Broadly speaking, there are two types of surprises that life can spring on us; Unwanted and pleasant. This 1968 Plymouth Valiant undoubtedly falls into the second category, because its unassuming exterior hides what is a genuine sleeper. Its original engine has made way for a V8 offering exceptional performance, while its overall presentation means that this classic appears to need nothing. The seller has listed the Valiant here on Facebook Marketplace in Clearwater, Florida. Our own Russ Dixon spotted this beast that could be yours for $32,900.
Almost every American vehicle manufacturer scrambled to produce a compact car as the 1960s dawned. European imports were making inroads on sales sheets, and companies like Chrysler tried to counter these with models like the Valiant that first appeared in 1959. It evolved during Four Generations which eventually ended production in 1976. The Third Generation hit showroom floors in 1967, with our feature car rolling off the line in 1968. First impressions are extremely positive, with its Jet Black paint holding a wonderful depth of color and shine. There are no visible significant defects, and it cloaks laser-straight panels. The seller supplies an underside shot confirming this classic is rust-free. The sparkling trim perfectly contrasts the dark paint shade, and the glass is spotless. The Valiant rolls on 15″ steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps that provide only the merest hint that there might be more to this classic than meets the eye.
The largest and most powerful engine offered by Plymouth to 1968 Valiant buyers was the 318ci V8 that delivered 230hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque. It allowed an auto-equipped car to cover the ¼-mile in 15.9 seconds, which was deemed adequate by most owners. However, this Plymouth’s owner craved more, slotting in a 1968-vintage 383ci beast that churns out 330hp. The torque figure is unknown, but a figure north of 400 ft/lbs seems realistic. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed A-727 TorqueFlite that feeds those raging horses to an 8¾” Sure Grip rear end. The engine inhales deeply via an Edelbrock carburetor, while an aluminum radiator keeps engine temperature under control. I think it is safe to say that this Valiant would leave a standard example eating its dust and that an ET in the 14-second bracket should be easily achieved. Although the seller supplies no information regarding this classic’s mechanical health, the overall condition suggests that the news should be positive.
The aftermarket additions to this Valiant’s interior don’t detract from its overall original state and should enhance the driving experience. The seller installed Cold Masters air conditioning with R134a refrigerant and a modern AM/FM stereo. Beyond that, it is standard Plymouth fare. The seats and door trims feature Black vinyl that is free from wear. The same is true of the matching carpet, while the dash and pad look flawless. There are some slight wrinkles in the headliner on the rear sail panels, but they are so minor that I would probably ignore them. Like the exterior, this Valiant’s interior should receive nothing but praise for its condition.
There is a lot to like about this 1968 Plymouth Valiant, especially for enthusiasts with a leaning towards Mopar muscle. Even if you don’t fall into that category, it is still a classic that you could park in your garage with pride. It would reward the driver with exceptional performance whenever they hit the gas, and its subtle appearance would allow it to spring a surprise at a “Traffic Light Grand Prix.” It might not fit under a tree, but it would make an excellent Christmas present if you wish to treat yourself to something genuinely special that will keep giving for years. Are you tempted by that thought?
Well, PJ’s got a nice, FREE plug on the internet thanks to you guys.
Nice clean build and well-penned, Adam! When all you might complain about are an oddly kinked exhaust and high school looking wires and connectors on the core support, someone did a good job. Modern air can hopefully counteract the heat-absorbing black. Sweet ride. Thanks Adam and Russ!
I’d rather have in its original, unscathed configuration. Would have been a nice little car.
In South Africa they were a nice little car. I owned a six cylinder 1968 Rebel a/t with 95,000+ miles on the clock when I bought it in 1971 which had been a taxi. I towed a caravan to Cape Town and back, a distance of over 2000 miles, twice, and it never gave me a moments trouble other than a front prop shaft universal joint. I sold it to a guy who owned a truck transport business and he used it to ferry replacement parts to his broken down trucks all over south Africa when needed. I saw him about three years later and although he had overhauled the engine fairly recently that was all he had done to it besides general servicing and maintenance. Great car and one of my favourites.
So, this would be the equivalent to the Dart GTS, no? Sam ting, but not offered for some reason. Going by GTS performance, these did 0-60 in about 6.3 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.7 for a 4 speed, an automatic just a tick slower. I think the days of “sleeper” performance cars are a bit dated, aside from that troopers Charger today, not much could pass it anyway. If you had this car in the 70s, plenty of Mustang and Chevelles got their doors blown off by a VALIANT??? Very cool find.
@Howard- My having been built in 1953,makes me believe the term “Sleeper” is definitely a generational thing. In the 1960’s, this car would probably have been recognized immediately as one. In 2024, not so much. I would wager that “sleeper” means nothing to anyone under 50 years old. What say you my good man? Merry Christmas.
Too true about the under 50s rule on sleepers, back in the late 80s down under I had a good friend (older guy) who owned a very successful ad agency and every two years he bought a highly optioned V8 base model Falcon in plain simple white. He could have just bought a Fairmont or Fairlane AND got all the bling but he insisted on the upgrades being built into a white base model. His ex F1 mechanic took possession of the cars first and pulled the 351 and blueprinted it, did heaps of hidden performance upgrades and presented my friend with the sleeper of all sleepers. He loved being inconspicuous. And he’d sell them every two years to a high level cop and get a new one. So many times he used to eat young bucks at the lights leaving only a smokescreen. He also flew choppers, had a Pilatus PC-12 and an AC Cobra replica. Dude loved speed. Generous guy who used to take me flying so I could get more stick time as a student pilot.
The Valiant wasn’t offered with a 383 because Plymouth had the Barracuda , which was their performance A body. Dodge only had the Dart as an A body , so they had the engine options
Nice car and extremely well done. I think that if I would have built it, the only thing I might have changed would be the engine choice. Even though it would be evil to drive, I would have had to of gone with a 440. Pretty car no matter what.
I agree, go big or go home… If you’re going to put up with the weight of a big block you might as well go all the way and make a street monster out of it. I think it would be worth more with a 440 and it’s the same amount of work. The only issue with keeping it a sleeper is you really need a lot of tire to get that much power hooked up and that would be really hard to do within the stock rear fenders, and if you tub it you won’t fool anybody. Maybe if you roll the fender lips and just bulge the rear fenders a bit you an still get away with it.
Dennis Weaver could have done circles around the Peterbilt in this.
He should have been able to leave that truck in the dust anyway. Some of the shots you can clearly see a V8 emblem on the fender. A 318 Valiant was pretty swift. Plus around those mountain curves, he would have prevailed. Just a crummy driver.
Since the replacement engine isn’t even a slant 6, what the hell difference does it make if it’s “date coded”?????
Didn’t see any comments on “date coded”. Did I miss something?
@ Charles, from the FB Marketplace ad listing,,,,,,,,1968 Plymouth Valiant 100 For Sale. 383 cubic inch V8 68 Date code 330hp engine , 727 torque flight 3 speed automatic transmission, Edelbrock carburetor, aluminum radiator with electric fans, dual exhaust, 8 3/4 sure grip rear with 3.23 gears, detailed engine bay and undercarriage, front disc brakes, 15” painted wheels with caps, Beautiful Jet Black exterior, chrome driver chrome sport mirror, black bench seat interior, updated AM/FM radio, day night interior mirror, Cold Masters A/C with R134A refrigerant.
So I did miss something. Thanks.
As good as the big girls could have been on the horizontal limbo , i never walked around with an ugly girl and the same thing applies to this ugly car , fast or not, no way !
YOLO
Sleeper ??? in a world of massive SUVs and silver jellybean 4 door cars , how would a loud, boxy old 2 door car be a sleeper ?
Even a factory 318 would be no slouch! So much lighter than the factory performance models without the fanfare………..
Well I will say it. Too much money 😎 there’s super nice cudas and Z/28 Camaros available for similar money. It’s nice but only $18,000 nice.
I bet a 340 dart would beat it in a street race.
Unless you’re referring to a Z-28 from about ’73 on, you’re not going to touch a nice Z-28 for $32,000. Also, and I’m not trying to be argumentative, a 340 would have to be pretty well heated up to run with a 330 horse 383. Just sayin’.
I suppose if Plymouth had ever buit a Forula S Valiant, it would look a lot like this car. I personally prefer a small block in any A body car. So I probably would have tried to source a 340 or resort to a 360 magnum crate motor. But considering how popular (and quick) the 383 powered GTS Darts were, you know this car would be a hoot to drive!
If you ask me, it’s still a sleeper. I used to surprise a lot of Mustangs and Camaros in my 340 darts and Dusters back in the day. But without so much as a stripe or hood scoops, or chrome exhaust tip showing, this car would straight up shock you!
Sweet!
I have to agree with, Oldrodder. Big blocks have long legs!
Put a big stove in a Duster, tho a 340 was amusing, 383 hands down!
I was 14 when my Father passed away. My Mother took the big Chrysler to town and traded it for a 68 Plymouth Valiant 4 door with the 318. The high Montana winds would almost make it change lanes. I got my license at 15 and we moved to Washington state. I always considered it a pretty slow car so driving it home I would have to go up a really steep hill getting near home and I would take a run at, say about 65 in a 35. A cop was setting at the bottom one night at a side street and I was able to get off the road before he caught up to me. My new stepfather totaled that car.
One big problem with these is how flexible the chassis of these cars were. I had a friend with a 67 273 hi po Dart with a 4 speed. When you banged 2nd gear really hard the car twisted so badly that the steering wheel would jump up about 3 inches relative to where it normally was. When you were in the passenger seat it was an amazing sight… I can’t imagine what a 383 would do to it.
I can relate to that. I had a ’64 factory.283 4 speed Nova and by the time I was done fooling around it had a really warmed up 327. (ran mid.12s) Problem was body flex. It was so bad that I had to install a strap from the driver’s door down to the floor to keep the door from coming open when I banged second grear.
El Grecko / oldrodder: a friend put a hot 400 in a Nova in the ’80s. He wanted solid motor mounts so it would launch super hard. Pulled into a hangout parking lot the first night he’d thrashed it everywhere in the county. Someone asked, “Why is your hood bent?” The whole front sub-frame was torqued out of shape. Oops.
I had the motor in mine chained down to the sub-frame so it wouldn’t tear motor mounts apart and it tweaked the sub-frame as well.