Valiant VH–CM & Charger

The VH of June 1971 has a new, bigger body — the first Valiant designed entirely in Australia. Engines are the Hemi 215, 245 and a new 265, and the 318 V8. Brakes are 11in ventilated discs on all but the 215, which has drums. The VJ of 1973 keeps the VH sheet metal with a new grille, round headlamps and new tail lights; it brought electronic ignition on the Regal, Charger XL and Charger 770, and from July 1974 power front discs on everything but the utes. 90,865 were built, the most of any Valiant. The VK of October 1975 has new grilles and tail lights and a proportioning valve in the rear brakes. The CL of November 1976 has a new nose, bonnet and, on sedans, a new boot lid, lower rear panel and quarter panels. The CM of November 1978 changes only the grille, tail lights and mouldings; the last Valiant was built on 28 August 1981.

The Charger is a short-wheelbase coupé on its own shell, launched in August 1971 and built to August 1978; 31,857 were made. It has no centre pillar, so do not assume its door seals and glass are the sedan’s. In New Zealand Todd Motors assembled the VH as the Ranger XL, Regal 770 and Charger 770, the VK only as the Regal and Regal 770, and the CL as the Regal and Regal SE. Some early New Zealand VHs had one-piece front door glass, later changed to quarter-vent windows — check which yours has before you order front door rubbers.