Plymouth Valiant

Introduced in 1959, the Valiant was Chrysler Corp’s response to the 1958 recession, and the rise in sales of small European imports. Though large by international standards, the new Valiant was a compact in American automotive parlance. Courtesy of a daring new Virgil Exner design, the Valiant was more stylish than its rivals - Chevy’s new rear-engined Corvair and the Ford Falcon. With a brawny 225 cubic inch slant 6 under the bonnet the Valiant had a performance edge until Chevrolet offered a turbocharged Corvair and Ford made the 260 small block V8 available in the Falcon.

Offered in sedan, two door hardtop, station wagon and later a convertible, Plymouth also released a muscular, V8 fastback version in ‘64 called the Barracuda. The Valiant was a success from the start and sold well throughout the 1960s. It came into its own again in the early 1970s as the entire industry began to downsize after the 1973 Arab oil embargo.

Valiants were also manufactured overseas - the most successful market being Australia, where Chrysler built right hand drive copies of the Plymouth through the ‘60s, releasing an all-Australian Valiant range of sedans, coupes, wagons and commercial vehicles in 1971. Check out the Tunnel Ram Aussie Valiant gallery