VALIANT CHARGER VH-VJ
HERO CARS COST A BOMB BUT THERE’S STILL VALUE OUT THERE
It now seems incredible, but when this, the second major series of Charger was being built, the model line-up was going through something of a crisis.
For reasons which don’t entirely make sense from the safe distance of time, Chrysler management seemed to have lost its nerve and began cutting back on development money for the Charger program as it progressed from the first-gen, the VJ, to this the second in the VH. In fact, the malaise went across the entire Valiant range.
Though it doesn’t seem like such a big deal these days, but the pillared grille you see on the car here was condemned at the time, since it was a carry-over from the family cars. Gone was the whole R/T race and sports car program which, to mere mortals, seemed nuts.
From its inception in 1971, the Charger series had breathed new life into the local Chrysler range. Its styling was widely admired and, with the considerable talents of people such as the Geoghegan family, proved to be a formidable competitor on the track.
Over 17,000 examples found new owners out of that first series which, given the tiny local market, was an incredible result. It probably also got a whole lot more people walking through Chrysler showrooms and at least considering the
rest of the range. No small achievement.
Charger also proved that you didn’t absolutely have to have a V8 to compete with local touring cars. Sure a big Bathurst victor y eluded the series, but it was far from disgraced.
Certainly there were V8 models – 318 and 340ci were available from VH series – and owners love them as big cruisers. Many, like the owner of this Sportsman, have retrofitted them in place of the original six.
The variant you see here is something of a rarity. Just 500 Sportsman coupes were planned – effectively a dressed-up VJ with the mighty 265ci (4.3lt) six in the snout, matched to an auto transmission. This was a fairly powerful car for its day and was something that would have been treasured by whoever drove out of the showroom.
Despite the limited time it was built (1971-78) there are myriad variations on the Charger theme and it really does pay to do your homework before heading out, credit card burning a hole in your pocket. The range began with a humble 215ci six with three-on-the-tree manual and vinyl f loor mats, then ran the gamut of race cars and luxo cruisers.
The ultra-desirable E38 and E49 race homologation cars now command big numbers, particularly since the whole Aussie muscle car market seems to be bouncing back with a vengeance. But that doesn’t mean you have to lose hope.
We saw a perfectly presentable VJ with R/T warpaint, but stock 265 plus auto mechanicals, go for just under $30k at auction recently.
So there are still good buys to be had, if you look around, at a tenth of the price of a top-f light homologation car.
Something like the Sportsman? That’s a different kettle of fish. There were limited numbers made, and the kitschy paint and interior now appeal to a whole new audience, so they will cost you a premium. Start thinking more like $35k for one that needs tidying up, to considerably more for a concours car.
In any case, it’s still possible to get a decent Charger at reasonable money.