V Series
1969 saw the introduction of the VF, with a new grille, lights, dash and optional air-conditioning. The VF range included the first hardtop. This was the longest coupe ever made in Australia, at nearly 17 feet long! The VF range brought the arrival of the first performance-oriented Valiant, the Pacer with a 225 slant-six producing 175 hp.
The VG series brought new power (but not a new look) in 1970. Its new, Australian engine used hemispherical ("Hemi") heads in a 245 cubic inch in-line six, a two-barrel carburetor, and a higher lift cam. The Pacer had a more powerful version of the same engine. The VG could run the quarter mile in 16.4 seconds; the Pacer, with a four-barrel carburetor, could do it in under 16. Sales were slow, probably due to the conservative body; the performance was beyond much of the competition.
VH Hardtop
The long wheelbase coupe in the VH and VJ series were loaded up with luxury items unseen in Australian made cars. The 2 door hardtop had an enormous trunk. They were introduced as a replacement for Chrysler Australia's previous "top-of-the-range" offering, the Dodge Phoenix, which was imported to Australia as a CKD (Complete Knock Down) kit, and assembled in Australia (using a variety of Australian Valiant parts). Only 910 VH Valiant Hardtops were produced. The VJ Valiant Hardtop only achieved total sales of some 1060 units.
Work on the powerful 245 was originally started in 1966 for American trucks, but it was never used (or finished) in the US! Chrysler never sought to use Australian ideas in the US, where the 265 Hemi Six-pack would have been the first of the really hot sixes.
VJ Hardtop
C Series
Chrysler Australia released the VH range in 1971. It was a major change from the preceding VG range - larger cars, which were styled to look even larger than they were. The VG was a based the US "A" body platform, but the VH was wider and longer. This model range also saw the introduction of the new limousine class vehicles, the "CH" range. The V in VH is for Valiant, and the C in CH is for Chrysler.
The CH Hardtop was a further 4 inches longer in the wheelbase than the VH Valiant Hardtop. It received a different front and rear end treatment, and had higher equipment levels.
The 2 door version of the CH had the same wheelbase as the Chrysler by Chrysler sedan, and shared the front and rear end treatment. Only 480 Chrysler Hardtops were built.
CH Hardtop
Interested in obtaining a Valiant Hardtop?
With such low production numbers these were a collectable the day they came down the production line. Unfortunately the later models were not all that popular and a lot have been destroyed over the years. Finding a good one isn't always easy. Start your search now. Click here for more info.
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