The Plymouth Valiant was an automobile manufactured by the Plymouth division of Chrysler Corporation in the United States from 1960 to 1976. It was created to give the company an entry in the compact car market which was emerging in the late 1950s. The vehicle was sold as the Chrysler Valiant in markets worldwide including Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, South America and Western Europe. Road & Track magazine considered the Valiant to be "one of the best all-around domestic cars."
1960–62
In May, 1957, Chrysler president Lester Lum "Tex" Colbert set up a committee to develop a competitor for the increasingly popular small imports. Virgil Exner, Chrysler's chief stylist, designed a car that was smaller and lighter than a full-size car without sacrificing passenger and luggage space.[1] The result was the Valiant which first appeared in Fall 1959 as its ownmarque and was advertised as the Valiant by Chrysler Corp. Starting in 1961, the Valiant was marketed in the US as a Plymouth model. The 1961-62 Dodge Lancer was essentially a rebadged Valiant with different trim and styling details. The Valiant was less radical in configuration than General Motors' compact Chevrolet Corvair, which had an air-cooled rear-mounted engine, but was considered more daring than the also-new Ford Falcon. The Falcon was totally conventional, while the Valiant boasted a radical design that continued Exner's Forward Look styling; many automotive publications of the time thought the Valiant's stying was European inspired. While the Valiant was all new, specific design elements tied it to other contemporary Chrysler products. Features such as the canted tailfins tipped with cat's-eye shaped tail lamps and the simulated spare tire pressing on the deck lid were thematically similar to those on the Imperial and the 300F. The Valiant also featured an all-new engine, the famous Slant-6, which had its inline cylinders canted 30° to one side. This allowed a lower hoodline, a shorter overall engine—the water pump was shifted laterally—and efficient, long-branch individual-runner intake and exhaust manifolds that benefited from Chrysler's pioneering work in tuned intakes. The cast-iron block Slant-6 gained a reputation for dependability as it was initially engineered as an aluminum block engine with a robust casing to make durable the less-dense but lightweight metal. Over 50,000 die-cast aluminum versions of the 225 in³ (3.7 L) engine were produced between late '61 and early '63. In fact, the 1960 Valiant exemplified Chrysler engineering's leadership in aluminum die-casting. While the aluminum Slant-6 engine block wouldn't make it to production until 1961, the Kokomo, Indiana foundry produced a number a aluminum parts for the 1960 model year including the oil pump, water pump, alternator, Hyper-Pak (see below) and standard production intake manifolds, Torqueflite A-904 automatic transmission case and extension, and numerous other small parts. The Valiant A-body platform utilized "unit-body" or "unibody" construction, not used by the Chrysler Corporation since the Airflow models of the 1930s, rather than "body-on-frame" construction. The front suspension consisted of unequal length control arms with torsion bars, while the rear suspension used a live axle supported by leaf springs. Chrysler used this design through the entire production life of the Valiant and other A-body models, with revisions to the suspension components themselves for the 1962, 1967, 1968, and 1973 models. Hyper-Pak
An all-aluminum Slant-6 engine with reproduction Hyper-Pak intake manifold
When equipped with the Hyper-Pak dealer tuning kit option, the Valiant was significantly faster and quicker than any of their competitors. As a result, it wasn't long before Valiants hit the race track. Dick Maxwell, a Chrysler engineer responsible for many of the Super Stock Mopars, recalls that "When NASCAR decided to run a compact road race in conjunction with the 1960 Daytona 500, all the factories got involved. We built a fleet of seven Hyper Pak Valiants with 148-hp 170-ci [Slant] sixes having a single four-barrel with ram manifold. It was a Plymouth runway. We finished first through seventh. Our cars were so fast, NASCAR never did that race again."[2] Indeed, after a repeat performance in 1961, NASCAR officials quietly cancelled the compact stock-car series. Design and mechanical revisionsThe first-generation Valiants, though sold in three model years, existed in four distinct configurations: early 1960, late 1960, 1961, and 1962. The base-model V100 cars received relatively minimal ornamentation. 1960
A 1960 Valiant deck lid with the spare-tire stamping
Early 1960 models, particularly the V200 highline cars, featured extensive brightwork and ornamentation. An 8" chrome spear atop each front fender, an inner reveal ring on the deck lid's spare tire stamping, a "V200" nameplate on the dashboard, and stainless steel windshield and backlight reveal mouldings were deleted from production — the latter replaced with less costly flexible mylar-faced plastic locking strips — in approximately January, 1960[3]. Early and late V200s had a continuous stainless steel moulding following the tailfin crease as it swept down in front of the rear wheel, then continuing forward along the lower break line in both doors and the front fender. The radiator grille was brite-dipped stamped aluminum, and a central grille badge doubled as the hood release. Script "Valiant" callouts were placed in the centre of the deck lid's spare-tire stamping and on each front fender. During the 1960 model year, there were also mechanical revisions to improve lubrication of the two rear connecting rods, voltage regulator function, cold starting and idling, acceleration, and to prevent breakage of the front and rear manifold mounting studs[4]. 1961For 1961, new 2-door models were released, but no changes were made to the 4-door sedan and wagon sheetmetal. The interior and exterior trim, particularly on the V200, were changed to provide model year identification, a mild form of planned obsolescence. The 1960 radiator grille stamping was carried over, but for 1961 it was painted with a pattern of black squares. The central grille ornament was still pulled from the bottom to release the hood, but it was now faced with an emblem having a white field with the blue-and-red stylized "V" Valiant logo, rather than 1960's red field with gold script "Valiant" callout. The side trim was changed; a 10" stainless spear was placed at the rear of each tailfin crease, a hockey stick-shaped trim was applied to the lower break line, and the front fender/door crease was capped with a long stainless spear. The tailfins were each topped with three transverse chrome strips, and a large horizontal emblem containing a round plastic "V200" callout was centred in the deck lid's spare-tire stamping. Matching round "V200" callouts were placed in round housings at the midpoint of the front fender spears. Inside the car, the instrument cluster was largely carried over, but 1960's black gauges with white callouts gave way to 1961's white gauges with black callouts. Mechanical revisions for 1961 included new carburetors, the availability of positive crankcase ventilation (which was newly mandated on cars sold in California), the availability of dealer-installed air conditioning, the relocation of the alternator from the left to the right side of the engine, and extensive revisions throughout most of the Valiant's systems and components[5]. Late in the 1961 model year, the larger 225 in³ Slant-6 engine became available in the Valiant, its use having been expanded earlier in the year from the larger Dodges and Plymouths to the Valiant-sized Dodge Lancer. 1962The 1962 model year saw an extensive facelift. The radiator grille was flattened and made shorter. The hood release was moved to a knob at the top of the grille frame. The central grille emblem was deleted, except on the top-line Signet 200 2-door hardtop model, which received a black-painted grille with a round central emblem incorporating the red-and-blue stylized "V" Valiant emblem. The Signet 200 had pleated, leather-like bucket seats, custom tailored interior trim, deep-pile carpeting, special trunk lid emblem, different headlamp frames and special side moldings; it was America's lowest-priced hardtop with bucket seats. 
A 1962 Valiant tail lamp
Fender and hood stampings were similar to the 1960-'61 items, but neither identical nor interchangeable. At the rear, the cat's-eye tail lamps were deleted. A wraparound stainless trim was applied to the tailfins, below which were placed round tail lamps set into stamped aluminum bezels. These occupied the space formerly available for optional reversing lamps, which for 1962 flanked the license plate below the rear bumper. The spare-tire stamping was eliminated from the deck lid, which was now a smooth stamping with a small central ridge at its trailing edge. On V200 deck lids, a large round emblem surrounded an oblong block-letter "VALIANT" callout on a black field. Similar block-letter/black-field callouts were placed on each front fender. On the Signet, the deck lid was adorned with a smaller round emblem surrounding the red-and-blue stylised-V Valiant logo. V200 side trim reverted to the 1960 concept, following the tailfin crease and lower body break crease. However, the 1962 trim was more massive and contained an oblong triple-window effect at the rear of the body break crease. On Signets, the front fenders had an open-centred double spear, connected at the front and back, within which was contained a secondary body paint colour. 
A 1962 Valiant instrument cluster, with transmission control pushbuttons on the left
The 1962 Valiant was given a completely new instrument cluster. Like that of the larger 1962 Plymouth models, the new Valiant cluster was highly regarded for its clean design and easy legibility. A large round speedometer was placed at the left of the cluster, with separate round gauges for fuel level, engine temperature, and charging system condition (amperes) in a row to the right of the speedometer. Automatic transmission pushbuttons were in a column at the left edge of the panel, and heater pushbuttons were in a column at the right edge. A new shallower-dish steering wheel was also introduced. Mechanical revisions for 1962 were extensive. The electrical system was extensively upgraded, with a new starter, new alternator, more fuses, and printed circuit boards rather than individual wires for the instrument cluster. Carburetors were improved again, the manual-transmission gearshift was moved from the floor to the steering column, there were new 45°-shear engine mounts replacing the previous vertical-shear items, exhaust systems were made of more corrosion-resistant materials, and axle ratios were altered for better fuel economy. Manual steering ratio was changed from 20:1 to 24:1, and both power and manual steering gearboxes were new, the latter now housed in aluminum rather than iron. Most of the front suspension components were redesigned, and it was claimed they needed lubrication only every 32,000 miles.[6] 1963–66
A 1963 Plymouth Valiant
The Valiant was totally reskinned for 1963 with a ½ in (13 mm) shorter wheelbase. With all of Exner's eccentric stylings dumped in favor of straight lines and square corners, the redesigned Valiant was offered as a 2-door sedan, hardtop or convertible (the latter with either a power or manually operated top), a 4-door sedan and a station wagon. The 1963 Valiant was much better received by the public with a a boost in sales totaling 225,056 models sold. [7][8] Building on a worldwide record sales success in 1963, the Valiant moved into 1964 with design changes giving better economy, reliability and performance. Changes in the 1964 Valiant included a restyled front end and vertical taillamps replacing the previous horizontal items. The new Chrysler-built A833 four-speed manual transmission was offered together with a Hurst shifter. Another new option was the Sure-Grip limited slip differential, which was touted as a bad-weather safety feature and also offered traction benefits in performance driving. The Valiant was extremely popular in the US, Canada, and numerous markets outside North America. Plymouth supported a successful team of Valiant two-door sedans in foreign rallies in 1964-1966. V8 engineIn mid-year 1964, Chrysler released an all-new 273 in³ (4.5 L) V8 engine as an option for the A-body compacts. This compact V8 engine, the first in Chrysler's LA engine range that would last until 2002, was specifically engineered to fit in the compact A-body engine compartment. With the 180 hp (134 kW) 273, the Valiant became the lowest-priced V-8 automobile in the world. For 1965, a hotter 235 hp (175 kW) version of the 273 called the Commando 273 was made available with 10.5:1 compression, a 4-barrel carburettor, solid tappets and other modifications. The Dodge Lancer, which had been almost identical to the Valiants of 1961–62, was replaced in 1963 by the Dart. The Dart was available in all the same body styles as the Valiant, except there was no Dodge equivalent of the Barracuda. All Darts used a larger, 111 in (2,819 mm) wheelbase, except for wagons which used the Valiant's 106 in wheelbase. 1967–73
A 1969 Plymouth Valiant Signet
The Valiant was completely redesigned for 1967 model year and the station wagons were dropped. The model range included 2- and 4-door sedans on a newly-lengthened 108 in (2743 mm) wheelbase. The Valiant was given new grillework and taillamps for 1968, 1969, and 1970, but changed little from the 1970 configuration for the 1971 and 1972 model years. Exterior and interior trim were slightly revised, and there were engineering changes for better driveability, improved soundproofing and decreased emissions, the latter in compliance with regulations mandated by the newly-created Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Beginning in 1971, a badge-engineered version of the 111 in wheelbase Dodge Dart Swinger called the Valiant Scamp was offered. This used the Dart Swinger 2-door hardtop body shell with Valiant front sheetmetal and dual taillamps carried over from the 1970 Dodge Dart. For 1973, all models were given a new grille and front bumpers able to withstand damage at a 5 mph (8 km/h) impact, as well as steel beams inside the doors to protect vehicle occupants in side-impact collisions as mandated by NHTSA. The door beams, the new bumpers and their impact-absorbing mounts, a rubber-booted telescoping system attached to the car's structure, added mass to the Valiant. At the same time, engines were being progressively detuned to comply with increasingly-stringent emissions regulations. Performance and economy suffered as a result. Through the early 1970s, the Valiant and Dart took a substantial piece of the American compact car market. These models also had considerable success in foreign markets. Worldwide, Chrysler affiliates and subsidiaries sold American- or Canadian-made Valiants from complete knock down kits, as well as locally-designed and engineered Valiants and Valiant-based vehicles incorporating a mix of North American and local design and components. 1974–76
In 1974, the 108" wheelbase variant of the A-body sedan was dropped, and the Valiant sedan became a rebadged Dart. The only differences between the Valiant and Dart were minor cosmetics. The 1973 Valiant grille and front sheetmetal were retained for 1974, but the front bumper's rubber guards became chrome. The US Federal 5 mph bumper standards were applied to rear bumpers for the 1974 models, adding even more weight to the Valiant. 1974 introduced the Valiant Brougham and its twin, the Dodge Dart Special Edition. Available in two- or four-door models, they were a compact luxury car meant as an attractive alternative to larger luxury cars following the 1973 oil crisis. The Brougham had generous chrome trim, a vinyl top, deep cut-pile carpeting, velour cloth upholstery, interior door padding, color-keyed or simulated wire wheel covers, and a special selection of paint and trim combinations. Much of the optional equipment on a regular Valiant became standard equipment on Brougham models such as power steering, power disc brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, electric rear window defroster and an AM/FM radio. Chrysler increased the displacement of its highest-performance small block V-8 engine from 340 in³ (5.6 L) to 360 in³ (5.9 L) for 1974. The 360 was rated at 245 hp and placed in the Duster 360 and its twin, the Dodge Dart Sport 360. However, both of these models gained nearly 150 pounds over 1971 models, largely due to the heavier bumpers, side-impact door beams, emission control equipment, and added soundproofing. Even with performance options such as the four-speed manual transmission, Hurst shifter and Sure-Grip differential with 3.55:1 axle ratio, 0-60 mph and quarter-mile times increased roughly two seconds compared to those for the 1970 Duster. Unfortunately, higher fuel prices and performance-car insurance surcharges deterred many buyers as the interest in high performance waned. With a slightly restyled grille, 1975 models were carry-overs from 1974 except that California and certain high-altitude models received catalytic converters and required unleaded gasoline. 1976 models were virtually identical to 1975s, but can be identified by amber park/turn signal lights; previous models used clear park/turn lenses with amber bulbs. In 1976, the Plymouth Volaré and Dodge Aspen F-body cars were introduced mid-year replacing the Valiant and Dart, respectively. Unfortunately, the F-body cars did not maintain their predecessors' reputation for quality and durability; in fact, they reversed it. The change hurt Chrysler's reputation and profitability, contributing to its near-bankruptcy in 1979-80. Derivative modelsBarracudaAutomotive trends in the early middle 1960s had all the US automakers looking at making compact sporty cars. The Valiant was a natural choice of basis for Chrysler's efforts in this direction.[2] Ford's Mustang gave this type of vehicle its common "pony car" moniker, but in fact Chrysler beat Ford to market by a fortnight[9] The following year, the fenders and taillamps that had been introduced on the 1964 Barracuda were used on the whole 1965 Valiant range except for the wagon, which got bespoke taillamps. The second-generation Barracuda, though still a 108 in wheelbase A-body sharing many components with the Valiant, was given Barracuda-specific styling and its own range of models including convertibles and fastback and notchback hardtops. Although the first and second generation Barracudas were heavily based on the contemporary Valiants, Plymouth wanted them perceived as a distinct models. Consequently, the "Valiant" chrome script that appeared on the 1964 model's trunk lid was deleted on the 1965 model in the US market. For 1966, the stylized red-and-blue Valiant "V" emblems were replaced on the Barracuda with a model-specific stylized fish logo. In other markets such as Canada and South Africa, where Valiant was a marque in its own right, the car remained known as Valiant Barracuda until the A-body Barracuda was discontinued after 1969. For 1970, the Barracuda lost all commonality with the Valiant as an all-new E-body Barracuda was produced. DusterPlymouth introduced a sporty new model for 1970: the 2-door fastback Plymouth Valiant Duster. The same technique that spawned the 1964 Barracuda was employed for the Duster. It was designed to use the same front end sheetmetal, running gear, and 108-inch wheelbase as the Valiant, but Plymouth's stylists gave the car an entirely new look by using a modified fastback configuration with radically-curved side glass having only half the curvature radius of conventional side glass. Though the 340 in³ (5.6 L) V8 engine with 10.5:1 compression, 275 hp (205 kW) and 340 lb•ft of torque had been available for special order in Valiants and Barracudas since 1968, the 340 was offered as a regular production option in the Duster 340, Plymouth's analogue to the Dodge Demon 340 and the Dodge Dart Swinger 340. An aggressive "shark tooth" grille was offered on the fastback Duster 340 and new-for-1971 Duster Twister models. The Twister was a "performance appearance package" produced in response to increasing premiums on muscle cars, many of which were calculated using the vehicle's power-to-weight ratio as an actuarial gauge. Despite the "dust whirl" side stripes and Twister decals, Rallye road wheels, dual racing mirrors, twin hood scoops, flat-black hood paint with strobe stripes, and plaid cloth-and-vinyl trim interior available in four colors, the biggest engine available was the 318 in³ (5.2 L) V8. International variantsCanada (1960-66)
1965 Canadian Valiant Custom 200 sedan, a typical "Plodge"
Chrysler Canada marketed the Valiant at Dodge and Plymouth dealers under a standalone "Valiant" marque. The Canadian 1960–62 Valiant was visually similar to its American counterpart except the badge on the trunk lid read "by Chrysler" instead of "Plymouth". Besides minor differences in interior and exterior trim, the alternator was an extra-cost option in Canada through 1962 while it was standard equipment in America. A carburetor anti-frost system, engine block heater, battery warmer, electric car interior heater and other cold-climate items were available as factory and/or dealer-installed options. Air conditioning, which was first offered in the US 1961 models, was not made available North of the border until 1966. Some Canadian-made Auto-Lite (now Prestolite) electrical components were used in lieu of the American-production Chrysler-built components. The Windsor, Ontario plant was the source for left- and right-hand-drive export Valiants as knock down kits. 
1965 Canadian Valiant Custom 200 dashboard, virtually identical to US 1965 Dodge Dart configuration
For 1963 and 1964, the Canadian Valiant used the US Dodge Dart body and 111 in. wheelbase with US Valiant front sheetmetal. For 1965, Chrysler Canada sold both the 106 in (2692 mm) wheelbase Valiant and the 111 in (2819 mm) wheelbase Dart, all badged as Valiants, and all with the Dart dashboard. For 1966, the shorter Valiant was dropped from the Canadian market, and all Valiants were rebadged US Darts. The Canadian Barracuda, badged as the Valiant Barracuda, was built in Canada in 1964 and 1965 but was imported for 1966. Like the Valiant, the Barracuda had no Plymouth markings. With the coming of the US-Canada Auto Pact of 1965, Chrysler could ship cars and parts both ways over the border and in 1967 the company began importing Plymouth Valiants and Dodge Darts from Detroit, as well as exporting Darts and Valiants from Windsor to the US. Australia (1963–81)
A 1971 Australian Valiant Charger R/T
From 1963 on, Chrysler Australia assembled Valiants at the Tonsley Park plant in Adelaide, Australia. These Valiants were built on the American A-body platform with many parts and components from local suppliers. With the Detroit headquarters half a world away, the Australian Valiants began differing from their US counterparts; the 1967 Valiant VE series four-door sedan had a different bodyshell, more similar to the U.S. Dodge Dart. The Valiant VE was embraced by the Australian motoring press with Wheels magazine naming it Car of the Year for 1967. The VF series of 1969 and the VG of 1970, the latter of which featured the introduction of the Hemi-6 and the discontinuation of the Slant-6, departed even further from its American cousins in both styling and performance. Unlike the U.S., Australia continued to produce a station wagon model called the Safari. From 1965 on, a pick-up version was produced called the Wayfarer utility or "ute", which was later sold in South Africa as the Rustler. Beginning in 1971 with the VH model, Chrysler Australia developed their entire lineup locally and introduced their own version of the Charger on the A-body platform under the Valiant marque. The CM model, released in 1979, was to be the final model as production ended in 1981 when the Tonsley Park plant was sold to Mitsubishi Motors Australia. References
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