Sydney Mopar Cruisers Club: Classic Restos - Series 50

Fletch joins the Sydney Mopar Cruisers Club on a cruise to the Nepean Dam, South West of Sydney. When it came to car sales in Australia, Chrysler was always the underdog of the big three, but the Valiants were respected by all for their mechanical prowess that packed a punch, as Fletch puts it. But it wasn’t always about performance; the Valiants were a tough, honest car that gained respect over time. Technically they were an American car incorporating Australian design elements in Adelaide, SA. 560,000 Valiants across all models were built in Australia between January 1962 and August 1981.
While Sydney Mopar Cruisers is a relatively small club, they are passionate about restoring and preserving classic cars, bikes, tractors and trucks. The club has a diverse range of Australian-delivered Valiants along with popular American Mopar Muscle cars amongst the members. Fletch catches up with some of them to get the story of their vehicles.
First is Scott with his 1966 VC Valiant, his father had one, and he grew up with this model, learned to drive in it, purchased it from his father and lost the car in a crash shortly after. He always planned on replacing the car when the time was right. When the time came, he secured this one in original condition, which required only a few modifications and a rebuild of the 225 Slant 6 engine. The car today proudly displays the original plates and registration sticker. A family connection from an early age is very common amongst enthusiasts.
Next is Fernando, with his Variety Bash car, a 1964 Dodge Phoenix, not quite in the Concours condition that you see with some enthusiasts cars. Still, he says it’s just perfect for the rigours of a bash, very reliable, and comfortable with air conditioning and power steering. Even more important is that it loves the dirt. The Dodge is a regular at Bash events, with The Variety Bash being one of the most significant charity events in Australia supporting kids in need.
Finally, there is Greg, with his AP6 Valiant Regal. He loves the shape of his AP6 Valiant Regal and believes the simplicity of the design makes them just beautiful. When purchased, the car was a wreck and restored to its original condition and colour scheme over two years. Surprisingly the Slant 6 engine was still running. Today it looks and runs well with just 100,000 km on the clock.

[@markbehr88]

Dam good episode Fletch.

[@deputycartman]

Always liked the Chargers. 👍🏻

[@TigerRogers0660]

Great selection! That 1st VC looks amazing!

[@michaelguerin56]

Nice episode. Enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@aussiebaz5363]

Basically, these are Chryslers with model names like Valiant, Dodge, Fargo, etc. MoPar is the name given by Chrysler for their parts section, Motor Parts. So a new Hemi head is a MoPar which belongs to a Chrysler. Dad's 1960 Chrysler Royal 313 auto V8 had a sticker under the bonnet with a boomerang and MoPar on it. That's how I learned this. He also had a Fargo, two Dodge trucks and was swayed by Walter Chrysler's engineering prowess. He had a 1955 Fargo PickUp (1949 in the US) bought new in '56, which had a KEW 6 side-valve engine which created maximum torque at about 1800 RPM, but would do 80mph. He sold that in 1964 and bought a Dodge 114 tabletop with a 225 slant six. He was so disappointed with its gutless motor, he demanded Chrysler Australia look at it, which they did, at Milperra, Sydney. He took it along Henry Lawson Drive and showed the Rep it's lack of pulling power and was told the trucks were put together from car reject parts, so the cam may be faulty, but would never admit to this. Dad was so pissed off, he never washed the old grey Dodge in it's lifetime. His '75 D200 was no better, the Hemi was gutless, so he dropped in a high compression 318 from a wreckers and fitted a limited slip diff. Finally, he was once again blessed with not only torque, but power, what a fabulous truck it was.

[@andreamills5852]

I love all of your Aussie Mopars , love the Valiant trucks that we couldn't get in the U.S. My first car was a 1966 Valiant 4 door , black with blue interior , factory ordered, 273 V8, 3 speed automatic. Loved this car, wish I still had her.

[@o8thman812]

Oh for the 80s-90s ! Cheap free Valiants for everybody...

[@neverspreadjamonabadjer8459]

I wish I hadn't read your comment. *sigh*

[@noelgibson5956]

A VC Regal sedan with a VC ute thrown in for parts:- all yours for a case of Foster's. Circa 1988!

[@flashtotago3555]

HELL YEAH!!!

[@perpetualgrin5804]

Very rare to see s Chrysler Sigma at these meets.

[@noelgibson5956]

I still think the original Sigma SE with the body colour wheel covers look fabulous now. The front is great too. The later Sigma's didn't excite me that much for whatever reason.

[@tipeneuriti5489]

When we resided in Wollongong NSW my first car 🚗 was a AP6 1981 hi Kiaora from new Zealand

[@tipeneuriti5489]

Our second car was a CL 3 X Tree gearbox good car 6 seater 4.0l

[@markhill9275]

The Wog Chariot!

[@lawrencegatt4515]

Well done mate 🔴🍺

[@pablojones5613]

Gotta be honest, I'm totally gutted that you didn't do a review on that beautiful square shaped bronze coloured car that was in the earlier shots of the video. I'm from the days where a car like this was the pinnacle of luxury, and style. Can anyone tell me what it is?

[@robinboucherwonderfulflight]

Plymouth Roadrunner.

[@pablojones5613]

@@robinboucherwonderfulflight no, I'm pretty sure it isn't. I'm talking about the early 80's car with the 4 square headlights

[@robinboucherwonderfulflight]

@@pablojones5613 Chrysler LeBaron

[@GhostOfRT300]

MoPar or no car! 🚙💨

[@justis9244]

Mopar is owned by Stellantis in Amsterdam and supply parts to Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall, Opel, Fiat, Lancia, Maserati, Abarth and Alfa Romeo. Chrysler doesn't appear to refer to any of it's vehicles as " Mopars"

[@kostasmihail8011]

Mopar was a term used back in the 60's which represented mo par motor parts

[@markwagener8118]

Long live the Val

[@greyhairedphantom4038]

I, like many of us that were teens in the mid 60s to the late 70s were taken in by the myths surrounding cars made in Australia, like... Holden is the best....ford were a very poor second, and valiants, well! You needed a 44 gallon drum of fuel in the boot to drive 10 miles! The 70s valiants were gigantic gas guzzlers, that was so wrong all round! I bought my first Valiant in my 30s because compared to a Holden or Ford of the same vintage...half the price! It was a VJ, 265 hemi Ranger. It was honestly the best car I ever owned! Great mileage, drove well, and went like nothing I had ever driven to that stage! My boss bought one of the last of the valiants, badged Mitsubishi. He absolutely loved it! My brother owned two cars until his late 30s.. an AP6, then an RT Charger. He still has the RT, in bits. I should have owned one long before, but listened to the BS talked in the pubs and among mates! The old Val was a great Aussie car, period! Had to edit a lot. Auto spell seems to think "Valiants" is "Variants" even auto spell has a thing against Valiants!

[@Tk-ou9ec]

Love Chrysler. That’s why I own one. (On my channel).

[@jimclarke1108]

Chrysler, Ford, Holden all classic cars now

[@kevinmckearney2643]

My father went to visit Chrysler plant Adelaide in early 60's on business I wonder if there are any records of this ? Thank you