1962 Australian Chrysler Valiants....R Series and S Series

The Valiant was first introduced into Australia in January of 1962. They were fully imported from the USA and were locally assembled.

Known as the "R" Series, the Valiant was an instant success in a market where people wanted cars that were roomy enough for the whole family, but not tanks. They were impressed by the valiants performance - 145 bhp from a six cylinder engine. This was a lot of power when you consider the Holdens and the Fords of the time had only 75 and 85 respectively. Whilst not everyone was taken instantly by the looks, the general concensus was that the car had a "modern" , almost space age quality about it.

Those first "R" series Valiants came with a choice of 3 speed floor mounted manual transmission, with syncro on first only, or the 3 speed TORQUEFLITE automatic transmission. The auto was engaged using pressbuttons to the right of the instrtument cluster, and proved to be one of the finest transmissions available. On the other side of the instrument cluster, it was possible to order a pressbutton heater unit. If you wanted music, it was blasted out via the Moparmatic Deluxe Pushbutton Transistor Radio in the centre of the dash.

On the engine front was the unstoppable225 Slant Six. To this day renowned as one of the most reliable, never say die engines ever built. In America, Valiants could come standard with a 170 cu.in engine, and there was also the option of an Aluminium Slant Six. In the land of OZ however, it was the cast 225 with a single barrel Carter Ball & Ball carburettor doing all the breathing. It was stated that because the engine was inclined to the right at an angle of 30 degrees, a lower hoodline was permitted. Slant Six 225.

Whether or not this was so is left to be questioned, but it did allow for a very efficient inlet manifold with long branches. The starter motor is a "Chrysler" brand starter, used on the 1962 Valiants and later V8's. For the first time an Australian car came with an alternator instead of a generator, and instead of coil springs, the Valiant came with torsion bar suspension. Brakes were hydraulic drums, front and rear and the spare wheel mould on the boot was just that....a mould. The "real" wheel sat in a well in the boot. There were 1,008 R Series Valiants sold, and demand well exceeded supply. It was in March of 1962 that Chrysler introduced the tidied up version - the "S" Series Valiant.

The S Series Valiants were basically a twin of the R models with outward cosmetic changes distinguishing it at a distance. Gone was the fake wheel mould on the boot lid, replaced by a neat chromed emblem bearing the word "VALIANT". The "cat's eyes" tail lights on the R were gone, and instead a more conventional tail light lens and indicator assembly used. The chequered grille was now very neat looking and side chrome work was slightly changed also. The floor mounted manual shift was now on the steering column and various other minor things such as bottom ball joints now of a design that would continue throughout the Valiant range for years. Aside from these and maybe a few other minor changes, the car looked very similar. They sold 10,009 S series Valiants, and again were inundated with orders.

In America, you could buy a Valiant from 1960 - 62. They were designated the Q and the R and a Plymouth model known soley as VALIANT. You could order a Station Wagon version or even a 2 door hardtop. You could have a Signet 200, the Valiant upmarket model, or, if you bought a Dodge Lancer, which was basically the same car, a GT model. The Valiant never came out with a V8, but if you wanted a bit more "pep" in your engine compartment, you could always take advantage of Chryslers "HYPER PAK" option, which utilised an incredibly long ram tuned intake manifold and 4 barrell carburettor. This along with some other changes made it a very competitive vehicle. As mentioned earlier, you could also obtain an Aluminium 225, a keenly sought after collectors item today.

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