Kim Belcastro

Car: 1975 VJ Valiant sedan 265 Hometown: Perth, WA

What is it? “It’s a 1975 VJ Valiant sedan 265 Hemi running a triple 52mm EFI Hardware throttle body setup, with alloy head, roller rockers roller cam, etc. through a VN SS Tremec 5-speed and a 3.89 LSD with discs brakes all round.” When did you buy it? “July 2017. It was an impulse buy. Originally I was negotiating with the seller, Mark, on behalf of a friend who was looking for a VH-VJ sedan to add to his collection of rather more exotic Italian cars (F40 Ferrari and a VJ Valiant sharing the same space!) but ultimately logistics of organising space for the car upon its arrival were not going to work out. So I called the seller back and purchased it for myself.” What do you know about its life? “I know very little about its history other than reading about the car via a build thread on an online Mopar forum. All credit for the build of the car belongs to its previous owner Mark Barun. Great work mate!” How does it go? “Car was dynoed at around 400bhp on an engine dyno; it is very torquey and pulls hard.” Anything you’d like to add? “I was struggling to find space to garage this car myself as I already have a CL Valiant wagon (which was Dad’s car and has been with me forever) and a numbers-matching VJ E48 6 Pack Charger which is undergoing a restoration and will be (fingers crossed!) completed by the end of 2018. The Charger was the first car I bought but I sold it five years later. Purchasing it again some 24 years later has given me the chance to reacquaint myself with the muscle car hobby. Have made a number of friends both in Perth via the Charger Club Of WA Inc and interstate via various forums and social media groups. So many people have been forthcoming with assistance and help over the last few years. I really appreciate all the good will. Have really enjoyed getting back behind the wheel of a hot Hemi 6 in recent months. When my Charger is finished and back home I will have a bigger issue finding space to garage three Valiants and a few Hot Hatches. Might be time for an extension!”