What is the Chrysler Valiant?
The Chrysler Valiant was a full‑size automobile sold by Chrysler Australia between 1962 and 1981. Initially based on the Plymouth Valiant from the United States, it evolved into a uniquely Australian series of vehicles with its own engines, trims, and performance variants.
The Chrysler Valiant originated from the United States and was sold in Australia from 1962 (Manufactured from 1963) until 1981. It was a full-size car, some 565 338 models were produced in Australia.
Best known today for its Charger model and its Hemi 6 engines, most are no longer on the road nowadays however many live on as weekend drivers and project cars.
Known in its time for being more powerful, spacious and luxurious than its equivalent Holden and Ford offerings (and yes, more expensive) they still enjoy a strong following and fan base to this day.
Chrysler Valiant Specifications Overview
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Engine Options: Included the smooth Slant‑6, powerful Hemi‑6, and later V8 engines, delivering anywhere from 145 bhp to 275 bhp depending on the model and series.
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Transmission: Available with 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, and 3-speed automatic gearboxes, giving drivers flexible performance and cruising options.
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Body Styles: Sedans, wagons, coupes, utility vehicles (utes), and the sporty Charger coupe.
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Chassis & Suspension: Rear-wheel drive with independent front suspension and robust rear leaf springs, designed to handle Australia’s diverse roads.
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Brakes & Safety: Early adoption of front disc brakes on higher trims, energy-absorbing steering columns, and improved safety features.
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Dimensions: Valiants offered roomy interiors with generous legroom and luggage space, making them ideal family cars while retaining sporty variants for performance enthusiasts.
Explore detailed specs for each model series using the navigation down the page
Interesting Chrysler Valiant Facts
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Australian Engineering Triumph: Chrysler Australia adapted the Valiant from its American counterpart but introduced significant changes for local conditions, including stronger suspension and improved cooling systems to handle harsh Australian roads and climate.
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VE Valiant: Wheels Car of the Year: The 1967 VE Valiant won the prestigious Wheels magazine Car of the Year award, praised for its modern styling, spacious interior, and reliable six-cylinder Hemi engine. It marked a turning point in Australian car design.
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Legendary Hemi‑6 Engine: Introduced in the mid-1960s, the Hemi‑6 engine became a performance icon, delivering up to 275 bhp in the six-cylinder “High Performance” variants while maintaining smoothness and fuel efficiency. It helped Valiant models achieve impressive acceleration for their size.
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Performance Variants – Charger and Pacer: The Valiant series wasn’t just about family cars. Models like the Valiant Charger R/T and Pacer offered sporty styling, enhanced handling, and powerful Hemi‑6 engines, cementing Chrysler’s reputation in Australian muscle car history.
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Innovation and Safety: Valiants were among the first Australian cars to feature radial tyres as standard, energy-absorbing steering columns, and improved disc brakes on higher trims—showing Chrysler’s early commitment to driver safety.
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Collector’s Dream: Certain limited editions, like the Chrysler Valiant Regal 770 and rare VE Charger variants, are now highly sought-after by collectors, with some models fetching six-figure prices at auctions.
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Long-Lasting Legacy: The Valiant remained in production from 1962 to 1981, evolving across ten-plus series and influencing Australian automotive design trends, making it one of the most enduring and iconic cars in Australia’s motoring history.
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Detailed Model Information
Follow the links below to access full model pages with specifications, photos and historical context: