The Valiant family - Plymouths, Dodges, and Chryslers

In its first year, the sporty Valiant took first through seventh place in NASCAR’s compact car races — and won the Mobil Fuel Economy Challenge.

Two coupes (the Plymouth Duster and Valiant Charger) were runaway successes. Yet, the Valiant, Dart, and Duster never lost their reputation for rock-solid drivetrains, from slant-six to Hemi Six to 360 V8.

In the final year of the cars in the U.S., the Valiant-derived Dodge Dart Sport and Plymouth Duster were the fastest sedans in America, based on their top speed of 121.8 mph — just 2.7 mph behind the Corvette. The Australian Valiant Charger and Pacer set quarter-mile records and won many car races in New Zealand. The 36-mpg Plymouth Feather Duster had gas mileage that is admirable even today, given its size.

The Valiant was the basis of the Dodge Dart, Plymouth Duster, Demon, Dodge Lancer, Demon, Plymouth Scamp, Chrysler 3700, early Plymouth Barracudas, and Australian Charger, Chrysler Pacer, Drifter, Utility, and others - economy and racing cars, panel vans and coupes.

Related links: Other A-bodies | Plymouth Duster and Scamp | Dodge Demon | Chrysler 3700 | Plymouth Barracuda | Valiant Pacer | Valiant Drifter | Police versions

"Rarely has a car with so little sex appeal been so popular for so long." - Author Known

"Darts and Valiants were the Energizer bunnies of compact cars, and many are still on the roads, their reputation for longevity intact." — The New York Times

Sean Renteria took a supercharged 1965 Valiant up to 209 mph in 6.63 seconds in 2007, setting a new world record quarter-mile time. See the story.

A Valiant history

The Valiant was introduced in 1959 as a 1960 car. While Valiant was a separate marque, like Dodge, it was quickly merged into Plymouth in the USA.

The Valiant was to be European in nature, from its high-revving engine to its curvaceous body; it boasted an alternator at launch (a Chrysler first), a pushbutton transmission, and a torsion bar suspension, once unique to expensive cars, for superior handling.

The last US/Canada Plymouth Valiant was produced in 1976, when it was replaced by the Plymouth Volare, essentially a third-generation Valiant. The Chrysler Valiant continued in Australia through 1980, and in South America through 1982 (as the Dodge Dart, Chrysler 3700, and Dodge Charger). The fourth generation, the Dodge Diplomat / Plymouth Gran Fury, lasted until 1989.

Related links: Creating the Valiant | Chronology | Models | Duster development | Dodge Dart

International footprint

Some of the most impressive Valiants were made in Australia, where a Hemi-head six-cylinder engine, fed by multiple Weber carburetors, set a speed record which (arguably) still holds. Modified Chrysler Valiant Chargers became New Zealand's most successful racing car. Australian Valiants were also sold in Africa.

In Europe, Valiants injected life into a declining Chrysler. The little 170 slant six avoided high engine-displacement taxes, while the compact car, with appropriate “goodies” added, was popular among Europeans, who valued gas mileage and sporty cornering. Chrysler was especially favored in Spain.

“The Swedish Valiant had a very good reputation for reliability, they said that it was so good even a cop couldn't break it.” - Mattias Johansson

Related links: Australia | New Zealand | Canada | South Africa | South America | Spain 

Valiant performance including racing

There were many high-performance Plymouth Valiants, including the HyperPaks, big-block-eating 340s, the 383 Dodge Dart GTS, 440-powered Dodge Dart GSS, supercharged 1972 Gran Spaulding Dodge Demons, and Hurst-prepared 426 Dodge Darts! There was even a Lotus racing Plymouth Valiant! That’s not to mention the infamous Mr. Norm’s Hemi-powered 1968 Dart - now once again available! Owners of the entry-level Valiants, Dusters, etc. can also upgrade their slant six engines.

"Chrysler passenger cars returned to Australia in 1996 to find Australian reverence for the beloved Valiant was still intact." - Chrysler Australia

Related links: Lotus racing Valiant | New Zealand racing | V8 engines | Hemi Six | Pacer | Chargers | vs. Mustangs

Valiant (and other A-body) information

The Valiant and its siblings would change their shape and options, but their reliability would remain. We have a number of photos covering a wide range of models and years.

Related links: North American Valiant Varieties | Specs | Engines | Transmissions | Valiant Stories
Plymouth Duster and Scamp | Dodge Demon | Plymouth Barracuda | Dodge Dart

Photos: North America | South America | Australia/New Zealand
Ranger, Safari, and Regal | Pacer | VIP

Information for owners

If you own a Plymouth Valiant, Plymouth Duster, Dodge Dart, Demon, etc., visit the repairs and parts page, and:

Related links: Valiant / Duster / A-Body Forum | Books | Allpar | acarplace car reviews

valiant.org was first set up in 1998; it is based on a site that started in 1994.

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