The Valiant was Plymouth’s entry into the compact car market in 1960. The similar Dodge Lancer followed the next year. Styling of the vehicles was a bit unorthodox (but in line with the rest of Chrysler at the time), so sales didn’t mirror that of the Ford Falcon or Chevrolet Nova. A redesign came in 1963, and the public responded positively. That was also the first year for a convertible, and this example is in fairly rare company at 16,000 assemblies (when did you last see one?). Located in Nevada City, California, this “almost a daily driver” is available here on craigslist for $5,500.
With the oddball styling gone in 1963, Plymouth sold 43% more Valiants than the year before. And Dodge scrapped the Lancer name and moved the Dart moniker downstream instead, and they also saw positive results. A Slant-Six was still the only engine choice (until a V8 came in mid-1964), available in displacements of 170 or 225 CI. The seller’s drop-top has one of the two, paired with a push-button automatic transmission (Chrysler continued with that format until 1965).
We’re told this car originated in California, which should be one reason it doesn’t have any rust. The paint isn’t that shiny and there is a small dent in one rocker panel, but it certainly looks okay and sports a new canvas top. The odometer has rolled over, so the vehicle may have 173,000 miles, yet it runs well but doesn’t stop so well (that part needs work). This convertible is a project that the seller has decided to move away from to focus on a ’48 Ford.
New to the Plymouth are the upholstery, carpeting, exhaust, battery, rebuilt carburetor, and tires. If you notice any missing exterior trim pieces, they’re in the trunk. The title is MIA, so the car will be sold with a bill of sale. If you were looking for a daily driver, that’s also a drop-top; this Mopar may only take a couple of weekends of work to get there. The price likely reflects the missing title. And thanks to “Barney” for another clever tip!
When’s the last time I saw one? How about never. This would be a nice little runabout for the price. Slant Six is bullet proof if uninspiring. Fix the brakes and go cruising.
Don’t just fix the brakes. Upgrade them. They were a poor excuse when new. (I know, I have had several “small Mopars of this vintage.) They will not hold up to today’s highway speeds. And you might as well upgrade the wheels also. 13″ AND 14″ tires are getting hard to find in a known quality. So when upgrading the brakes, also upgrade the wheel bolt pattern to 5×4.5″ which will give you tremendous wheel availability. (These came with 5×4” bolt circle which has faded into oblivion.)
Actually NO on the wheels…..there are more 5 on 4″ wheels now out there than ever before. As far as dumping a lot of money into a “freeway” crusier – just do what you can – to tool around the city – it’s still at least a grand – $1000 – or more over with the “bill of sale”……I also own many of these Abodies and proud owner of a late 1964 convert with factory V/8…..owned it since the 80’s and never had an issues with the 9” brakes but I do my own work…..
Agreed, @FoxOwner. Put the trim back on, deal with the enumerated issues and enjoy the wind (in my case) on your scalp. Performance will be modest if it’s the 170 but that’s not the point. Great price for the fun factor.
My favorite year body style Valiant. Remove the grille, paint the core support and radiator flat black, reinstall the grille, swap to white stripe tires and it would look great. It’s close enough to me, and the price is not terrible. So it is very tempting! If a manual transmission, I may not be able to resist.
Price reduced to $4800.
The “missing title” explains why they identify this as a ‘63. It’s a ‘64.
When did titles become optional scraps of paper?
When many many states stopped requiring titles after they get older.
Oops. Egg on face. My blurry eyes saw a ‘64 grill. It is a ‘63. My bad. 😔
The write-up is okay, but the other car in the garage is a ’49 Ford as stated in the original write-up on Craigslist. Not a ’48 Ford. I forgot how good looking this ’63 Valiant is. Too bad the ww’s aren’t period correct. It never looks right on a ’62 or newer car, even though Studebaker decided to install them on theirs for whatever reason.
The Valiant’s little garage buddy looks like a 1949 Ford to me… not a ’48.
A/C controls on the dash, no compressor? If I was in the States I’d readily buy this. The very first car I owned was a 1960 Valiant. Then I had a 1966 Valiant for years. When I stopped driving it, it would just sit in the street. When someone needed a car, they used it. Never failed to start. I think I had it for more than ten years.
Those are not A/C controls. This car IIRC has dealer installed heater.