Chargers & Testers
The Chrysler Valiant was a compact car introduced by Chrysler Australia in 1962 with production ceasing in 1981. Initially a rebadged import of the Plymouth Valiant from the U.S. more...
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where production ceased in 1976, the Valiant range was sold throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as South Africa.
The R and S models, and Valiant Charger have cult status in Australia (with clubs in every state) and New Zealand.
From fully imported to local design
The first model was the R Series (model RV-1), which was imported in small numbers in 1962. This was quickly replaced by the S Series (SV-1). These models both had Slant-6 225 in³ (3.7 L) engines, and were available with a pushbutton-operated TorqueFlite automatic or 3-speed manual transmission (floor-shifted on the R, column-shifted on the S). Both the R and the S used the instrument binnacle from the US 1961 Plymouth Valiant.
Buoyed by early sales success, Chrysler Australia continued to produce Valiants in Australia generally following the development of the American Valiant through the 1960s with mild facelifts of American models. Models were increasingly localised and grew more Australian. Chrysler Australia had become increasingly dissatified with the American car's styling direction, which was becoming more box-like leading to the all-Australian VH Valiant series, released in 1971 and given periodic cosmetic updates until the demise of the Valiant range after 1981.
Between 1975 and 1978 the French Simca/Talbot 180 was also imported and sold as the Valiant Centura. In addition to the original imported 2 litre 4 cylinder French engine it was available with the Australian made 3.5 litre and 4.0 litre hemi six.
Australian designed models
The VH model included the short wheelbase Valiant Charger coupe, the Hemi 6 (some versions producing up to 225 kW/302 hp) proved to be an initial success story, and for a time proved to be the fastest-accelerating car built in Australia. Its best sales, however, were noticeably in New Zealand, where the car was assembled locally by Todd Motors. The combination of the powerful engine, lighter body and shorter wheelbase were more suited to New Zealand's windy and more mountainous roads. Other motors used included 318 ci, 340 ci and 360ci wersions of the V8 Chrysler LA engines, (the 340 ci was only used in the Charger). The Valiant Charger VH model won the 1971 Wheels Car of the Year Award. The Valiant Charger muscle cars were:
VH model: R/T E37, E38, E49 (six cylinder), S/E E55 (340 cubic inch V8);
VJ model: R/T E48 & E49 & 770 E55.;
Additionally to the short- and medium-wheelbase (respectively coupé and sedan) were two long wheelbase derivatives. The sedan, called the Chrysler by Chrysler with the coupé known as the Chrysler Hardtop. The Australian models featured swoopier bodywork than their American counterparts. The Hardtop was avialable as a VH Hardtop, with regular VH sheetmetal, or the CH with front and rear from the Chrysler by Chrysler. The Hardtop ceased after the VJ series. To this day, it holds the record for the longest boot ever in and Australian Built car.
Read more at Wikipedia.org
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