbox, relocating the dimmer switch from the footwell to the dashboard and quieter running windscreen wipers. Two-circuit brakes with tandem master cylinders, safety rims with reinforced rims, front seat belts and (on the V8 models) front servo disc brakes were used for safety.
As before, the VE was available as a limousine, station wagon and Ute, as well as a luxury version called VIP . The VIP had a more luxuriously equipped interior and the 4.5-liter V8 as standard.
The Valiant VE was the first Chrysler to be awarded the title of "Car of the Year" by the Australian magazine Wheels.
A total of 68,688 pieces of the Valiant VE were produced.
VF series (1969/70)
In March 1969, Chrysler introduced the Valiant VF. As with the step from the AP6 to the VC, the VF also retained the basic shape of its predecessor, but was changed at the front and rear. The most noticeable innovation was the convex instead of concave radiator grille. The front turn signals were in an unusual position in the front edge of the fenders, so the bumpers of the VF could be made thinner and shorter, which in turn made the round headlights appear larger and the entire front section looked more aggressive.
As before, there were basic and shelf versions. The Valiant Regal 770 was new ; There was also the VIP again, with even more extensive equipment. All VF received a padded dashboard and a safety steering column.
Under the bonnet, a 5.2-liter V8 replaced the previous 4.5-liter, the six-cylinder was brought up to 129 kW (175 hp). The power continues to be transmitted by a three-speed gearbox or the TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission.
A two-door hardtop coupé introduced with the VF was completely new - a design based on the American Dodge Dart. At over 5 meters long, it was the longest two-door model ever built in Australia. Chrysler combined the hardtop with the front of the VF and the cabin and rear of the US Dodge Dart.
Pacer
So far, Chrysler Australia had left the youth market outside and did not offer any sporty models tailored to young people. That was to change when Chrysler introduced the four-door Valiant Pacer as a sport variant in mid-1969 . The Pacer offered a lot of image for relatively little money and a high-performance six-cylinder with a three-speed gearbox. External features of the VF-Pacer were the absence of chrome jewelry, a radiator grille in red / black, sports wheel caps that were supposed to look like aluminum wheels, special decorative stripes and Pacer 225 emblems (the number 225 indicated the cubic capacity in cubic inches) and a wide selection bright colors. The sparsely furnished interior was dominated by sports seats, white instrument panels with black markings and a rev counter on the dashboard. Although the Pacer lacked the V8 power of its Australian competitors, it was still 180 km / h fast and at 2798 dollars a good 400 dollars cheaper than a Holden Monaro GTS. The Pacer was powered by a higher-compression version of the tried-and-tested 3.7 l in-line six-cylinder engine, which came with a twin carburettor to 130 kW at 4500 rpm. The braking was done with power assistance via four ribbed drum brakes, but most customers were smart enough to order the front disc brakes, which were subject to a surcharge. The chassis corresponded to the basic Valiant, but the car was set 125 mm lower and had a front anti-roll bar. A limited-slip differential with an axle ratio of 3.23: 1 or 2.92: 1 was available for an extra charge. The Australian journals were full of praise for the Pacer; In the test, the Pacer sprinted from 0 to 100 km / h in 10.5 seconds and covered the quarter mile with a standing start in 17.5 seconds at a top speed of 178 km / h.
A total of 52,944 units of the VF series Valiant were produced; Chrysler achieved a market share of 13.7% in Australia in 1969.
VG series (1970/71)
In August 1970 the VG-Valiant was introduced, another slightly modified version of the VE basic body. The main distinguishing feature were the rectangular headlights instead of the traditional round units, the indicators were integrated into the front edge of the fenders, as in the VF. The radiator grille was a bit simpler than on the VF and at the rear you could also see small differences compared to the predecessor on the chrome strips and rear lights. Again, sedan, station wagon, Ute and hardtop were offered in the same equipment levels as before.
The biggest innovation on the VG-Valiant was the elimination of the tried and tested Slant Six in-line six-cylinder in favor of a new 4.0 l in-line six (245 cubic inches) with (according to the factory) hemispherical combustion chambers, which is why the machine was soon nicknamed Hemi.
This four-liter Hemi-six-cylinder developed 165 hp and had a torque of 323 Nm.
The sporty Pacer limousine was also back, but now with the new four-liter Hemi in different power levels:
- Basic Pacer with double carburetor, 185 hp
- Option E31: Two Barrel Track Pack double carburetor and manifold, increased bore (4.1 liter displacement), special camshaft, smaller fan, 195 hp
- Option E34: Four Barrel Track Pack quad carburetor and manifold, special camshaft, increased bore (4.1 liter displacement), vibration damper, twin disc clutch, manual choke, larger radiator, smaller fan, reinforced engine bearings, high pressure oil pump, 235 hp
- Option E35: like E34, plus reinforced connecting rod bearings, no performance information
The Pacer of the VG series was available for the first and last time with the body of the hardtop; of the hardtop with option E31 and E35, three copies were made each, option E34 was not given a single one.
Since Chrysler's philosophy was to use only Australian components and no local manufacturer could offer a suitable four-speed gearbox, the Pacer had to be content with a three-speed gearbox.
The VG series Valiant was built a total of 46,374 times.
VH series (1971–1973)
Chrysler presented the VH series Valiant in June 1971. The new model had a completely new, grown body, the design of which was intended to appear massive. The design of the front section of the VH with all-round chrome edge and retracted grille and headlights found its inspiration in the American Chrysler models of the time.
Sedan, hardtop coupé, station wagon and Ute were available, plus the new Charger.
Under the bonnet, the Hemi in-line six-cylinder engines continued to do their job, albeit in an enlarged and stronger form. The new Hemi engine was now 4.3 liters and, depending on the version, made up to 35 hp more than the previous four liters. The basic version now came to 203 hp.
The 5.2 l V8 (318 cubic inches) continued to exist, with some models also offering a 265 hp 5.9 l V8 (360 cubic inches) on request.
VH Pacer
The Pacer was also available as a VH, but again only as a four-door. 1647 pieces of the VH-Pacer were made; Features were vivid paint colors, black painted bonnet and black trim and a more powerful version of the 4.3 liter Hemi engine that developed 160 kW at 4800 rpm and 374 Nm at 3000 rpm. The Pacer reached 100 km / h in 7.6 seconds and reached a top speed of 185 km / h. The Pacer was Australia's fastest sedan with a six-cylinder engine, a record that would last for 17 years. The days of the Pacer as the performance flagship of Chrysler Australia were numbered, however, because with the VH, the Chrysler plant presented what is probably Chrysler's most famous car, the Valiant Charger .
| Chrysler | |
|---|---|
 |
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| VH Valiant Charger | |
| Production period: | 1971-1973 |
| Class : | Middle class |
| Body versions : | Coupe |
| Engines: |
Petrol engines : 3.5–5.4 liters (121–222 kW) |
| Length: | 4570 mm |
| Width: | 1880 mm |
| Height: | 1370 mm |
| Wheelbase : | |
| Empty weight : | 1327 kg |
| successor | VJ Charger |
Valiant Charger
Main article: Chrysler Valiant Charger The
Valiant Charger was a hatchback coupe on the shortened platform of the Valiant sedan. The Charger was voted "Car of the Year" in 1971 by Wheels magazine and, thanks to its successful shape, was very popular with the press and customers.
The VH-Charger was available in four versions: Basic, XL, 770 and as an extra sporty R / T. Wheels measured 14.8 seconds for the standing quarter mile for the Charger R / T in the E38 version and considered a time of 14.5 seconds to be easily possible.
The best-known high-performance chargers were the six-pack versions. Six-Pack stood for the three Weber twin carburetors that were attached to the Hemi engine and which provided unheard-of performance for six-cylinder engines at the time.
The Charger R / T E38 had a 4.3 liter Hemi six-cylinder with 280 hp; the E37 and E48 versions represented the civilian six-pack versions. In 1972 the E38 was replaced by the more powerful Charger R / T E49 equipped with a four-speed gearbox . All E49s were delivered with a so-called Track Pack package, 21 of which had a 159 liter tank for long-distance races that filled almost the entire trunk. The engine of the E49 featured sports exhaust, camshaft, connecting rods, pistons, piston rings, crankshaft and valve springs in a special design, as well as two-disc clutch and of course the three 45R / T E38mm Weber double carburettors. Chrysler stated the performance of this machine as 302R / T E38PS, and since the Charger with 1360R / T E38kg was relatively light, it provided brilliant acceleration. Typical times for the standing quarter mile were between 14.1 and 14.5 seconds - the next fastest Australian car, the Ford Falcon GTHO, achieved 15.2 to 15.6 seconds. Only 149 examples of the Charger R / T E49 were made, and it is considered a muscle car legend in Australia .
While the six-pack models played first fiddle with the VH chargers, there was also an eight-cylinder charger that was quite strong; the E55 with its 275R / T E38PS strong 5.4R / T E38l-V8 (340 cubic inches) reached 100R / T E38km / h in 7.2 seconds, covered the standing quarter mile in 15.5 seconds and was up to 195R / T E38km / h fast. With 125 units built, this version is also very rare.
CH / Chrysler by Chrysler series
Main article: Chrysler by Chrysler
As part of the Valiant VH series, a new luxury model was also introduced as the successor to the Chrysler VIP , the so-called Chrysler by Chrysler of the CH series. This model was based on the platform of the VH, which was extended by 10R / T E38cm (wheelbase 292 instead of 282R / T E38cm) and measured exactly five meters in length. Features were the modified front with double headlights, a modified rear section and a richer equipment. With this model Chrysler aimed at the luxury models of the domestic competition, namely the Holden Statesman and Caprice and the Ford Fairlane and LTD .
In October 1971, the four-door sedan was joined by a two-door hardtop coupe on its extended wheelbase.
67,800 units of the VH series Valiant were built in all variants (including Charger and Chrysler by Chrysler).
VJ series (1973–1975)
In May 1973 Chrysler introduced the next generation of Valiant, the VJ. This was a VH with a facelift, which turned out so well that the VJ was the best-selling Valiant overall with 90,865 units.
The rectangular headlights of the VG / VH made way for the classic round headlights that their predecessors had possessed. Between the headlights was a modified radiator grille with eight vertical bars. The sedans received new rear lights; they remained unchanged for the Charger and station wagons.
Despite the minor external differences, the VJ-Valiant featured numerous technical innovations, such as electronic ignition, improved rust protection and a center gear lever. From July 1974, front disc brakes, reflectors in the doors, lockable glove box and automatic seat belts were standard in all versions.
The VJ was available as a sedan, station wagon, Ute, hardtop and Charger, Pacer and Charger R / T were taken out of the range. An E48 Charger with a six-pack engine was still offered, and in the summer of 1973 around 6 E49-version VJ chargers were built. The Charger E55 with a V8 engine also remained available.
In August 1974 a special series of the Charger, the Charger Sportsman, was launched, limited to 500 pieces. Features were the special red paintwork with wide side stripes in white and white roof, red and white fabric seat covers, 4.3R / T E38l engine and four-speed gearbox.
VK series (1975/76)
In October 1975 the Valiant of the VK series came on the market, which looked very similar to the previous model VJ. Not even the radiator grille had been changed, apart from the fact that the plastic insert was gray or white on some models and black on others.
The VK series charger was not called Valiant, it was now simply called Chrysler Charger.
The taillights of the Ranger and Regal sedans and the Charger were now identical; They were similar to the units on the VJ, but lacked the chrome trim and were instead, Mercedes-style, ribbed to keep the glasses clean.
A new extra for the shelf was the fuel pacer option, which measured the negative pressure in the intake tract and, if necessary, indicated to the driver via small lights on the front fenders that he was using a lot of fuel.
In the interior, the heating levers were changed and a combination switch for lighting and windshield wipers was introduced on the steering column. In the basic Ranger model, larger door panels and carpeting were now part of the standard equipment.
The engines of the VK corresponded to those in the VJ, but all four-liter Hemi engines received the double carburetors of the 4.3R / T E38l engines. With the eight-cylinder it remained at the 5.2-liter, the 5.9-liter was available for all models, but proved to be less popular. The three-speed gearbox with steering wheel shifting still existed, but was rarely ordered (except in the Ute); the three-speed transmission with center shift was no longer offered. A four-speed gearbox with center shift was available for all models, the V8 versions had automatic as standard.
Towards the end of the construction period, Chrysler launched a limited special series of the Charger, 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 amaranth red, 120 with automatic and 80 with four-speed gearbox.
By June 1976, 20,555 units of the VK series Valiant had rolled off the production line. On July 1, 1976, stricter emissions standards came into force in Australia, which many manufacturers took as an opportunity to introduce new model series.
CL series (1976–1978)
In the middle of 1976 the Valiant of the CL series appeared, which was based on the previous body, but for the first time since the VH was given completely new front and rear sections. The double headlights and the offset radiator grille as well as the correspondingly modified fenders and bonnet were new.
The basic model was no longer called Valiant Ranger, but simply Valiant, the discontinued Chrysler by Chrysler was replaced by the new Regal SE. The Charger still existed; as with the previous model, it was not a Valiant Charger, but a Chrysler Charger. There was only one version of the CL-Charger, the Charger 770. Towards the end of the construction period, Chrysler again produced a special Charger model, the Charger Drifter. (A Charger XL was built, but only sold to the police.) New was the Panel Van, a Ute with a box-shaped structure, with which Chrysler wanted to compete with corresponding offers from Holden and Ford.
The interior of the CL was taken over from the VK, with the Regal SE being particularly lavish. Leather covers were available for a surcharge. The basic model had the tape speedometer of its predecessor, the Ranger, with round instruments including a clock on a dashboard covered with wooden foil on the shelf. The dashboard of the Charger 770 corresponded to the version on the shelf, but was kept in black and had a tachometer instead of the clock.
On the engine side, the small 3.5-liter Hemi six-cylinder and the 5.9-liter V8 were omitted; The 4.0 l Hemi (with low or high compression), the 4.3 l Hemi and the 5.2 l V8 remained in the program. A three- or four-speed gearbox and a three-speed automatic were available for the transmissions, each with a shift lever or selector lever on the steering wheel or between the seats. Most of the Regal and all of the Regal SE received automatic transmission with a center selector lever.
A special series limited to 400 pieces, the Regal LeBaron, received some mechanical improvements, such as a thicker anti-roll bar on the front axle, which gave the car much better road holding. The LeBaron was only available in silver with a red or blue interior and optionally with the 4.3 l Hemi or the 5.2 l V8. In the latter, an electronic ignition control ( Electronic Lean Burn ) ensured consumption that was allegedly 25-30% lower when driving cautiously.
Chrysler also launched a limited edition sports sedan called the GLX with a Charger grille and dashboard, special fabric seat covers, aluminum rims and black anodized chrome strips around the windows. The GLX was also available with a 4.3 or 5.2 liter engine.
Finally, Chrysler also offered the CL-Charger as a limited Charger Drifter (Drifter special models were also available for the Ute and Panel Van models). For $ 816 you got, among other things, special paint (orange, yellow, white or gold) and eye-catching decorative stripes on the sides (with copies in white additional decorative stripes on the trunk lid). The 4.3-liter Hemi and the 5.2-liter V8 were also available here, but only with a four-speed gearbox.
36,672 of the CL-Valiant rolled off the production line.
| Chrysler | |
|---|---|
 |
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| CM Valiant shelf V8 | |
| Production period: | 1978-1981 |
| Class : | Middle class |
| Body versions : | limousine |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 5.2 liters (148 hp) |
| Length: | 5017 mm |
| Width: | 1894 mm |
| Height: | 1407 mm |
| Wheelbase : | |
| Empty weight : | 1652 kg |
| Previous model | CL Valiant shelf |
CM series (1978–1981)
The CM-Valiant went into production in 1978 and hardly differed from the CL. The CM was only available as a sedan and station wagon.
The main advantage of the CM were the engines (4.0 and 4.3 l Hemi six-cylinder and 5.2 l V8), which were noticeably economical thanks to the electronic lean burn system. In the test of a trade journal, a Valiant with the four-liter engine consumed less than a Ford Cortina with two liters of displacement.
After Mitsubishi took over Chrysler Australia, the production of the Valiant CM was continued for the time being. Mitsubishi was able to make a profit with the Valiant even with small quantities, as the costs for the presses had long been amortized. The car was also marketed under Mitsubishi as Chrysler Valiant.
Production of the Chrysler Valiant ended in August 1981 after 16,005 copies.
swell
- Tony Davis: The Valiant Book. A History of Chrysler Australia's Valiant 1962-1981 . Marque Publishing Company, Hurstville 1987. ISBN 0-947079-00-9
- Tony Davis: Spotlight on Chrysler Valiant: The 1960s. From RV-1 to VG . Marque Publishing Company, Hustville 1994, ISBN 0-947079-50-5 .
- Tony Davis: Spotlight on Chrysler Valiant: The 1970s. From VH to CM. Marque Publishing Company, Hustville 1994, ISBN 0-947079-46-7 .
Web links
- 1962valiants.com, English
- Hemi6pack.com - Australia's Chrysler Community Online
- Fastlane.com.au (Trevor Hedge) (English)
- History of the Chrysler Valiant at Fastlane.com.au (English)
- Australia Valiants
- Hey Charger (English)
- Charger Club Of WA (English)
- Information on Charger Motorsport, English
- Allpar.com, English
- Moparstyle.net (Darren Witte, English)
- Unique Cars & Parts Australia, English
- To the E55 Charger, English
Footnotes
- ↑ Road Test - Valiant VE (Wheels Car of the Year 1967) ( English ) Charger Club Of WA INC. Archived from the original on July 11, 2001. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
- ↑ The unusual name helped, such as "Little Red Riding Hood," a strong red and a play on words with the English name of Little Red Riding Hood , Little Red Riding Hood .
- ^ Modern Motor , May 1969