When you look at the automotive landscape today, it is hard to believe Australia was once the home to a vibrant vehicle manufacturing industry. The halcyon days were probably the 1970s when Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Leyland (and its British subsidiaries), Datsun, Toyota, and several smaller domestic companies were churning out cars for an eager buying public. It should be no surprise to many people to learn that Chrysler Australia’s financial position at that time was in a similar state to its North American parent company, and Mitsubishi would eventually swallow the Australian operation. In a bid to stave off the inevitable, Chrysler showed enormous flexibility in a bid to secure lucrative government supply contracts. This thinking led to the production of cars like this 1978 Valiant CL Sedan. For our readers Down Under, its shape will be pretty familiar. However, what we find under the skin helps it stand out from the crowd. As you will see, the car can rightly claim the crown of a genuine 1-of-1 vehicle, but it is also a classic that needs a new home. Located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, you will find this Valiant listed for sale here at Shannons Auctioneers. The online auction for this classic is set to commence on February 22nd, 2022, and while the auction estimate is A$40,000 – A$50,000, the owner is offering the car with No Reserve.

The history of this 1978 Valiant is interesting. Ordered by the New South Wales State Government, they used it as an evaluation vehicle for the Australian Federal Police. Intended as an undercover surveillance vehicle, the Government ordered the car in Spinnaker White. It clocked about 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) in their hands before passing into private ownership. It has remained in regular use since and now has 210,000 kilometers (130,400 miles) showing on its odometer. The seller indicates that most of its paint is original, although it has received the occasional touch-up during its life. A few smaller chips and marks have accumulated during the past forty-four years, but they are acceptable for a survivor-grade classic. The panels are as straight as an arrow, with no significant bruises or marks. That leads us to the moment where we need to discuss the subject of rust. Things don’t look bad on that front. The lower body extremities appear perfect, while the numerous underside shots reveal little beyond the occasional light dusting of surface corrosion. The only penetrating rust is a couple of small areas at the base of the back window. Rust of this type is not unusual in Valiants of this vintage, and addressing this problem should be easy and inexpensive. The exterior trim is close to perfect, as is the glass. The owner has retrofitted a set of Sankey Benson W35 alloy wheels, which were a factory option in 1978. He has also installed magnetic police signage and a blue “bubble” light to complete the law enforcement image.

When we go below the surface, we find what makes this Valiant unique. Chrysler offered three motors in their 1978 range, including two versions of their six-cylinder engine and a 318ci V8. While the larger motor was available across all Valiant variants, it was only in the sporty editions like the Charger and Drifter panel van that the V8 could be teamed with a four-speed manual transmission. As an evaluation vehicle, this car is the only Valiant CL Sedan to feature a V8/4-speed drivetrain combination. However, don’t think that the combination equated to a fire-breathing monster. New emission laws (ADR27a) came into force from July 1976, severely impacting performance. That 318 should be producing 143hp, allowing this vehicle to cover the ¼ mile in 17.8 seconds. That figure also indicates why the Valiant probably failed as a viable alternative for the Australian Federal Police. Holden released its new Commodore range in October, and not only was it 500lbs lighter than the Valiant, but its range-topping 308ci V8 churned out 153hp. That it could cover the same distance in 16.7 seconds while remaining more agile and efficient, drove the final nail into this car’s coffin. The engine bay of our feature car presents beautifully, and it does so for a good reason. Its numbers-matching V8 developed a misfire, and a careful investigation revealed that this was due to a burnt valve. The owner pulled the engine and treated it to a rebuild. It is now in sound mechanical health and appears to be a turnkey proposition for its next owner.

The New South Wales Government ordered this Valiant trimmed in Satin Parchment vinyl, and it remains original and untouched. As was common with most Australian-built cars of this type and size during the 1970s, it features front bucket seats and a console. The upholstered surfaces are in excellent condition, with only some minor wear to show for forty-four years of active service. The dash and pad are equally impressive, while there are no major issues with the carpet. In addition to the factory AM radio, the owner has installed a vintage police two-way radio. There’s even a period-correct police hat on the rear parcel tray and a set of handcuffs in the glove compartment to reinforce this classic’s intended role.

That the Australian Government never pushed the “go” button on their Valiant CL program was no surprise for those living Down Under in 1978. While the Valiant was a respectable performer that handled well for its size and offered excellent interior space, Holden’s Commodore appeared in October of that year and was a game-changer. Smaller, lighter, more agile, and more efficient than the Valiant, the company offered it with a 308ci V8 that produced more power than the 318 under the hood of the Valiant. Despite this setback, Chrysler Australia soldiered on gamely. A perfect reflection of their plight is reflected in production totals for that model year. The company offered the Valiant CL in eight variants, but their entire production total for that year was a mere 32,672 cars. Chrysler Australia limped on until April of 1980, when it was purchased from the parent company by Mitsubishi. The final Valiant, a Spinnaker White Sedan, rolled off the line in August 1981. The low build totals make finding a Valiant CL a challenge in today’s market, but our feature car takes that to a new level. I won’t be surprised if the bidding easily sails beyond the upper auction estimate, so I will be watching this auction with interest.