Valiant Spotters Guide

After the Plymouth Valiant turned out to be a success in the United States (starting with its 1959 introduction), Chrysler released Australia's first locally-assembled Valiant, the RV1 (R-series). It was officially unveiled by South Australia's Premier, Sir Thomas Playford, in January 1962[citation needed] and was assembled at Chrysler's Mile End facility.

The R-series Valiant was an instant success. Not everyone was taken instantly by the car's styling, but the general consensus[vague] was that the car had a modern, almost space age quality about it.

Also notable was the Valiant's performance with 145 brake horsepower (108 kW) from the 225 slant-6 engine. This was a lot of power compared to the competing Holdens and Fords, which offered only 75 bhp (56 kW) and 85 bhp (63 kW) respectively.

Transmission options were a floor-shifted three-speed manual with a non-syncro first gear, or the pushbutton-operated three-speed TorqueFlite automatic. Options included a heater-demister unit, as well as a "Moparmatic" deluxe pushbutton transistor radio.

The R-series Valiant was the first Australian car to come with an alternator instead of a generator, and instead of coil springs, the Valiant came with torsion bar suspension. Brakes were hydraulic 9 in (229 mm) drums front and rear. The R-model had a simulated spare wheel outline on the bootlid, but the spare wheel was actually under the floor of the boot.

The base model sold for £1299.

Contents

Holden Cars
Falcon Cars
Valiant Cars
Buick Cars & Trucks
Chevrolet Cars & Trucks
Chrysler Cars & Trucks
Dodge Cars & Trucks
Ford Cars & Trucks
GMC Cars & Trucks
International Cars & Trucks
Oldsmobile Cars & Trucks
Plymouth Cars & Trucks
Pontiac Cars & Trucks
Studebaker Cars & Trucks
Willys Cars & Trucks

Other HRDU Sites

Hot Rod Events
Hot Rod History
Hot Rod Hall of Fame
Hot Rod Magazines
Hot Rod Books
Hot Rod Tech
Hot Rod Tours
Kustoms
Memorabilia
Show Rods
Land Speed Australia
Land Speed America
LSR History
LSR Historians

More HRDU Sites

All About 1934 Chev's
48-53 Chev Pickup's
History of the Corvette
Prototypes
Car Spotters Guide
Monaro Shrine
Aussie Utes
Wheelstanders
Scallops
Slopers

About

About Hot Rods Down Under
Contact Us
Copyright
Disclaimer
Terms and Conditions
Privacy
Site Map

Hot Rods Down Under
Movies
Music
TV
Calendar
Links
Home