Sometimes taking something practical and making it impractical is cool and different. It is easy to say that this Plymouth Valiant wagon is different, but I wouldn’t say that it’s impractical. Add a big block V8 of your choice and you will have a great looking classic fire-breathing station wagon. With no listed price, this wagon could possibly be a fair deal for someone wanting a unique project. Check out this wild wagon here on craigslist out of Columbus, Ohio. Thanks to reader Darrun for this unique wagon find!
With a uniquely converted one piece tilt front end, this Valiant is no longer limited to small displacement engines. With a shoe horn and some patience, you could shove just about any big block you could get your hands on into the nose of this Valiant. The gasser components consist of a Speedway solid axle kit and an 8 ¾ rear end. A small gasser style fuel tank was fitted to the front of this wagon at one point, so I am unsure of the original gas tank and if it is still in place.
Although a bit barren, I suppose this could be good gasser material? One key missing item is the steering column and steering wheel. There are a set of bucket seats up front and what looks to be an original bench seat in the back. taking a closer look at the drive side, there are a few rot holes in the floor, but the floors look solid overall.
The old school 5 slot mags with the gasser stance really sell this quirky wagon project. With some rust to be found around the rear side windows and in the passenger rear quarter, this wagons overall exterior appearance is very reasonable. I would assume the paint to be original or very old, and the body appears quite straight except for the modified section of the front fenders that pokes outward. Strange, weird, and just plain cool, what engine would you shoehorn into this old Valiant gasser?
Rarely are cars listed for sale on Craigslist without a price a good value.
It might make a cool “gasser” style cruiser to take to shows. First on the list of things to do, scrape off any non-period correct decals/stickers.
Steve R
dang just to far…….
This might make a good gasser but so would a big bowl of chilli and it will only cost you a few freinds, at least the ones within range. Racing is not my thing but best of luck to the guy/gal who wants it.
Gasser?? Unfortunately drag racing is a dying sport…tracks closing all over the place…we lived thru its Golden Age…but wagons like this are a rare breed now too. So I’d drop this thing back down to normal height, keep the tilt front end for uniqueness and ease of working on the engine, and drop a nice built 383 (relatively inexpensive to find and build…) in it, and go cruisin’!!! Wouldn’t be many like this at cruise night!!!
Modern day “gassers” are not race cars. The vast majority, like this car, are built to draw eyes at car shows and cruises. They have a nostalgic drag racing vibe, but that’s as far as it usually goes. The few that do see some track time generally run at nostalgia events against other gassers, grudge night or T&T’s. The few that are raced in a competitive format don’t stand much chance against more modern cars in either index racing or bracket racing and would get slaughtered in a classes with electronics.
You are correct, drag racing isn’t as popular as it was, but it’s not dying. National events are hit and miss in terms of spectator attendance and there aren’t as many top level professional teams as there once were. None of that has any bearing on tracks at the local level, most of which are doing fine. The car counts at Wednesday night races as well as T&T’s and grudge nights are holding steady or increasing from where the participation levels of a few years ago. The main threat to tracks is due to urban encroachment and government oversight, not lack of interest.
Steve R
Absolutely right Steve I’ve been drag racing since the 60’S and still do but you are so right land for development is so valuable now that’s what all the track owner’s see now sell the land for big money and retire much easier than the day to day hassle of running a track thus the resurgence of street racing although I doubt that ever really went away
Not dying being murdered by city councils around the country. When I first got my license in 1969 Oswego Drag strip was the place to go in the Fox Valley west of Chicago. They built new homes around it so then they complained of the noise so it was closed. Same thing happened here in the KC Metro to KCIR drag strip but it was mini mansions that were built around it knowing the track was there but complaints got it closed and turned in to a park. They have been trying for decades to close Byron Race track home of the Wheel Standing Nationals but keep failing. We have a couple 1/8th mile tracks still open and a quarter mile track just reopened this year so it’s far from dead.
Jimmy how far are you from Great Lakes dragstrip? they still run there full quarter mile that’s my home track I think Mondays are the only day their not open they’ll race till the snow flies
Camaro Guy, when I lived in Batavia, Illinois I was only about a hour to 2 hours away but now I live in the Kansas City Metro area. Little far for me to drive now unless I’m visiting family up there.
Sorry Jimmy thought you still lived around the Chicago area I guess that would be a trip for you now
Back in the early 70’s, Byron was my home track. Not fancy but loved it! Gonna have to visit. It’s been years.
Oh H#LL Naw!!!!!! Another Fugly Mopar!!!!
Unless the unibody ‘frame’ is beefed up these a style body’s will not take the torque of a hi horse motor.
Cool find, I would be tempted to build up a 340 dual quad intake, fender well headers and street drive, or convert modern hemi to msd ignition and either a carb or stand alone fuel injection, either way you won’t see another just like it like cars nowadays
That was my first though, 340 / 360 Quads, fenderwell headers and a 5 speed.
as for strips when I was younger we had Islip Speedway, Suffolk Drag way and N.Y. National. All gone and now even E Town is gone. but the local politicians do whine about finding a solution illegal street racing on Long Island. . .
enjoyed several when in orig dress back during their day (valiant, dart and K cars all waggies). Wish it was so equiped today. Never had the ‘bigger’ slant6 all ways the 170.
Now I’m into any of the other 6 cyl – esp Thriftpower (144ci – 300ci, 1960 – ’93’n efi). AND – any mid sz & smaller wagons.
This one’s right in there – $500? my drivetrain?
/OR/
the 2 dor woodie below?
Like it being a wagon and the straight axle but don’t like the extreme height especially the rear. Sit it down some it would look better and be more stable. Grew up.in the days of the gassers but don’t recall them being up in the air so high. Long time ago so maybe I just can’t recall that far back!
Depends who built them, here’s one set up high front and back.
Here’s one set up low in the back and high in the front.
That looks great but doesn’t look as high as the wagon.
If you had a decent engine \ trans combo available on the cheap, and a few other items needed to put this thing together and safe, it could be a fairly unique little ride for shows and cruise nights for a reasonable cost.
My eyes were drawn to the 66(?) Dodge truck in the background!!