Before the much-loathed Aspen and Volare, and long before the K-car, the Valiant took on the role as Plymouth's "entry-level" compact car. Although Road and Track did hail it as one of the best compact cars of the era, I assume the magazine meant the firs-generation model, which started in 1960. The second-generation, which this is, lasted from 1967 to 1976 (technically the 1974 to 1976 cars are considered a different generation). Available with quite a pallet of colors, with a stonkingly huge array of engines, there was a car for everyone-including a folks who desired a V8 four-door. Sadly, the wagons and convertibles were both dropped with the arrival of the second-generation car.
As a result of their not-quite-fanfare with Mopar enthusiasts, prices for the second-generation car are fairly low compared with earlier cars. That doesn't mean they're not worthy vehicles, though. When cleaned up nicely (or preserved), the second generation cars make great-looking fairly reliable transportation, as shown here.
Normally, I don't take much notice of these Darts and Valiants; I really enjoy the earlier cars, but these middle-ground cars are honestly ho-hum to me for the most part. Once in awhile I see a nice example, and take a closer look. Finished in a deep green, and sporting all of its correct trim, this middle-ground economy car begged me to take a closer look.
From across the street, this sensible four-door looked great. Even up close, this guy didn't look too bad for a Minnesota car. I've never seen one in this hue before, and it looks quite good. I normally aren't drawn to mundane four-doors, but here this one takes the cake. Originality over all wins here. Factory hubcaps, trim, and badges really do make a car.
This is the most excited I've even been for a bottom-feeder car from a relatively forgotten marque, but damnit, it's a part of America's motoring history. For better or worse, I'll let you decide, but I had fun shooting this. Not likely to see another in this shape, for sure. Great shoot of a mundane car, but hey.. it's alive and kicking. That's gotta count for something, right?
5 comments:
What exactly makes the Valiant a pile of crap? I have kind of a soft spot for these cars even if they aren't particularly fast or nimble. They were built to be practical family transportation and that's what a lot of them still are. Given the number that still trundle around the roads, that seems like a testament to their reliability.
i've just heard various stories of them being such.
My dad won a Valiant in 1967, 4 door with a 273 V8. I drove that car all through High School. The Torqueflite automatic transmission in it had a satisfying snap shifting from 1st to 2nd, and the light weight and relatively powerful engine meant it would chirp its tires shifting. It was great fun stoplight racing. Everyone expected the Valiant to have the slant 6 so it surprised a few hotter cars.
Remember the movie with Dennis Weaver called "Duel"? This is the car he drove while running from a crazed truck driver.
also the truck used in the movie duel was a 1950 peterbilt 281 conventional day cab semi
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