{{Short description|Australian full-size car}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox automobile | image = 1966 Valiant VC Standard - (cropped).JPG | caption = Chrysler Valiant sedan | name = Chrysler Valiant (VC) | manufacturer = Chrysler Australia | aka = Dodge 106 heavy duty utility<ref name= AussieUte>Larry O'Toole, The Good Old Aussie Ute, 2000, page 197</ref> | production = March 1966 – September 1967<ref name=Tuckey>Elisabeth Tuckey and Ewan Kennedy, Chrysler Valiant, 1996</ref> | assembly = Australia: Tonsley Park<br />New Zealand: Petone (Todd Motors) | predecessor = Chrysler AP6 Valiant<ref name=Tuckey/> | successor = Chrysler VE Valiant<ref name=Tuckey/> | class = | body_style = 4-door sedan<ref name=Tuckey/> <br>5-door station wagon<ref name=Tuckey/><br>2-door coupe utility<ref name=Tuckey/> | layout = FR layout<ref name=Tuckey/> | platform = | engine = {{convert|225|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} I6<ref name=Tuckey/><br>{{convert|273|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} V8<ref name=Tuckey/> | transmission = 3-speed manual<ref name=Tuckey/><br />3-speed automatic<ref name=Tuckey/> | wheelbase = 106.0 inches (2692 mm) (sedan)<ref name=Tuckey/> | length = 188.3 inches (4782 mm) (sedan)<ref name=Tuckey/> | width = 69.0 inches (1753 mm) (sedan)<ref name=Tuckey/> | height = 55.0 inches (1397 mm) (sedan)<ref name=Tuckey/> | weight = 2774 lb (1258 kg) (sedan)<ref name=Tuckey/> | related = | designer = }}
The '''Chrysler Valiant (VC)''' is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1966 to 1967.<ref name=Tuckey/> It was released in March 1966, replacing the Chrysler AP6 Valiant.<ref name=Tuckey/> The VC was the fifth Chrysler Valiant model to be produced in Australia.
==Overview== The VC Valiant was longer and lower than any previous Australian Valiant model, and was based on the 1965–1966 U.S Plymouth Valiant which itself was essentially a facelift of the 1963–1964 model,<ref name=UniqueVC>[http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_chrysler_valiant_vc.htm Chrysler Valiant VC at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au] Retrieved on 24 May 2012</ref> Chrysler Australia photographs of early VC's show them bearing the model designation AP7.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://picasaweb.google.com/104928423534347932585/ValiantVC|title=Album Archive}}</ref> While the equivalent U.S Valiant came with a split-grille, the VC came with a new full-sized grille. Although made in Australia, it's front bumper, fenders and bonnet were shared with the U.S model.<ref name=Tuckey/>
Different to the U.S model, the VC had new rear styling with vertical taillights.<ref name="Tuckey" /> Wagons and utilities carried over the rear lights and panels from their AP6 predecessors,<ref name="UniqueVC" /> with wagons receiving the new rear bumper and utilities carrying over the previous models bumperettes. The VC range displayed a greater degree of differentiation between models with the Valiant, Regal and V8 each having unique exterior decoration and trim.<ref name="Davis">Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 96</ref>
Regal and V8 models had a chrome strip situated near the lower edge of the doors<ref name="Tuckey" /> and V8 models featured a vinyl roof, bucket seats and a floor mounted gear selector with full length centre console, as well as V8 badges on the rear roof pillar, bootlid, bonnet emblem and hubcaps.<ref name="Tuckey" />
V8 sedans also featured three horizontal chrome bars on the rear quarter panel. Front disc brakes were introduced as an option in November 1966.<ref name="Farmer">Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, 2010, pages 129-133</ref>
==Model range== The VC series Valiant was offered in 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon and 2-door coupe utility models.<ref name=Tuckey/> * Valiant 225 sedan<ref name=Brochure>Sales brochure for VC series 225 Slant 6 and 273 V8 Valiants</ref> (VC-M41) * Valiant 225 Safari wagon<ref name=Brochure/> (VC-M45) * Valiant Regal sedan<ref name=Brochure/> (VC-H41) * Valiant Regal Safari wagon<ref name=Brochure/> (VC-H45) * Valiant 273 V8 sedan<ref name=Brochure/> (VC-P41) * Valiant 273 V8 Safari wagon<ref name=Brochure/> (VC-P45) * Valiant Wayfarer utility<ref name=Tuckey/> (VC-M20)
<gallery widths="200" heights="150"> File:1967 Chrysler VC Valiant (5279034145).jpg|Chrysler VC Valiant sedan File:1966 Chrysler Valiant (VC) Safari station wagon (2015-06-08) 01.jpg|Chrysler VC Valiant Safari wagon File:1966 Chrysler Valiant (VC) Safari station wagon (2015-06-08) 02.jpg|Chrysler VC Valiant Safari wagon File:1966 Chrysler Valiant (VC) Regal sedan (16932852650).jpg|Chrysler VC Valiant Regal sedan File:1966 Chrysler VC Valiant Regal sedan (15625630286).jpg|Chrysler VC Valiant Regal sedan interior File:Chrysler VC Valiant Regal Safari.JPG|Chrysler VC Valiant Regal Safari wagon File:1966 Chrysler VC Valiant V8 sedan (15646640591).jpg|Chrysler VC Valiant V8 sedan File:1966 Chrysler VC Valiant V8 sedan (15649329995).jpg|Chrysler VC Valiant V8 sedan - note three horizontal chrome stripes on rear quarter panel to further differentiate V8 sedan from Regal File:Chrysler Valiant VC V8 Wagon (16059215794).jpg|Chrysler VC Valiant V8 Safari wagon File:Chrysler Valiant Wayfarer Utility (VC).jpg|Chrysler VC Valiant Wayfarer utility File:Chrysler Valiant VC Ute (15724160784).jpg|Chrysler VC Valiant Wayfarer utility - note rear bumperettes carried over from the previous AP6 utility File:1966 Chrysler VC Valiant Regal sedan (15462692539).jpg|225 cubic inch slant six as fitted to VC Valiant and Regal range </gallery>
===Dodge 106 heavy duty utility=== A variant of the Valiant Wayfarer utility was marketed as the Dodge 106 heavy duty utility.<ref name=AussieUte/> The Dodge had a 1,500 lb load capacity,<ref name=AussieUte/> as against the 1,200 lb capacity of the Wayfarer,<ref name=Tuckey/> and was visually differentiated by less chrome and exterior decoration.<ref name=AussieUte/> {{Clear}}
==Engines and transmissions== A {{convert|225|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} Straight-six engine was fitted to all models other than the 273 V8 sedan and wagon, which were powered by a {{convert|273|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} V8 engine.<ref name=UniqueVCSpecs>[http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/valiant_vc_technical_specifications.htm Valiant VC Technical Specifications, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au] Retrieved on 24 May 2012</ref> Base models were available with either three speed manual transmission or three speed automatic transmission, whilst Regals and 273 V8s were fitted with a three speed automatic as standard.<ref name=Tuckey/>
==Production and replacement== A total of 65,634 VC Valiants were built prior to its replacement by the VE Valiant range in 1967.<ref name=Tuckey/> {{Clear}}
==Motorsport== Two VC Valiant V8 automatic sedans contested the 1966 Gallaher 500 endurance race at Mount Panorama, Bathurst, finishing first and second in Class D. They placed 10th and 11th outright, beaten only by the Morris Cooper S which filled the first nine places.<ref>Bill Tuckey, Australia's Greatest Motor Race, 1981, pages 114-121</ref>
==Police Cars== Chrysler Australia produced 33 or 34 (actual figure is disputed) Valiant sedans with the base level trim, but equipped with the 273 V8, for use by Victoria and South Australia Police forces as high speed pursuit vehicles. These show in the production records as model code V41.<ref>Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, The History of Chrysler in Australia 1946-1981, page 409</ref> Regular production base model Valiants used model code M41, whilst regular production V8 with the luxury trim used model code P41. Externally they were identical to the regular six cylinder Valiant sedans, and had standard base trim level interiors instead of the luxury interior of the regular production V8s
==United Kingdom== Australian Chryslers were brought into the United Kingdom through Warwick Wright Ltd. beginning with the VC Series. Several VC Valiant sedans and station wagons were presented at the October 1966 British International Motor Show in London. The cars were sold through Rootes Group dealerships on a shared commission basis with Warwick Wright. <ref>https://www.aronline.co.uk/around-the-world/australia/around-the-world-australian-chryslers/</ref>
==References== <references/>
{{Commons category}} {{Chrysler Valiant}}
Category:Cars of Australia Category:Cars of New Zealand Category:Valiant vehicles Valiant Category:Cars introduced in 1966 Category:Cars discontinued in 1967 Category:1960s cars Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles