Model Information

                                     

The VF & VG Hardtops

Introduction Date: September 1969

 These two door coupes were launched in an attempt to cash in for the demand for hardtops that took off in Australia in the late 1960s due to the success of the Holden Monaro.
Note the use of rectangular headlights half a decade before becoming available to US makers.

· Available in a range of 4 models with a choice of Six or V8 - Valiant, Regal & Regal 770 the Pacer was added to the range with the VG.
· Orientated towards luxury market rather than sports market.
· Other than front end sheet metal - all Hardtop body panels were imported from the US.
· Range of 2 tone roofs and vinyl roofs offered (black, parchment and green) The coupes' wheelbase were the same as all 1967-9 Darts, three inches longer than the 108" of Valiant sedans.

Tail styling is identical to the American models right down to the tail lights and body mouldings, the bright colour schemes of our Pacers were probably bolder than those offered to the Americans at that time.

Hardtop Information

From the day it unleashed the R series as a rival for Holden's stodgy EK,Chrysler was an expert at identifying niches in the market and building cars to fill them .While the Charger was its most odvious success,the VF-VG Hardtop drew its supporters from a range of buyers groups.

Like so many local Chryslers,the Hardtop owed it's existence to an American model-in this case the Dodge Dart GTS. From the firewall back the two-door Valiant was PURE DART,the range comprising Valiant, Regal ,Regal 770 & later released Pacer versions.The upmarket cars offered abundent luxury and in 770 form a 5.2 litre Fireball V8 and disc brakes.  

VF's came standard with a 3.7litre 160bhp slant six but the 318 V8 was optional. Automatic transmission was mandatory on Regals and given their target market when you're unlikly to find even a basic car with the 3 speed manual.

Chrysler followed American by fitting its two doors with a full -width front bench seat ( V8s got buckets and centre concole). Trim was in vinyl but "Buffalo Hide"cover were used in the 770.

The 1970 VG is recognised by its fine-bar grille and rectangular headlights but the most welcome advance was a new 'Hemi' six cylinder engine. Also new was a Hardtop version of the sporty Pacer ( See Glenn's Valiant Pacer Website for more information) which gave Chrysler a stopgap Monaro challenger while waiting for the Charger.

The Hardtop Pacer makes an interesting alternative to mainstream Australian performance cars.

Devoloping 135kW and despite its 3 speed gearbox, Hardtop Pacers are faster in acceleration and top speed than a 4.2-litre V8 Monaro.Good examples are rare and hard to come by so expect to pay around the $10,000.00 mark for them.

Hardtop Valiants share the mechanical durability of their four door equivalents, but many have been scrapped due to rustand the cost of replacement panels.While replacement sheetmetal is still available from Dodge parts suppliers in the USA restoration costs can far exceed the completed value of the car. Check out the rear quarters panels , cabin and boot floor and around the the the base of the roof pillars.

Source: Unique Cars 2001

Sorry I only have build numbers for Pacer Hardtops

1109: VG- 8- S 23 Pacer 2 Doors (Automatics)

3214: VG- 7- S 23 Pacer 2 Doors

E31s - 3 Hardtops

E34s - No Hardtops

E35s - 3 Hardtops

Option Codes:
A70 - Regal 770 inc. 318 high performance engine, automatic transmission, console shift, bucket seats, soft type steering wheel, 14 inch X 5.5 inch wheels B41 - Disc Brakes (Mandatory for V8 models - not optional)
C58 - Bucket Seats, Headrests, Centre Cushion and Armrest
D52 - 2.92:1 ratio "Sure Grip" Rear Axle
D56 - 3.50:1 ratio "Sure Grip" Rear Axle
H51 - Air Conditioning
S77 - Power Steering
V10 - Vinyl Roof Cover

Valiant VG Regal Automatic Hardtop= VG - 6 - H - 23= model code (all numbers after this refer to body number)

Valiant VG Pacer Manual Hardtop= VG - 7 - S - 23= model code (as above) 

  

The VH, VJ & CH Hardtops

Chrysler Australia released the VH range in 1971. It was a major change from the preceding VG range - larger cars, which were styled to look even larger than they were. The VG was a based the US "A" body platform, but the VH was wider and longer. This model range also saw the introduction of the new limousine class vehicles, the "CH" range. The V in VH is for Valiant, and the C in CH is for Chrysler.

The CH was a further 4 inches longer in the wheelbase than the VH Valiant. It received a different front and rear end treatment, and had higher equipment levels.

The 2 door version of the CH was called the Chrysler Hardtop. The Hardtop had the same wheelbase as the Chrysler by Chrysler, and shared the front and rear end treatment. There was also a VH Valiant Hardtop, which had the same basic body as the CH Hardtop, but with the VH Valiant front and rear end.

CH Hardtop

VH Hardtop

 

VJ Hardtop