Chrysler Valiant (AP5)

Chrysler AP5 Valiant

Chrysler AP5 Valiant sedan
Overview
Manufacturer Chrysler Australia
Production May 1963 to February 1965 [1]
49,440 produced [1]
Assembly Mile End Australia [2]
Tonsley Park, Australia [1]
New Zealand [3]
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan [1]
5-door station wagon [1]
Layout FR layout [1]
Related Plymouth Valiant
Powertrain
Engine 225 cu in (3.7 L) I6 [1]
Transmission 3spd manual [1]
3spd automatic [1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 106.0 inches (2692 mm) [1]
Length 185.4 inches (4709 mm) [1]
Width 69.0 inches (1753 mm) [1]
Height 55.0 inches (1387 mm) [1]
Curb weight 2679 lb (1213 kg) [1]
Chronology
Predecessor Chrysler SV1 Valiant [1]
Successor Chrysler AP6 Valiant [1]

The Chrysler AP5 Valiant is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1963 to 1965.[1] It was the third Chrysler Valiant model to be produced in Australia.

Overview

The AP5 Valiant was released in May 1963, replacing the SV1 Valiant.[1] It was the first Valiant model to be manufactured in Australia rather than just assembled there.[4] The AP5 featured entirely new sheet-metal, with most body panels produced in Australia.[4] It differed from the US Plymouth Valiant in having a six-bar grille,[5] a larger boot with a different rear deck and a flat rear window.[4] The 225 cid slant six engine was carried over from the SV1 model and remained fully imported.[4] Suspension was substantially unchanged but employed softer rear springs.[4]

The AP5 range included the up-market Valiant Regal which featured different badgework, better seats and interior trim, auto transmission as standard, a heater with integrated demister, carpets and white-wall tyres.[4] In November 1963 Safari and Regal Safari station wagons were added to the range.[4] The wagons shared mechanical components and front styling with the sedans and were fitted with heavier rear springs.[4]

The AP5 was marketed by Chrysler Australia as the “Valiant by Chrysler” [6] [7] rather than as the Chrysler Valiant.

Model range

The AP5 Valiant was offered with 4-door sedan and 5-door station wagon body styles [1] in six models.[8]

The sedans were introduced in May 1963 [1] and the wagons in November 1963.[4]

Engines and transmissions

A 225 cu in (3.7 L) Straight-six engine was fitted to all models.[1] Three speed manual and three speed “TorqueFlite” push button operated automatic transmissions were offered, with the latter fitted as standard on Regal models.[8]

Production and replacement

A total of 49,440 AP5 Valiants were built prior to its replacement by the AP6 Valiant in February 1965.[1] Of this total, 37,292 were sedans and 12,148 were wagons.[9]

Motor sport

An AP5 Valiant driven by Tony Reynolds and Tony Allen won Class D in the 1963 Armstrong 500 endurance race at Mount Panorama, Bathurst.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 Elisabeth Tuckey and Ewan Kennedy, Chrysler Valiant, 1996
  2. ↑ Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion – A History of Chrysler in Australia 1946-1981, pages 352 & 418
  3. ↑ Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion – A History of Chrysler in Australia 1946-1981, page 122
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Chrysler Valiant AP5, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 20 November 2013
  5. ↑ Australian Production (AP5 and AP6), www.valiant.org Retrieved on 20 November 2013
  6. ↑ ”Valiant by Chrysler” - Chrysler Australia sales brochure for the AP5 Valiant sedans
  7. ↑ ”Valiant by Chrysler” - Chrysler Australia advertisement for the AP5 Valiant sedans, Australian Motor Manual, December 1963, page 4
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 Valiant AP5 Technical Specifications, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 20 November 2013
  9. ↑ Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion – A History of Chrysler in Australia 1946-1981, page 418
  10. ↑ Armstrong 500 - Mount Panorama, Bathurst - 6th October, 1963, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 19 November 2013