The Chrysler Valiant Charger is a muscle car introduced by Chrysler Australia in 1971. It was a short wheelbase two door coupe based on the concurrent Australian Chrysler Valiant sedan. Introduced within the VH Valiant range of cars, it continued as a variant through the subsequent VJ, VK and CL series, until ceasing production in 1978.
The Charger was extraordinarily popular in Australia during the VH series and proved to be similarly so in New Zealand where they were assembled from imported kit components. The VH Valiant Charger achieved critical acclaim too, winning the 1971 Australian Wheels Car of the Year Award.
However, the very real 'muscle' persona of the Charger quickly faded through the VJ range of cars and was effectively neutered altogether by the time of the VK series release in 1975. During its seven years of production, the Charger carried many variations of essentially two basic powerplants, based around the Hemi 6 and versions of the V8 Chrysler LA engine.
1964 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S
Motor: Chrysler 273 V8, Roller Cam, Arias Pistions, 4 x 48mm Weber carbs on custom manifold, Crower conrods, steel crankshaft, custom extractors.
Gearbox: Chrysler 4 speed new process, with Hurst shifter.
Diff: Chrysler limited slip.
Suspension: Lowered with heavy duty shocks & sway bars. Torsion bar front, leaf spring rear.
Wheels: Performance, Superlite 6" x 15" with Yokohama Tyres
horsepower: Plenty
Class NB Lap Record Wakefield Park Clocked at 164MPH down conrod straight Bathurst
1971 Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III
GTHO Phase III
The Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III was a modified version the Falcon GT built in 1971 with a heavily modified engine, a 4 speed top-loader gearbox and Detroit locker 9" differential. It was also equipped with special brakes and handling package, plus a 36 US gal (136 L; 30 imp gal) fuel tank.
Winner of the 1971 Bathurst 500, driven by Allan Moffat, the Phase III has been described as "...simply one of the best cars in the world, a true GT that could take on Ferraris and Astons on their own terms..." by Sports Car World.
The GTHO's 351 Cleveland engine produced over 380 hp (283 kW) which, back in 1971, was grossly underrated to 300 hp (224 kW). Initial cars were equipped with an electrical rev limiter which came into effect at 6,150 rpm. With the rev limiter disabled, the engine was reputed to pull in excess of 7,000+ rpm, even in 4th gear. The "HO" portion of the name stood for "Handling Option", these options included bigger brakes, stiffer suspension, a front spoiler, a choice of 3 differentials and an optional close-ratio gearbox making the production GTHO very similar to the race version.
The Phase III was Australia's fastest four door production car for many years and in 1971 it won the Bathurst 500 motor race in the hands of Allan Moffat, however at the time the Chrysler Valiant E49 Charger held the Australian 1/4 mile record. In 1972 the 3.3 L (202) 6-cylinder LJ Torana GTR-XU1, driven by Peter Brock, defeated the GTHO to win Bathurst after brake problems and wet weather put paid to the GTHO challenge.
Value
The Phase III GTHO is in incredibly high demand with collectors and investors worldwide. Good examples have been sold for prices in excess of A$700,000. Due to this demand, a small production run, and 'fewer than 100 remaining there been a flow on effect into values of the lesser XW and other XY Falcons, particularly genuine GS and 'standard' GT models. Other models that have also benefited from the appreciation of the GTHO include the XA and XB GT hardtops, the earlier XW GTHO Phase 1 and 2 and the XC Cobra.
A Falcon XY GTHO Phase III was sold at by Bonhams & Goodmans at auction for A$683,650 in March 2007. The car had just 40,000 km on the clock. The buyer of the car said it will be garaged, and that it won't be driven, but that he will be "keeping it as an investment". The sale price set a new auction record for Australian muscle cars. Whilst in June 2007 another Phase III sold for A$750,000.
The Phase III GT is one of the few cars ever made that appreciated in value from the moment it left the dealership - even in 1975, four year old Phase IIIs were fetching prices equivalent to or higher than the on-road price of brand new XB GTs from Ford dealers.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after the type of small, maneuverable warship called corvette. Originally built in Flint, Michigan and St. Louis, Missouri, the Corvette is currently built in Bowling Green, Kentucky and is the official sports car of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The National Corvette Museum documents the car's worldwide history and hosts the annual event.
440 Charger re-build Part #1
Valiant Charger approaching completion after 3.5 years worth of rebuild.All bodywork ,painting,fabrication engine build etc (for better or worse) was done by myself including the painted graphics.
Valiant Charger at FOSC Bathurst 2010.mpg
One lap of Bathurst in a 1971 Valiant Charger.
got my time down to a 2.52
thanks to the Kanak brothers and CSVCA for their support
Driven their and driven home
Valiant Charger VJ 770 Coupe - 1973 Stroked 452
1973 Chrysler Valiant Charger 770 Coupe.VJ Series.
Custom built stroked 452 cubic inch 7.4 litre V8 developing around 425 bhp.Rebuilt 727 reverse pattern gearbox fitted with B&M Quick Silver gear shift.
Painted in Hemi Orange.Restored interior.Detailed and painted engine/bay. Charger R/T wing/rear quarter decals.Autogage Tachometer/shift light..Uprated suspension and brakes.Caltracs Traction Bar System.Limited slip differential.1 set or period slot mag alloys.1 set Mopar style Weld Racing Prostar alloys.
On sale in the UK with Retro Classic Car-www.retroclassiccar.com @ £11500
The Charger has now been sold but thanks for the favourable comments.
I will be posting a brace of Mustangs shortly-both 1971's- to have a listen to.A Mach 1 351 Ram-Air and a 302 Fastback-if you like the Charger you might appreciate the offerings from Ford too?
Hey Charger TV ads
Various Australian TV ads for the Chrysler Valiant and Charger. Who could resist the "Hey Charger" call? Watch for Graeme Blundell and Geoffrey Rush.
1974 Dodge Challenger Rallye Sport 340 Burnout
Just a small burnout in the Challenger. I am broke, and can't afford new tires! Still waiting to finish paint and she'll be on the road. Seems weak, only reving at about 2 grand.
VH Valiant Charger Build
Footage and images of the Charger build at X Customs. www.xcustoms.com.au - 1300 XCUSTOMS
