Chrysler Valiant (RV1) | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Chrysler Australia |
Also called | Plymouth Valiant |
Production | January 1962 – March 1962 [1] |
Assembly | Australia: Tonsley Park [2] |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 4-door sedan [3] |
Layout | FR layout [4] |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 225 cu in (3.7 L) I6 [5] |
Transmission | 3-speed manual [3] 3-speed automatic [3] |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 106.5 inches (2705 mm) [6] |
Length | 183.7 in (4,666 mm) [6] |
Width | 70.4 in (1,788 mm) [6] |
Height | 55 in (1,397 mm) [6] |
Curb weight | 2,604 lb (1,181 kg) [6] |
Chronology | |
Successor | Chrysler Valiant (SV1) [1] |
The Chrysler Valiant (RV1) is an automobile which was produced in Australia from January 1962 to March 1962 by Chrysler Australia. [1] It was the first Australian Chrysler Valiant model. [1]
The Valiant RV1 (or Valiant R Series) [7] was launched in Australia in January 1962. [8] Completely knocked down (CKD) packs were imported from Windsor in Canada, bodies were painted at Chrysler Australia's Mile End facility and final assembly was undertaken at Tonsley Park. [2] The Australian model comprised a combination of US Valiant V100 base model and V200 deluxe model components. [9]
The Valiant RV1 was produced in two models: [1]
The RV1 was offered only in 4 door sedan form. The RV1 was marketed by Chrysler Australia as the "Valiant by Chrysler" rather than as the Chrysler Valiant. [10]
The RV1 was offered only with a 225-cubic-inch (3.7 L) capacity inline-six engine, [5] with a choice of three-speed manual transmission or optional three-speed TorqueFlight automatic transmission. [5] The engine was called the Slant Six, due to it being inclined to the right at an angle of 30 degrees. This apparently allowed for a lower bonnet line and also allow for the long intake manifold arms which were also a feature.
The manual transmission was a 3 speed floor shift, with a "curvy" style gearstick that wrapped abound the edge of the bench seat, and sat next to the drivers leg. It wasn't until the introduction of the S Series Valiant ( SV1) that the shifter moved to the steering column.
The automatic Chrysler Torqueflite transmission had an excellent reputation for service and smoothness. Gears were selected via pushbuttons which sat to the edge of the cars dash gauges. [11]
1,008 RV1s were produced by Chrysler Australia prior to its replacement by the Chrysler Valiant (SV1) in March 1962. [1] 672 of these were RV1-2 manual sedans and 336 were RV1-4 automatic sedans. [1]
The Chrysler Valiant was a full-size car which was sold by Chrysler Australia between 1962 and 1981. Initially a rebadged locally assembled Plymouth Valiant from the United States, from the second generation launched in 1963, the Valiant was fully manufactured in Australia. It was sold locally but also in New Zealand and South Africa, with smaller numbers also exported to South-East Asia and the United Kingdom.
The Chrysler Valiant Charger was a two-door hardtop coupe introduced by Chrysler Australia in 1971. It was a short wheelbase version of the concurrent Australian Chrysler Valiant sedan. Introduced within the VH Valiant series, it continued as a variant through the subsequent VJ, VK and CL series, until production ceased in 1978. It was marketed and badged as the Valiant Charger in the VH and VJ series and as the Chrysler Charger in the later VK and CL series.
Fiat Chrysler Australia, officially FCA Australia, is the official Stellantis subsidiary in that country, operating as distributor of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Fiat vehicles. However, there had previously been a "Chrysler Australia Ltd" which had operated as a vehicle manufacturer in Australia from 1951 until 1980, and was subsequently taken over by Mitsubishi Motors Australia.
The Chrysler Drifter is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1977 to 1978. It was offered in panel van and coupé utility body styles.
The Chrysler Royal is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1957 to 1963. After investing in tooling to stamp body panels for the 1954 P25 series Plymouth locally, and with Chrysler headquarters in Detroit unwilling to assist in the costs of retooling for the new US models, Chrysler Australia made the decision to develop their own range, using as much of the existing tooling as possible, whilst also realising that the new car had to appear as different as possible. The doors and basic structure of the P25 sedan was retained, and with input from Australian and American Chrysler designers, the 1955 US Plymouth front sheetmetal was adapted to the P25 body and the rear quarter panels redesigned. They also added a wraparound rear windscreen, which caused development problems with Pilkington Glass, the Australian suppliers, who struggled to get the correct curved shape.
The Dodge Phoenix is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1960 to 1972.
The Chrysler VIP is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1969 to 1971. It is an extended wheelbase, luxury variant of the Australian developed Chrysler Valiant.
The Chrysler AP5 Valiant is an automobile produced by Chrysler Australia from 1963 until 1965. It was the third Chrysler Valiant model to be produced in Australia.
The Chrysler Valiant (SV1) is an automobile which was produced in Australia from March 1962 to April 1963 by Chrysler Australia. It was the second Australian Chrysler Valiant model, replacing the RV1
The Chrysler VH Valiant is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia from June 1971 to March 1973. It replaced the VG series Valiant and was the first Valiant model to be a uniquely Australian design.
The Chrysler VJ Valiant is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1973 to 1975. It replaced the Chrysler VH Valiant and was a facelifted and revised version of that model. The VJ series Valiant was the tenth Chrysler Valiant model from Chrysler Australia.
The Chrysler VC Valiant is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1966 to 1967. It was released in March 1966, replacing the Chrysler AP6 Valiant. The VC was the fifth Chrysler Valiant model to be produced in Australia.
The Chrysler VE Valiant is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1967 to 1969. It was released in October 1967, replacing the Chrysler VC Valiant. The premium model in the range was renamed Valiant VIP due to the V8 engine becoming an option across the entire range.
The Chrysler VF Valiant is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1969 to 1970. It was released in March 1969, replacing the Chrysler VE Valiant.
The Chrysler CM Valiant is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1978 to 1980 and subsequently by Mitsubishi Australia from 1980 to 1981. It was a facelifted and revised version of the Chrysler CL Valiant, which it replaced. It was the last Australian Chrysler Valiant.
The Chrysler Valiant (CL) is an automobile which was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1976 to 1978. The CL, which was the twelfth Australian Chrysler Valiant model, replaced the Chrysler Valiant (VK). It was also built in South Africa by Sigma, who marketed it there as the Chrysler SE.
The Chrysler Valiant (VK) is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia from October 1975 to October 1976. It was the eleventh Australian produced Chrysler Valiant series.
The Chrysler Valiant AP6 is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1965 to 1966. It was the fourth Chrysler Valiant model produced in Australia.
The Chrysler Valiant (VG) is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1970 to 1971. It was the eighth Chrysler Valiant model to be produced in Australia.
The Chrysler by Chrysler is an automobile produced by Chrysler Australia from 1971 to 1976. It is an extended wheelbase, luxury variant of the Australian developed Chrysler Valiant.