Chrysler’s Classy Cruiser
The later Charger has claimed much of the Aussie Chrysler limelight but the simpler and classier lines of this car, based on the Dodge Dart, now have a more timeless appeal
Australia’s motoring scene in the ’60s acquired its own musclecar culture just as it had in the US. Winning at Bathurst saw the big brands do battle with bigger engines and more horsepower, producing a long tail of very capable road cars for the Australian consumer.
Ford kicked off the power race and set the performance bar in Australia with its V8-powered Falcon XR GT and Fairlane models of 1966. Its Futura two-door hardtop of 1965 was a looker, but it was never built with high performance in mind. It would be 1972 before Ford caught up in the performance coupe stakes with its XA coupe and big V8 options of 1972.
Traditionally the most conservative of the big three — GM-Holden, Ford, and Chrysler Australia — Chrysler Australia looked hard into its parent’s US model line-up for a quick response, and towards the impending challenge of GM-Holden’s Monaro coupe.
Chrysler Australia found the answer in the ‘A’ body two-door Dodge Dart platform, which it adapted with its own Valiant front clip along with a host of Australian-made components.
magazine named the 1967 VE Valiant series as its ‘Car
