Valiant VH Pacer

I have owned a variety of VH Valiants but never the Pacer. Chrysler Australia produced the VH Valiant with a huge range of models and options from 1971 to 1973. Of course we all know how popular the Charger became but the VH Pacer sedan is for many of us more desirable. And I have owned a VH Charger and VH sedans so I have some reason to comment.

The VH Pacer was in its day the fastest mass produced six cylinder sedan made in Australia. A record it held for more than 15 years. It was powered by a high powered hemi 265 Cubic inch (4.3 litre) straight six. It could propel this beast from Zero to 60MPH (100 KM/H) in around 7.5 seconds and the 1/4 mile in under 16 seconds. Not bad for a large sedan powered by a six cylinder.

Sadly, and perhaps due to the success of the VH Charger, only some 1600 VH Pacers were produced. Most with a three speed manual box. Some with a 4 speed. And a few with an automatic transmission.

Enjoy the photos and remember to leave a comment.

VH Valiant Pacer

1973 CJ Chrysler by Chrysler 1/43 Scale by Trax Select Series

Trax Select Series CJ Chrysler by Chrysler

The CJ series Chrysler by Chrysler (CxC) was the second iteration of Chrysler Australia’s large luxury car which followed the 1971 CH CxC release.  The first point I want to address here is one which Im sure will be obvious to you; Couldn’t they have come up with an original name? As far as luxury cars went in this era, Holden had their Statesman and Ford had their Fairlane and LTD. And Chrysler had their… well… they had their Chrysler. Ok now we have addressed that point lets move on. The CxC was larger in every way than the Valiants it sat above in Chrysler’s range. It came standard with the 265 (4.3L) six cylinder but could be optioned with the 360 cubic inch (5.9L) V8. It also came with the Torqueflyte Auto gearbox as standard.

The list of luxuries fitted as standard and options do not seem much to us Today, but in 1970’s Australia, most of us could only dream of them. Some of them were power windows, power disc brakes, power steering, power aerial, illuminated boot, glove box and ashtray (woohoo!), huge comfy seats with an option for electric adjustment and more. This was Chrysler’s limousine.  The top of the tree in their luxury offering at the time.

The closest I came to owning one of these was sometime in the 80’s I was negotiating with a guy who had one under his house. It was 360 V8 in fairly good condition but it did not end up happening and I ended up with a Valiant V8 instead. But that is a story for another day.

 

The Trax Select Series model shown here is one of their better offerings. I couldn’t buy one in my 1:1 life so I will have to be satisfied with this one. Which I am.

Trax Select Series 1973 CJ Chrysler by Chrysler

 

Valiant 1967 VC V8 1/43 Scale Resin Model

The Swinging 60’s – The time was right for a nice new V8

G’day and welcome to our first post for 2018. If you like what you see here, please take the time to leave a comment. We kick off this year with another Valiant. This is a resin model of the 1966 -67 Valiant VC V8 in Maple Gold by Trax. Back in 1966 Chrysler Australia was ahead of the pack with its 273 V8. When the VC was released you could choose either the base model Valiant, or the Regal or the V8 as seen here.

Valiant VC V8 by Trax

The VC V8 was considered luxurious in its day and came standard with automatic transmission. The VC was also available with the tried and tested 225 slant six, but the V8 model was the pick of the models available.

VC Valiant V8 by Trax

Just like the real thing, the V8 badges are a nice touch to the model

Just like the real thing, the V8 badges are a nice touch to the model

If you look closely at the Trax model it has all the right V8 and Valiant badging, right down to the little penta-star badges on the front guards. I like this model and quickly got one when they were released but in my opinion they were a little too pricey for a 1/43 scale model. If they were a little cheaper I would certainly buy more as this is not the only VC V8 available but like many of my readers, I have to live on a budget so I cant stretch to each and every model that is issued. Such a shame.

Valiant VC V8

Valiant VC V8

I hope you enjoy the photos and short write up here of the VC V8. I never owned a VC Valiant in the 1/1 world but I would not knock one back if the opportunity arose and I could afford one. Now. Thanks for visiting and again, if you like what you see, please take the time to leave a comment.

1/43 scale resin model of the 1967 Valiant VC V8

 

Aussie Panel Van: Chrysler Denim Machine Panel Van

Chrysler Denim Machine Van

 

Well I’m back. Not that I have been away, I just haven’t posted anything in a while. I see there is still some interest in my little blog so here is something new for you.

 

The Chrysler (Australia) CL Panel Van was the only van Chrysler Valiant Australia made. There were very few of them. As far as I am aware, the Denim Machine was a promotional vehicle which they made some half dozen of to promote the forthcoming van. They were given away as prizes via radio station promotions. At the time (1977-8), each of the vans were valued at $11,000. I wonder what one would cost Today?

 

Chrysler Denim Machine Van

This is a resin 1/43 scale model by Armco. I believe there were some 200 of these models produced. I like Armco models. There seems to be a good deal of attention made to the detail of their models and as an aside, their packaging always seems to be better than some others. I mean you get a decent box and to a collector, small (not really small) things like this are appreciated.

Stitching Detail

This is one super detailed model. I appreciate the stitching detail here. Remember, it is The Denim Machine. Nicely done!

Flames and Side Pipe

More detail here. The flames, you cant miss them, the side pipe here, the window. This has got it all. What a dream machine.

Denimachine

Denim Machine Front Flames

Denim Machine Front Flames

Chrysler Denim Machine Panel Van

 

I hope you enjoy this one. Please leave a comment and sign up to follow this blog and keep up with future posts.

 

Valiant 1970 VG Pacer Hardtop

Valiant VG Pacer Hardtop

Its been a while since our blog has published an article but we are back with something special that true to our main purpose, includes a model car and a story to go with it. Here we have Armco Models 56 resin 1/43 scale of the 1970 VG Valiant Pacer Hardtop. The real things are awesome and this model is one of the best renditions of a car we have yet to get our hands on. We love this model!

Valiant VG Pacer Hardtop Resin 1/43 Scale Model by Armco Models 56

Lets discuss the car a little. The VG Valiant looked very similar to its predecessor, the VF, but it had a secret new weapon under the bonnet, the 245 Hemi engine that Chrysler Australia had spent millions of dollars and 5 years working on. In the other models in the range, there were 3 different power versions of the 245 Hemi but a very special one was kept for the Pacers. The VG release was the first and only time Chrysler Australia released the Pacer in hardtop form and it came with the Pacer 245. Officially power figures were not released but its believed this engine put out around 145KW (190bhp). Compare that to the base 245’s output of 123KW (165bhp) and you can see this had an advantage over the base.

Like all the hardtops in the VG range, they had some differences to the sedans. The hardtops had lower seats and was 19cm (7in) longer than the sedan, giving it that very long sweet rear end. The Pacers had a different coloured grille and that high performance Hemi 245, which had more power than the other Aussie sixes getting around at the time.

Valiant VG Pacer Hardtop in Hot Mustard powered by the Hemi 245

I have owned and driven more Valiants than I can remember. In the early 2000’s my brother restored a hardtop. The one pictured here. While not a pacer it was still a fun and cool cruise machine that a I got to drive a little bit. He spent more on the resto than he cares to remember but it was worth it. It had the same Jelly Bean mags as our model here, which really were the mags to suit these and loads of guys and girls fitted them to their Vals back in the day and to this day.

Restored Valiant Hardtop

Valiant VG Pacer Hardtop Resin Model by Armco Models 56 in 1/43 Scale

The resin model here has been done in Hot Mustard colour, which is accurate to the original release, and has had the ‘aftermarket’ jelly bean mags added which as mentioned earlier were and are the go for a Valiant from this era. This model was produced for the 2015 Model Expo. I sourced mine from the very helpful folks at Motorfocus Diecast Models in Brisbane. If you want one, be quick, they only have a few left. You can find their website by clicking here I am very happy with the service they provided.

Well that’s it for this time. I hope you enjoyed the VG Pacer Hardtop article. I should have bought my bro’s Hardtop when he sold it but you know how that goes…. woulda, shoulda, coulda…

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