While never flashy, the reliability of the Mopar A-body sedan is legendary. In his autobiography, Lee Iacocca acknowledged “The Dart and the Valiant ran forever”, and recognized that replacing them too early contributed to Chrysler’s woes later in the 1970’s. Here’s a chance to own one of these little daily drivers and contribute to a good cause at the same time. This ’72 Valiant is located in Hermosa Beach, California and can be found here on eBay with a BIN of $7,990 with offers accepted. And 10% of the purchase price will be donated to the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
We’ve all seen millions of these on the road over the years, being economical to buy and maintain meant they often kept going until they were wrecked or rusted out. This one seems to be no exception, and the mild SoCal climate appears to have kept the tinworm mostly at bay. Mechanically, while no underhood photos were provided, the seller indicates the car has the 170 cubic inch slant 6 with 2-bbl carb, a 904 Torqueflite automatic, power steering/brakes and an oversized radiator.
Inside we have a classic 1970’s “Brady Bunch green” vinyl interior that looks remarkably well-preserved. A-body interiors were mostly spartan but functional and comfortable, and this one appears to be no exception.
Likewise, the vinyl top looks to be in good shape. And while it is difficult to confirm in detail from the photos, the seller emphasizes that all doors and body panels align and fit very well. There are some small scrapes and bumps visible.
Being a 4-door, 6 cylinder A-body, this little car will never achieve the stratospheric values of classic Mopar muscle of this era. But for a fun weekend driver, cruise night/local car show cruiser, or a platform for a resto-mod, there’s a good chance this could last for another 40 years if taken care of. At $7,990, the asking price seems a tad above market, but the buyer is accepting offers – and remember that 10% of that will go to help animals. That’s a worthwhile option on any car.
Again, I don’t want to pay full price for a fixer-upper.
The color combination is odd to me. I don’t think I have seen brown outside with green inside.
That covers two earth colors on one car.
That’s a lot of money for a 4 door basic car with a slant 6. Someone’s dreaming again.
Yeah, but it can defeat demonic semi trucks while overheating….
Such a farce! Even with a 225 that Valiant would have ran away from that truck, out handled it for sure! Besides, in a few shots you an see a V8 marker on the front fender, a 318 would have ate that dirty old truck for breakfast.and spit out the muffler. Great movie, though.
Stuntman Carey Loftin drove the truck. He had quite a long resume during his career.
What film is the scene in question from? I love to see classic vehicles on-screen, as well as in-person.
M.C.S, the movie is Duel, look it up.
MCS, that is from the 1974 TV movie, “Duel”. Starred Dennis Weaver and was Steven Spielberg’s first movie he directed.
Glen and Billy-
Thanks for the tip! I am going to have to seek this film out now. Just from that one shot posted above, it looks pretty neat (though I am certainly biased due to my interest in classic automobilia).
I had no idea that Steven Spielberg ‘ s directorial debut was for a TV movie.
He did the Joan Crawford episode in the Night Gallery movie/pilot even earlier, M.C.S. 69-70. I just watched it the other night.
Thanks, dweezilaz, that is good to know!
I will have to check that one out, as well.
My first car was a ’68 Valiant four door. Mine was somewhat unusual in that it was fully equipped with 318, disc brakes, air conditioning, tinted windows, and 14″ wheels. I had that car for several years, multiple girlfriends, and many miles. So I have a soft spot for these.
This one is a strange combination of colors. I suspect the interior was changed out or the paint color was changed. But then again, you could order a wide variety of options and combinations back then.
Price seems high for a valiant four door. There just doesn’t seem to be any demand. I am curious to see if it sells.
– John
My guess is on a repaint, although it was the “anything goes 1970’s”, so it may even have been ordered that way. I once saw a factory correct ‘67 or ‘68 Mustang coupe ordered in Tahoe turquoise with a full red interior. Changing out the dash and door panels seems like more work than it would be worth in the end vs a quick respray.
That sure would have been a lot of work to repaint all the metal surfaces green and then either find the interior parts, of which there are many, or paint those as well.
It is more likely this was ordered from the factory like this. It was able to be done in the ’70s.
Couldn’t agree with you more,Steve! No matter the price of the car,if a percentage is going to the SPCA it’s a valuable option. 🐶😺
Hmm, many questions here. I believe that in 1972 the slant six would have been a 225, maybe a 198, not sure, but i think the 170 was retired several years earlier. The 2bbl carb was an option in the late 70s, though it might have been an owners later addition, that would be a benefit. It would be nice to see a few engine shots here.
Right Billy, absolutely right, even about the 2 bbl. 1969 was the last year for the 170.
Duel….Steven Spielberg’s first movie. Not an especially good one either.
My fave….and next Carrie….with John boy flipping that SS396………
In South Africa they were known as a Chrysler Valiant. I bought a 1968 Rebel with 85,000 miles on the clock and did a further 60,000 miles, most with a folding caravan on the back, without anything other than normal maintenance. Great car.
Outlast any honda/toyota built from the same era. Classic.
Dear BF’ers- RELAX! It’s for a charity for cripe’s sakes.Go outside, take a walk and calm down.
Even taking into account the 10% for the charity, it is still a very high price for this car.
They are accepting offers.
I own a 73 dart custom 4 door. 318 4v 904 with gear vendors. 83/4 3:23 posi. Front and rear sway bars factory heavy duty shocks. Motor factory aluminum Mopar intake. 340 cam and exhaust. I’ve got $25,000 in cash reciepts. This car can do 140 plus for hrs. Like to see new cars cringe, when I fly by. I’m 65yr old. Never sell it. Tight as a whip. Corners like a Porsche. Everone loves it. Ugly colors .tan with honey gold interior. 7000$ to do inside of car alone. I do all my own work
. Restoring cars 50yrs. 1st 4 door I ever liked. I swap 4:56 gears and say good bye to big blocks at drag strip. True sleeper. Enjoy these cars while you can. 1 Will
I love this car. The Dart/Valiant were just honest workhorses. No fancy stuff, but could run forever. Weird color combos were not that unusual back then. I had a 1969 Dart Custom sedan that was pale yellow with a dark green interior. The price does seem a little high, but the seller is accepting offers. The market will determine the value, as it always does.
Yellow and green are complements of each other, not really weird at all.
Brown and avocado green is another story.
That seat style and upholstery available in blue green black or gold.
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Plymouth/1972%20Plymouth/1972%20Plymouth%20Duster-Valiant-Barracuda/1972%20Plymouth%20Duster-Valiant-Barracuda-09.html
What might have happened was that this was specially ordered by the dealer as a loss leader. One to use in the ads at a crazy low price. To avoid the color combination they would steer you to a higher priced more color complementary vehicle.
The dealer would count on no one wanting a car assembled like that, but since they had the mark enter the lot looking for that low priced deal, the car had done what was intended: hook the bottom feeders and sell them on low monthly payments for a “better” car.
That is what Cal Worthington did.
Some of us still refer to the good side of a car with a good side and a bad side as the cal Worthington side.
I remember a story told that the salesmen were told that if they actually sold the advertised car, they were fired.
Well, buy yourself a rat, throw some money at a new paint job & bodywork, add in some interior work, then add in some more for incidentals to get it running right, and see what you come to…..Yeah, you might save a grand or two, but for that amount, why go through the BS? If there’s one thing I learned in my 35 years of putzing around with cars, sometimes it’s just better to fork over the money & just start driving it……
I’m not sure that this color combination could be ordered from the Factory. I have a feeling that the original color was Lime Green, with the White Top and matching interior. It’s a little bizarre, but do it anyway for the animals.
As many others have stated back then you could order what you wanted. I had a hearing aid beige 73 Dart with a green interior, with yellow/black/white plaid cloth inserts. All factory.
I agree that the paint color has almost certainly been changed. Brown (or gold, as the seller states) would not have been available with the green interior. And the engine is almost certainly the 225 slant 6 with a 1 barrel Holley. I think I see some underdash a/c outlets and i don’t think you could get a/c with the 198. Too bad the seller didn’t include any underhood shots or, even better, a shot of the fender tag.
Yes it was.
This is a perfect example of my I call “BS” when people say America never built a quality small car! Valiants, Darts, Falcons etc were great cars but at the time, Americans only bought huge cars so how can anyone blame Detroit for not building good small cars?? They were available!!
Whenever I see the interior of one of these I can just feel that overboosted Mopar power steering that gave the driver no more sense of the road than the radio knobs! Aside from that these were great little cars. At the time the Slant-six and Torqueflite were the gold standard for reliability and longevity. These cars will run practically forever with very little fuss if you can keep the tinworm away.
Now there is my first real car in green! I LOVED my 1970 Dart 318 4speed with race stickers and 4-barrel carb. Almost killed myself several times in that car. Good thing I was rear-ended… ended my race car driver tendencies… LOL
Do t like the brown exterior but I would jump in this for the right price and location. Cool car!
Hope with a little job change I will be getting my mom’s old 67 more door back in action ! Somebody write a check – hell it’s deductible !
Door jams same colour. That is original colour. Mopar had some strange color combos in 70s.
5 digit on VIN is a C. That means its a 225.
Nice car in nice shape
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a side post or surface of a doorway, window, or fireplace.
a columnar mass or pillar in a mine or quarry.
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jamb is sometimes confused with jam by many on this page.
This is a cute car, but there is no “next level” to take it to. Very durable but not particularly fun to drive, especially with the six. Certainly not worth the asking price. It’s a neat vintage piece, but so is a 1972 Oster blender. $2,500 would be about right.
Nice looking car. I’ve always been interested in the 1970-72 Plymouth Valiant. My older brother had a Plymouth Duster, a sporty coupe version of the Valiant. I’m too young to remember the car itself, but I remember seeing pics of the car.