The 'R' was basically a copy of Chrysler America's "compact" Plymouth of 1961. The only real differences from the American model were the RH drive tiller, 14" wheels and the 145 horsepower 225 slant-six as standard rather than optional. With the engines 30 degree tilt to the right it made things quite a tight squeeze. On the right was also the coil, distributor, fuel pump, along with the RH steering box. This model also had the "Rear Deck Lid Tyre Cover Stamping", to use Chrysler-speak. This was a fake spare wheel moulding on the bootlid, but the spare wheel was actually under the floor of the boot.

Standard transmission was a 3-speed manual floor-shift mounted on the drivers side of the transmission tunnel. The Torqueflite auto' was optional and was controlled by buttons on the RH corner of the dash. The base model sold for 1299 pounds and with only 1008 "R" series Valiant’s sold in their short two month model run, they are now very collectible indeed.

The "R" was closely followed by the "S" series in March of the same year. Basically the same as the US model of the same era, this had minor cosmetic changes with the adoption of round tail-lights and the loss of the fake tyre cover, while the manual shifter was relocated to the column. 10,009 of these were made, of which 5,496 were automatics and 4,513 manuals.

Valiant's next model was the "AP5", released on May 30 1963. AP represented "Australian Production", so called because Chrysler Australia was now building Valiants in Australia rather than just assembling them here. This model only shared six body panels with its US cousin, still basically using the same "S" series running gear but with a new, squarer look to its bodywork. A Regal version was introduced to the range as a more luxurious variant. The base model was released with a price of 1220 pounds, 35 pounds cheaper than the previous 'S' series. There were nearly 50,000 AP5's made.

The AP6, released in March 1965, brought self-adjusting brakes and the introduction of the American 273 V8 (The engine used in the American Barracuda) as an option. Gone was the push button auto, replaced with a lever mounted on the column. The Valiant Wayfarer utility vehicle, based on the sedan, was also introduced.

The VC, released in March 1966, looked squarer again than its predecessor and was just 1/4" longer. Its grille had six full width chrome bars and a squared off boot-line, along with the indicators located in the bumpers and vertically stacked tail-lights. The VC Valiant was exported in some numbers to the UK. 65,634 VC's made. The VD model designation was skipped for obvious reasons. (Similarly,  Ford Australia decided to follow the EB Falcon with the ED, as EC stands in some areas for Earth Closet, or toilet!)

Released in October 1967, the VE looked very much like the American Dodge Dart. This was despite the Australian designers responsible for the body shape starting with a clean sheet of paper when commencing work on the VE project in May 1964. A VIP model was now available, with a 273 V8, Torqueflite automatic transmission, power disc brakes and power steering.

Valiant received the coveted "Wheels Car of the Year" award in 1967 for the VE, which introduced new safety features to Australian cars such as dual-speed wipers and dual circuit braking.

Final phases of VE's development were overseen by Chrysler Australia's new chief engineer, Walt McPherson, formerly head of Chrysler's proving ground in Detroit. The floor-pan was still an American design, which presented some problems when trying to adapt the American coaxial power steering system. Base engine was still the 145 horsepower 225, and disc brakes were optional along with the automatic-only option of the 160 horsepower 273 V8.  The slant-six also was available with a 2-bbl option that took the power up to 160 hp.

March 1969 brought the VF, with a new grille, lights, dash and optional air-conditioning for an extra $460. A larger V8, the 318, was also available with the VF model, but like its predecessor it was only available with the Torqueflite automatic transmission.

The first hardtop was also introduced with the VF range. This was the longest coupe ever made in Australia, at 5 metres (nearly 17 feet) long! The VF range brought the arrival of the first performance-oriented Valiant, the Pacer with a 225 slant-six producing 175 hp at a price of $2798. There were nearly 53,000 VF Valiants made.

Launched in 1970, the VG range heralded the arrival of the all-Australian, 4-litre HEMI engine. There were three versions of the new 40 pound lighter, and 16% more powerful in standard trim, HEMI available.

The base spec 245 single barrel (165 HP) had a red block and silver rocker cover, the 245 two barrel (185 HP) had a red block also but with a black rocker cover, while the Pacer (195 HP) had an orange block with a yellow rocker cover. The 318 was also still available. Cosmetic differences included a new grille and light assemblies.

Valiant Pacer came with side and rear sill stripes, a "HEMI 245" decal on the C-pillar and full carpeting. There was also an optional "Sports Appearance" pack, which included a spoiler, hood decals and black paint-outs on the hood. The range included the base model, Regal, VIP, two door hardtop, Safari station wagon and the Pacer sports sedan. There were over 46,000 VG's made.

1971's VH range saw the arrival of the short wheelbase, fast back Charger. The Pacer was still available and was at its quickest in the VH series though, capable of breaking into the 15 second region for the standing quarter. It remained in the record books as the fastest mass produced four door, six cylinder Aussie car until the arrival of the first XR6 Falcon some 17 years later.

Charger stole the show though. It won the "Wheels Car of the Year" award for 1971 and was widely acclaimed by the motoring press, as well as the public. "Australian Motoring News" reported that "the Charger is the most handsome car Chrysler has ever produced, and probably the best looking car ever produced by an Australian manufacturer". It came in four guises; standard, XL, 770, or the ball-tearing R/T.

VJ superseded the VH in 1973 and with it the Charger range was reduced to three models, Std, XL or 770 (even though a few six-packs still managed to hit the market). The VJ brought higher equipment levels, round headlights, a new grille and new tail lights.

There were no more hot Valiants - they had suffered an untimely demise from the political pressure mounted on car-makers by "The Supercar Scare" of 1972.

This was prompted by a newspaper article reporting on 150 MPH supercars being made by Australian manufacturers. Of course the government jumped on the bandwagon and pressured the car makers to put a stop to it, killing off some great Aussie muscle that was in the pipeline from all three big Aussie manufacturers; Chrysler Australia, Ford Australia and General Motors Holden.

Even the 340 cubic inch E55 Charger was now void of its sports car potential by being fitted with smaller valves and a cast crank instead of the previous forged crank that came with the VH E55's. Click for more details on the Valiant Charger.

The VK range was introduced in 1975, and with it the Charger range was down to two, the XL or 770. The 340 was no longer available and was replaced by an extremely sluggish version of the 360. The VK sedan came with new switchgear, brake proportioning and all new two barrel carbies, the poor 360 was strangled by such measures.

CL and CM were the last two Aussie Valiant models, coming with dual headlights and a new honeycomb grille while the engine options were reduced for the Charger to a 245, 265, or 318.