10 Facts you may not have known about the AP-5 Valiant
Most commonly reported issues with the AP-5 Valiant
AP-5 Valiant service part numbers
AP-5 Valiant interior trim codes
The AP-5 Valiant was the third Chrysler Valiant to be sold in Australia. It was introduced in May of 1963. Cosmetically, it was a whole new car that looked completely different from the previous model. It holds the distinction of being the first Australian manufactured Valiant, the RV-1 and SV-1 Valiants were manufactured in the USA in parts, where they were shipped out to Australia and assembled.
Although the cars were manufactured in Australia, the engines were still manufactured in the USA. The 225 cubic inch slant six was carried over from the previous model but revisions were made to increase fuel efficiency without losing any power.
With the introduction of the AP-5 (AP stood for ‘Australian Production) the Valiant would begin to carve out a section of the Australian family car market for itself. Focus shifted to increasing the amount of local content in its cars in order to obtain funding and grants from the Australian government. This in turn would allow Chrysler to drop the prices of their cars and have an even more competitive model to go up against Holden and Ford with.
Styling of the AP-5 Valiant was seen as more conservative, which pleased some and disappointed others. As with anything styling related when it comes to cars, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some loved that the Valiant was something different to what else was available while others were after something more conventional with a bit of extra luxury and power. Nonetheless the AP-5 sold well.
The ‘Regal’ variant was introduced as a more upmarket model to compete with the Holden ‘Premier’ and the Ford Falcon ‘Futura’. It featured extra equipment as standard, most of it cosmetic and most of it in the interior. The ‘Safari’ wagon was also introduced with the AP-5 which boasted a large and very practical boot space. The AP-5 Valiant would be the first Valiant available as a body style other than a 4 door sedan.
Demand was outstripping supply to the point where there were waiting lists and a black market emerged where someone could go on the waiting list, pay one price for a new Valiant and go sell it to someone for a higher price than they just paid for it. Valiant responded by opening up a new production plant.
$36 million was invested in building a new manufacturing plant in Tonsley Park, South Australia. It would boast the capacity to manufacture 50 000 vehicles a year. It would open in March 1964.
The AP-5 Valiant would be replaced by the AP-6 in March 1965, after a production run of just under 50 000 cars.
10 Facts you may not have known about the AP-5 Valiant
Most commonly reported issues with the AP-5 Valiant
AP-5 Valiant service part numbers
AP-5 Valiant interior trim codes