VALIANT VF-VJ HARDTOP
VALIANT'S AUSSIE FAMILY TWO-DOOR HARDTOPS CARTED THE TROOPS AROUND IN STYLE
Always scratching for cash to develop new models and hampered by design conservatism, Chrysler Australia still managed to keep its head above water when the odds were against it.
Once rumours during the late 1960s of a two-door Holden had been confirmed, Chrysler had barely a year to find and fund a Monaro rival without spending too much money.
The USA provided an obvious solution with the two-door Dodge Dart a ready-made platform for Chrysler’s proven power units. These included the 5.2-litre V8 and the ‘hemi’ six which was under development locally and would headline the VG model’s 1970 launch.
Australia’s first Valiant hardtops appeared in 1969, wearing VF sheet-metal from the windscreen forward and available in basic or Regal trim. The stock engine was Chrysler’s long-serving 3.7-litre Slant Six with the V8 optional.
The majority of hardtops were automatic and basic models came with power-assisted drum brakes. However, Chrysler wisely made front disc brakes standard on all V8 hardtops and, when the VG series appeared, across the Regal range.
Base VF-VG hardtops were basic with three-speed manual transmission and a sparse interior. However, the introductory price of $2898 was only $200 more than a base-model Monaro for a bigger and more powerful car. Adding performance and equipment added up and by the time buyers signed up for a two-door Regal 770 V8 the price had climbed to $3838.
Top-spec hardtops were impressive and stole sales from the larger Dodge Phoenix. The seats were trimmed in a high-grade vinyl called ‘Buffalo Grain’ and the roof was vinyl-covered. Inside were lots of armrests and ashtrays but occupants still had to wind the big side windows up and down.
If you wanted to carry a card table and some ironing boards, the Hardtop boot was perfectly proportioned, but tall cartons or an Esky snagged the lid when trying to close it.
The hardtop doors were another matter. More than a metre long they offered easy rear seat access; for kids able to slip aboard without needing to unlatch the tilting backs of the front bucket seats.
For 1970 and in a serious challenge to Holden’s locally made 253 V8, Chrysler introduced its range of ‘Hemi Six’ engines. These began with a 215 cubic inch (3.7-litre) version that was not offered to Hardtop buyers, a 245 that was and a 265 that was available in Regal versions and would provide the basis for Chrysler’s extraordinary Six-Pack race motors.
For 1971, Chrysler went certifiably crazy and enlarged its VH Valiant to untenable size. Among the most imposing variants but a lousy sales prospect was the new hardtop which sold only in Regal trim and survived in showrooms only until 1974.
Handling was not a hardtop forte, abetted by unassisted steering with 4.4 turns lock to lock. It was intended to make parking and low speed turns almost effortless but at highway speeds relayed minimal information. Radial-ply tyres helped but there was only so much that could be done to stop the big two-door wallowing like a whale through bends.