How a rebadged American car became an Australian manufacturing powerhouse
In short: In 1962, Chrysler Australia introduced the RV1, a car that felt like the space age. What began as a rebadged American Plymouth soon evolved into a locally designed icon, eventually outperforming competitors and winning prestigious awards through distinct Australian engineering.
The Chrysler Valiant's journey in Australia began with the RV1 in January 1962, an assembly of the American Plymouth Valiant. While some critics questioned its initial styling, the car's modern, space-age quality resonated with the public. It immediately set a performance benchmark; its 225 Slant-6 engine delivered 145 brake horsepower, significantly outclassing the competing Holden Kingswood and Ford Falcon, which offered only 75 and 90 brake horsepower respectively.
By 1963, the brand transitioned from assembly to full manufacturing. The AP5 series, the first entirely Australian-manufactured Valiant, was produced at a new $36 million Tonsley Park facility in South Australia. This model marked a significant departure from its North American donor, sharing only the four doors, windscreen, and front guards. This era also saw the introduction of the Safari station wagon, a body style Chrysler continued to produce in Australia long after it was discontinued in North America.
The Valiant's evolution continued through the VE, VF, and VG series. The VE series achieved a milestone in 1967 by winning the Wheels magazine Car of the Year award, the first for Chrysler Australia. As the lineup matured, the cars became increasingly unique to the Australian market. By the time the VF series arrived in 1969, the range included the Valiant Hardtop—the longest coupe ever built in Australia at over 5,000 mm—and the Chrysler VIP, which featured a stretched 2,800 mm wheelbase.
The era of local production concluded in 1981 following the takeover by Mitsubishi Motors Australia, ending nearly two decades of the Valiant's influence on the Australian motoring landscape.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Chrysler Valiant
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