![]() ![]() Although it did not generate such a stark contrast with the outgoing S Series, Australian management was concerned that it would not offer enough boot space for its premium local family car positioning. The 1963 US Valiant was a transition model with sloping bootlid, small fins, curved rear window and separate grille. His replacement, ex-Ford man Elwood Engel, had been charged with making Chryslers look more mainstream and simpler to build. Virgil Exner, responsible for the wild and adventurous look of Chryslers up to that point, had been dismissed. ![]() There were at least four different wagon tail light styles depending on when and where the rear sections were sourced.Īfter Australians were wooed by the striking styling of the R and S Series Valiants, the first Australian model, the 1963 AP5, was a huge let down. ![]() Its standard rear dust reflectors, luggage rack and powerful V8 for towing reflected a steady if slightly less glamorous market. ![]() The new AP6 styling and the AP7/VC facelift that followed were both unusually glamorous after Australian designers were given the go-ahead to go it alone and distinguish the local Valiant further from its rivals.įully-equipped local wagons were the top of the prestige tree and the AP6 Valiant V8 wagon was equivalent to a top-shelf Land Cruiser V8 in the family getaway stakes. Its 273/4.5-litre V8 engine was also state of the art reflecting the latest developments in thin wall casting that slashed engine weight to within 22kg of the six.īecause Chrysler Australia took advantage of the V8’s shorter engine length and moved it to the back of the engine bay, the handling balance was not compromised. Unlike the big and heavy US V8 models that came before it, the new Valiant V8 was unusually light and agile and the perfect size to exploit its extra performance on narrow Australian roads. In just over two years, local top-shelf motoring went from the 2.3-litre 75bhp/56kW Holden EJ Premier to the ground-shifting 4.5-litre 180bhp/134kW AP6 Valiant V8. For 1965, this car represented an unbelievable lifting of the bar despite its hefty price.Įven if the August 1965 launch of Australia’s first compact V8 family car didn’t set off fireworks around the country, it should have. Classy local AP6 styling was at its best at Valiant V8 level with its tasteful exterior upgrades and standard vinyl roof. ![]()
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