Chrysler Valiant (RV1/SV1) 1962-1963

The Chrysler Valiant was a passenger car which was introduced by Chrysler Australia in 1962 with production ceasing in 1981. Initially a rebadged locally assembled Plymouth Valiant from the U.S., the Valiant range was sold throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as South Africa. Smaller numbers were exported to the UK and Southeast Asia.

[B]RV1 (1962)[/B]

After the Plymouth Valiant turned out to be a success in the United States (starting with its 1959 introduction), Chrysler released Australia's first locally assembled Valiant, the RV1 (R-series). It was officially unveiled by South Australia's Premier, Sir Thomas Playford, in January 1962 and was assembled at Chrysler's Mile End facility.

The RV1 (or R Series) Valiant was an instant success. Not everyone was taken instantly by the car's styling, but the general consensus[vague] was that the car had a modern, almost space age quality about it.

Also notable was the Valiant's performance with 145 brake horsepower (108 kW) from the 225 slant-6 engine. This was a lot of power compared to the competing Holdens and Fords, which offered only 75 bhp (56 kW) and 85 bhp (63 kW) respectively.

Transmission in the RV1 was limited to a floor-shifted three-speed manual with a non-synchro first gear. The pushbutton-operated three-speed TorqueFlite automaticwas not available until the SV1, or S series. Options included a heater-demister unit, as well as a "Moparmatic" deluxe pushbutton transistor radio.

The RV1 Valiant was the first Australian car to come with an alternator instead of a generator, and instead of coil springs, the Valiant came with torsion bar suspension. Brakes were hydraulic 9 in (229 mm) drums front and rear. The RV1 had a simulated spare wheel outline on the bootlid, but the spare wheel was actually under the floor of the boot.

The base model sold for $1299.

[B]SV1 (1962-1963)[/B]

In March 1962, Chrysler replaced the American 1961-model R Valiant with the American 1962 SV1 (S Series) Valiant. The SV1 used the same body shell as the RV1, with cosmetic changes including the deletion of the simulated spare wheel on the bootlid, and round tail lamps replacing the R-model's cat-eye shaped ones. There was a revised radiator grille and new exterior trim.

Mechanical changes included relocation of the manual transmission shifter to the steering column, new ball joints, and a new gear-reduction starter motor.

10,009 SV1 Valiants were sold, of which 5,496 were automatics and 4,513 were manuals.

[SIZE="1"]Source: wikipedia.org[/SIZE]