Chrysler Valiant (VF)
Chrysler VF Valiant | |
---|---|
![]() Chrysler Valiant Regal sedan | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Chrysler Australia |
Also called | Dodge utility[1] |
Production | March 1969 – February 1970[2] |
Assembly | Tonsley Park, Australia |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 4-door sedan[2] 2-door hardtop[2] 5-door station wagon[2] 2-door coupe utility[2] |
Layout | FR layout[2] |
Related | Chrysler VF VIP |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 225 cu in (3.7 L) slant-6[2] 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8[2] |
Transmission | 3 speed manual[2] 3 speed automatic[2] |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 108.0 inches (2743 mm) (sedan)[2] 111 inches (2819 mm) (Hardtop) |
Length | 192.3 inches (4885 mm) (sedan)[2] |
Width | 69.7 inches (1770 mm) (sedan)[2] |
Height | 55.0 inches (1397 mm) (sedan)[2] |
Curb weight | 2950 lb (1338 kg) (sedan)[2] |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Chrysler VE Valiant |
Successor | Chrysler VG Valiant |
The Chrysler VF Valiant is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1969 to 1970.[2] It was released in March 1969, replacing the Chrysler VE Valiant.[2]
Changes
[edit]The VF Valiant was a facelifted version of the VE Valiant, featuring four new quarter panels, new lights and a new grille.[3] Parking and Turn signal lights were now mounted above the headlights.[3] Seating, safety features and soundproofing were improved,[4] Pacer and Regal 770 models were new and a hardtop body style was offered for the first time.[4]
The hardtop combined the VF Valiant front, from the A-pillar forward, with the rear of the US Dodge Dart.[3] This included the Dart floorpan with its 111-inch wheelbase.[3]
Coupe utilities retained the rear styling of the previous VE series with only the front styling revised.
Model range
[edit]The VF series Valiant was offered in 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop, 5-door station wagon and 2-door coupe utility models.[2]
- Valiant sedan[2] (VF-M41)
- Valiant hardtop[2] (VF-M23)
- Valiant Safari wagon[2] (VF-M45)
- Valiant Pacer sedan[2] (VF-S41)
- Valiant Regal sedan[2] (VF-H41)
- Valiant Regal hardtop[2] (VF-H23)
- Valiant Regal Safari wagon[2] (VF- H45)
- Valiant Regal 770 sedan[2] (VF-H41 shared with Regal)
- Valiant Regal 770 hardtop[2] (VF-H23 shared with Regal)
- Valiant utility[2] (VF-L20)
- Valiant Wayfarer utility[2] (VF-M20)
The hardtop models were introduced in September 1969.[3] There were also 20 Pacer station wagons built. These show up in production records as model code VF-S45.[5]
- Chrysler VF Valiant sedan
- Chrysler VF Valiant sedan
- Chrysler VF Valiant hardtop
- Chrysler VF Valiant hardtop (later model hubcaps)
- Chrysler VF Valiant Pacer sedan
- Chrysler VF Valiant Regal Hardtop
- Chrysler VF Valiant Regal Safari wagon
- Chrysler VF Valiant Regal Safari wagon
- Chrysler VF Valiant Regal 770 sedan
- Chrysler VF Valiant Regal 770 hardtop
- Chrysler VF Valiant Regal 770 Hardtop
- Chrysler VF Valiant Wayfarer utility
- Chrysler VF Valiant Wayfarer utility
Dodge utility
[edit]A heavy duty variant[6] of the Valiant utility was marketed under the Dodge name.[1] (VF-E20)
- Dodge VF utility
Engines and transmissions
[edit]Five engines were offered in the VF Valiant range.[2]
- 145 bhp 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-six
- 160 bhp 225 cu in (3.7 L) "High Performance" Slant-six
- 175 bhp 225 cu in (3.7 L) "High Compression" Slant-six
- 210 bhp 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8[2]
- 230 bhp 318 cu in (5.2 L) "Fireball" V8[2]
The “High Compression” six was fitted to the Pacer and was not available in other models.[2] The "Fireball" V8 was standard on Regal 770 models.[2]
Two transmissions were available.[2]
Chrysler VF VIP
[edit]In May 1969 Chrysler Australia released the VF series Chrysler VIP[7] (VF-P41). The VIP had a 112-inch (2850 mm) wheelbase, which was 4 inches longer than that of the Valiant sedan.[2] The VIP was visually differentiated with a four headlight grille, unique tail-lights and a “limousine” rear window.[2] The car was badged and marketed as the “VIP by Chrysler”,[7] unlike the VE model, which was a Chrysler Valiant VIP.[2] The VIP station wagon was no longer offered.
- Chrysler VF VIP sedan
- Chrysler VF VIP sedan (non standard wheels)
Production and replacement
[edit]A total of 52,933 VF series models, including 3,721 VIPs, were built[8] prior to its replacement by the VG Valiant in March 1970.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Larry O'Toole, The God Old Aussie Ute, 2000, page 200
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao Elisabeth Tuckey & Ewan Kennedy, Chrysler Valiant, 1996
- ^ a b c d e Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, pages 139 to 142
- ^ a b Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 106
- ^ Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, The History of Chrysler in Australia 1946-1981, page 409
- ^ Valiant VF Technical Specifications, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 21 July 2013
- ^ a b Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, pages 235 to 236
- ^ Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, page 415
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