Australian Muscle a Valiant Charger
If you have only just hit Aussie Motoring I should tell you that it comes to you from Hervey Bay - a town of about 50,000 people on the Queensland coast about 3.5 hours drive north of Brisbane.
For a town of such relatively small size we have a surprisingly large number of very interesting motor vehicles here in town. I’ve photographed and written about a few here already and there will be more to come but right now let me show you a nicely restored Valiant Charger I happened to see late this afternoon.
For our overseas visitors I should explain that all Valiant models were produced here in Australia by Chrysler. The first model rolled off the production line in 1971 and the last was produced in 1978. Some were definitely more muscle than others.
I’m certainly no expert on the Valiant Charger but I think this one is one of the more civilised CL models. If anyone can positively identify which model it is then feel free to mention it in the comments section.
The 1972 model Valiant Charger E49 sub-group is recognised as Australia’s fastes muscle car.
If you can find out more about the Valiant Charger at Valiant.org
December 15th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
This car is a VJ charger, the second evolution of this amazing muscle car. a truly underrated piece of australian engineering. the earlier charger R/T E49 was the fastest accelerating australian production car in australia for 27 years! its crown only to be taken by the HSV GTO
December 15th, 2006 at 7:49 pm
Thanks for your input Greg - I have to admit that back when these Valiants were popular I was more into Minis and Mazda coupes so I really wasn’t sure which model this Valiant is.
January 26th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
The valiant charger is a 1973 to 1975 model ether a VJ as Greg said or a Vk i am farly sure on, I have both a 1973 VJ and a 1975 VK Charger one of which (VJ) is currently being restored and modifiyed, The other has alot of rust and not sure whats happening with it, hope this helps out
Thanks
Doug
August 12th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
This is definitely a VJ, not a VK, as the VK had chrome surrounds around the front indicators. The VH-CM series Valiants were actually produced from 1971 to 1981. Valiants in other shapes were made here from 1961/2.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Nice snapshot mate this is my 1973 Valiant Charger Coupe 770 restored over a space of about 3 to 4 years in my garage in Torquay Hervey Bay!
Absolutely stoked to see an interest in my car what a great shot.
I still drive it around today and invested alot of time and dollars into it probably around 15 thousand NICE!!!!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
This is my brothers car and is an awsome machine!!! a lot of blood sweat and tears have gone into this car!!!!
Hot Car!
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Davy - thanks for the kind words. What can I say … that’s just a car that really catches your eye.
I think I’ve only seen it around town that once but I just happened to have my camera with me and I couldn’t let a chance like that go by.
If you’d like me to take a few more shots of it shoot me an email at stuart@aussiemotoring.com and I’ll arrange a time to call round with my camera.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:38 am
It’s about time Davy’s car got some recognition, restoring that Charger has delayed his trip to the UK for many years!
September 21st, 2008 at 7:45 am
Hope Davy s car gets even more recognition, dont ask me how i got to this site, but: what a nice car. thougt i know a lot about cars, but ive just learned about valiant in australia - i like the front better than the plymouths.
greetings from croatia!