Chrysler Valiant (VF)

Chrysler VF Valiant
Chrysler Valiant Regal sedan
Overview
ManufacturerChrysler Australia
Also calledDodge utility[1]
ProductionMarch 1969 – February 1970[2]
AssemblyTonsley Park, Australia
Body and chassis
Body style4-door sedan[2]
2-door hardtop[2]
5-door station wagon[2]
2-door coupe utility[2]
LayoutFR layout[2]
RelatedChrysler VF VIP
Powertrain
Engine225 cu in (3.7 L) slant-6[2]
318 cu in (5.2 L) V8[2]
Transmission3 speed manual[2]
3 speed automatic[2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase108.0 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 weight2950 lb (1338 kg) (sedan)[2]
Chronology
PredecessorChrysler VE Valiant
SuccessorChrysler 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 sedan
    Chrysler VF Valiant sedan
  • Chrysler VF Valiant hardtop
    Chrysler VF Valiant hardtop
  • Chrysler VF Valiant hardtop (later model hubcaps)
    Chrysler VF Valiant hardtop (later model hubcaps)
  • Chrysler VF Valiant Pacer sedan
    Chrysler VF Valiant Pacer sedan
  • Chrysler VF Valiant Regal Hardtop
    Chrysler VF Valiant Regal Hardtop
  • Chrysler VF Valiant Regal Safari wagon
    Chrysler VF Valiant Regal Safari wagon
  • Chrysler VF Valiant Regal Safari wagon
    Chrysler VF Valiant Regal Safari wagon
  • Chrysler VF Valiant Regal 770 sedan
    Chrysler VF Valiant Regal 770 sedan
  • Chrysler VF Valiant Regal 770 hardtop
    Chrysler VF Valiant Regal 770 hardtop
  • Chrysler VF Valiant Regal 770 Hardtop
    Chrysler VF Valiant Regal 770 Hardtop
  • Chrysler VF Valiant Wayfarer utility
    Chrysler VF Valiant Wayfarer utility
  • 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
    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]

  • Three speed manual[2]
  • Three speed "Torqueflite" automatic[2]

Chrysler VF VIP

[edit]
Main article: Chrysler 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.

  • Chrysler VF VIP sedan
    Chrysler VF VIP sedan
  • Chrysler VF VIP sedan (non standard wheels)
    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]
  1. ^ a b Larry O'Toole, The God Old Aussie Ute, 2000, page 200
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ a b c d e Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, pages 139 to 142
  4. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, pages 235 to 236
  8. ^ Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, page 415
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