Chrysler Valiant (VF)

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Chrysler VF Valiant
1969 Chrysler Valiant (VF) Regal sedan (17825652163) (cropped).jpg
Chrysler Valiant Regal sedan
Overview
Manufacturer Chrysler Australia
Also calledDodge utility [1]
ProductionMarch 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)
Length192.3 inches (4885 mm) (sedan) [2]
Width69.7 inches (1770 mm) (sedan) [2]
Height55.0 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]

Contents

Changes

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

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

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]

Dodge utility

A heavy duty variant [6] of the Valiant utility was marketed under the Dodge name. [1] (VF-E20)

Engines and transmissions

Five engines were offered in the VF Valiant range. [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

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.

Production and replacement

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

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References

  1. 1 2 Larry O'Toole, The God Old Aussie Ute, 2000, page 200
  2. 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 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Elisabeth Tuckey & Ewan Kennedy, Chrysler Valiant, 1996
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, pages 139 to 142
  4. 1 2 Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 106
  5. Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, The History of Chrysler in Australia 1946-1981, page 409
  6. Valiant VF Technical Specifications, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 21 July 2013
  7. 1 2 Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, pages 235 to 236
  8. Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, page 415