Chrysler Valiant (VE)

Last updated

Chrysler VE Valiant
1968 Valiant VE Standard== (cropped).JPG
Chrysler Valiant sedan
Overview
Manufacturer Chrysler Australia
Also calledDodge utility [1]
ProductionOctober 1967 – February 1969 [1]
Assembly Tonsley Park, Australia
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan [1]
5-door station wagon [1]
2-door coupe utility [1]
Layout FR layout [1]
Powertrain
Engine 225 cu in (3.7 L) I6 [1]
273 cu in (4.5 L) V8 [1]
Transmission 3spd manual [1]
3spd automatic [1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 108.0 inches (2743 mm) (sedan) [1]
Length193.7 inches (4920 mm) (sedan) [1]
Width69.7 inches (1770 mm) (sedan) [1]
Height55.0 inches (1397 mm) (sedan) [1]
Curb weight 2950 lb (1338 kg) (sedan) [1]
Chronology
Predecessor Chrysler VC Valiant [1]
Successor Chrysler VF Valiant [1]

The Chrysler VE Valiant is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1967 to 1969. [1] It was released in October 1967, replacing the Chrysler VC Valiant. [1] The premium model in the range was renamed Valiant VIP due to the V8 engine becoming an option across the entire range.

Contents

Model range

The VE series Valiant was offered in 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon and 2-door coupe utility models. [1]

VE series Valiant and Valiant Wayfarer utility models were introduced in May 1968. [4]

Dodge utility

A variant of the Valiant utility was marketed as the Dodge utility. [5] (VE-E20) The Dodge was equipped with painted grille and bumpers [5] unlike the chromed examples fitted to VE Valiants.

Dodge VE utility Dodge Utility (VE).jpg
Dodge VE utility

Changes

The VE Valiant was larger than any previous Valiant model. [1] Styling was based on that of the US Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant models with no body panels carried over from the VC Valiant. While the styling from the A-pillar back was Australian-influenced, sheeting forward of the A-pillar and bonnet was that of the U.S. Dart/Valiant models with the exception of the grille which was convex on the Australian models as opposed to concave on the U.S. models. [6] Also new in the VE range were dual-line brakes, double-sided safety wheel rims, front safety belts and power-assisted front disc brakes on V8 models. [1] The Valiant VIP (four-door performance model) was offered for the first time, [1] the new model featuring the V8 engine, automatic transmission, power steering, front disc brakes and reclining front seats. [6]

Engines and transmissions

A 145 bhp 225 cu in (3.7 L) Straight-six, a 160 bhp 225 cu in (3.7 L) "High Performance" Straight-six and a 195 bhp 273 cu in (4.5 L) V8 engine were available, the VE being the first series to be offered with a choice of three engines. [1] Three speed manual and three-speed "Torque-Flite" automatic transmissions were offered. [1] The V8 engine and automatic transmission were standard on the VIP. [3]

Awards

Window sticker as fitted to VE Valiants after winning the 1968 Wheels Magazine Car of the Year award Chrysler VE Valiant - 1968 Wheels Car of the Year window sticker.jpg
Window sticker as fitted to VE Valiants after winning the 1968 Wheels Magazine Car of the Year award

The VE Valiant was announced as the winner of the Wheels magazine Car of the Year award in January 1968. [7]

Production and replacement

A total of 68,688 VE Valiants were built prior to its replacement by the VF Valiant range in March 1969. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Lancer</span> Cars marketed by Dodge division of Chrysler

The Dodge Lancer is an automobile that was marketed in three unrelated versions by Dodge during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1980s. The first version debuted as a hardtop version of the full-sized 1955 Dodge, and was produced in that form until 1959. The second version revived the nameplate in 1961 for a Chrysler A platform-based compact that was marketed for two model years and replaced by the Dodge Dart. The third version returned the Lancer nameplate in 1985 for a front-wheel drive mid-sized Chrysler H platform model that was in production until 1988 after which it was replaced by the Dodge Spirit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plymouth Valiant</span> Motor vehicle

The Plymouth Valiant is an automobile which was marketed by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation in the United States from the model years of 1960 through 1976. It was created to give the company an entry in the compact car market emerging in the late 1950s. The Valiant was also built and marketed, without the Plymouth brand, worldwide in countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as other countries in South America and Western Europe. It became well known for its excellent durability and reliability, and was one of Chrysler's best-selling automobiles during the 1960s and 1970s, helping to keep the company solvent during an economic downturn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Dart</span> Motor vehicle

The Dodge Dart is a line of large passenger cars produced by Dodge from the 1959 to 1976 model years in North America, with production extended to later years in various other markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Coronet</span> American car model sold 1949–1959, 1965–1976

The Dodge Coronet is an automobile that was marketed by Dodge in seven generations, and shared nameplates with the same bodyshell with varying levels of equipment installed. Introduced as a full-size car in 1949, it was the division's highest trim line and moved to the lowest level starting in 1955 through 1959. The name was reintroduced on intermediate-sized models from the 1965 until 1976 model years. Muscle car versions were available starting in 1965 with the 383 and 426 wedge cu in Chrysler RB engine, followed in 1966 by the powerful 426 cu in Chrysler Hemi. Other performance models included the "Superbee", and featured, the 383 cu in Magnum, among other engine options. The nameplate "coronet" is a type of crown worn by royalty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plymouth Fury</span> Motor vehicle

The Plymouth Fury is a model of automobile that was produced by Plymouth from 1955 until 1989. It was introduced for the 1956 model year as a sub-series of the Plymouth Belvedere, becoming a separate series one level above the contemporary Belvedere for 1959. The Fury was a full-size car from 1959 until 1961, then a mid-size car from 1962 until 1964, again, a full-size car from 1965 through 1974, and again, a mid-size car from 1975 through 1978. From 1975 until 1977, the Fury was sold alongside the full-size Plymouth Gran Fury. In 1978, the B-body Fury was the largest Plymouth, and by 1979, there was no large Plymouth. This product gap was filled in 1980 with the R-body Gran Fury, followed by the M-body Fury in 1982. Production of the last V8, RWD Plymouth Fury ended at the Kenosha Main assembly plant in Kenosha, WI, on December 23, 1988. Unlike its sibling brand, Dodge, Plymouth would not live to see the resurgence of the large, V8/RWD sedan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plymouth Suburban</span>

The Plymouth Suburban is a station wagon produced from 1949 until 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Royal (Australia)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler VIP</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant (AP5)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant (VH)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant (VJ)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant (VC)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant (VF)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant (CM)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant (CL)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant (VK)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant (AP6)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Valiant (VG)</span> Motor vehicle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler by Chrysler</span> Motor vehicle

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Elisabeth Tuckey and Ewan Kennedy, Chrysler Valiant, 1996, pages 47 to 57
  2. 1 2 3 4 Chrysler Australia sales brochure 5/6001015R for VE series Valiant & Valiant Regal sedans and wagons
  3. 1 2 3 Chrysler Australia sales brochure for VE series Valiant VIP sedans and wagons
  4. Glass's Dealers Guide, Passenger Vehicle Vales, South Australian and Northedrn Territory Edition, June 1973, page 115
  5. 1 2 Larry O'Toole, The Good Old Aussie Ute, 2000, page 199
  6. 1 2 Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 101
  7. Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, page 138