Chrysler introduced its first compact car in 1960, the Valiant. The successful model would last through 1976, offered parallel with the Dodge Dart for much of time. This 1966 Valiant is from the last year of the car’s second generation. It looks fairly regular and well used with corrosion as you would expect. This is perhaps the cheapest running autos we’ve seen in a while and it can be found in the Bronx, New York. The little Mopar is available here on craigslist for just $899. Keep the tips coming, Mitchell G.!
The Valiant was a steady eddy when it came to competing with the Chevy Nova and the Ford Falcon, the compact car sales leader in the 1960s. Most were built with Chrysler’s venerable Slant-Six engine (225 cubic inches) as was the seller’s car. Despite the car’s forlorn appearance, we’re told it runs, drives, and stops (at $899, you can’t ask for much more). The mileage may be 79,000 and it may be legit, but does it matter?
The seller is up front in saying the car is rusty with a particular emphasis on the left front fender. The photos help much with this but the interior looks like it may have fared better. Chances are most buyers would think of this as a donor for another project as the demand for a restored, 4-door, 6-cylinder, family-style second car won’t be huge. What would you do with one? Target practice?
Probably a good deal, not many cars of any age under 1000.00 just lose the pinto hubcaps.
I once owned one of these that was literally owned by a little old lady who only drove it to church, the grocery store, and the doctors’ office. She had gone to the same church as I did and when it came time for her to suit driving it I bought it. When it came time to sell it I ran an ax in the local newspaper and honestly had 2 guys show up and began bidding for it. He drove off in a pristine vehicle.
FINALLY A REASONABLE PRICE VEHICLE. Most vehicles now are WAY OVER PRICE. If it was closer–I definiletly would check it out. These were well made and dependable vehicles and easy on gas and parts were cheap.
Wow it makes you think back in the 70s pricing
What does the passenger side look like???
George, you may view the Craigslist ad that has good photo of passenger side that looks better. This car really does not look bad at all for the money, even interior okay. In the Bronxs. Replace one fender or repair?
Thank you for the suggestion.
Even at $900 my checkbook says “No way”. Gotta do all my family stuff first
and then treat myself to something if
there’s any money left. But by the time you figure in shipping costs, it could go well over $10 to $12K just to get it to your house. At least that’s how it is in Florida. All that aside, it would be great to own and drive a car
that allows you to do all or most of the repairs YOURSELF and save a pile
of cash in the process. The only things I’d do to it would be to add disc
brakes up front for safer stops, and a
really good stereo system to blare out
the windows as I’d have to wait to get
Vintage Air installed hopefully BEFORE it gets up to 117 degrees this
Summer. The car itself comes across as being pretty honest and with no real surprises that would give you Buyer’s Remorse. So long as the slant six runs, the tranny shifts, and it
steers and stops safely so that you’d
actually WANT. to use it as a daily driver to take advantage of all the savings you’ll get as down the road you go. All I know is someone’s gonna get a great deal–just wish it was me!
Take a Greyhound up to New York and drive it home.
Hey for 899 dollars if it died on the way back to FL you could just leave it on the side of the road.
My first car that I ever purchased was a 1966 Dodge Dart GT. It was 1972 and I paid $250.00. The Dart was the cousin to this car. My car also had the slant 6 225 cubic inch engine. I guess as comparisons go, that was it. My car was in “mint” condition compared to this. I know that was 53 years ago,
Man. If you got a 1966 Dart GT for $250.00 you got a “GREAT DEAL” How long did you keep the car and what color was it? Thank you for your response.
Everybody of my generation has a Valiant/Dart story – these great cars were just ubiquitous. Just one story from me today though (and there’s more): I owned a small business. My best employee wrecked his car. I offered to sell him my Dart (essentially interchangeable with a Valiant.) I was shocked at his reply – he said: 1) He wouldn’t be caught dead in a Dodge Dart and 2) He couldn’t understand why I drove my Dart at least as often as my Rolls-Royce. My reply – “If I wasn’t willing to drive my Dart, I couldn’t have afforded to buy my Rolls-Royce!”
Yep…along with a 1964 1/2 with the little 273 dad also bought a 1966 with the 273….drove and towed with that 1966 all over….of course we had a few slants as well. It’s a buy in my book for even a winter beater !
Says it runs and drives, wonder if it would make the 2600 mile trip to home
You only have to carry three tools for the trip back home, to fix this car as it is so simple. Pliers, multi bit screwdriver and a hammer.
Again, the strange ubiquity of Ford Pinto wheelcovers on 1960s/70s cars with 13″ wheels.