I have been sitting here trying to decide whether there is anything sadder than seeing a beautifully restored classic car for sale where the owner has passed away before they could enjoy the fruits of their labor. That is the case with this 1963 Plymouth Valiant V200 Convertible. The deceased owner poured his heart and soul into this gem but only accrued a few miles behind the wheel before he passed away. His family has entrusted the seller to list the car to settle his estate. It presents beautifully and would suit a buyer seeking a turnkey classic. The Valiant is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has reached $10,211 in this No Reserve auction. Once again, Barn Finder Larry D has demonstrated his innate ability to spot wonderful classics for us. So, thank you for that, Larry.
It appears that the deceased owner purchased this Convertible new, and it served as his daily driver for many years. He decided to treat the car to a restoration, and no aspect escaped his attention. The fact that it has been garage-kept for its entire life means that it has managed to remain rust-free. He ensured that the panels were laser straight before applying a fresh coat of Signal Red paint. This shines magnificently, with no flaws or defects visible in the supplied photos. He added a new black soft-top, which, along with the glass, is in first-class condition. The exterior trim and chrome shine as beautifully as the paint, with no signs of corrosion or discoloring. The narrow whitewall tires add the perfect finishing touch to this exterior. There’s no doubt that this classic would turn heads wherever it goes.
Lifting the hood of this Plymouth reveals its numbers matching slant-six engine. Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t indicate which version it is, and the photos aren’t clear enough to determine whether this is the 170ci or 225ci powerplant. Bolted to the back of the slant-six is a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. With the smaller engine, this convertible should be capable of covering the ¼ mile in 20.5 seconds. If we are looking at the 225ci version, that figure drops to 18.2 seconds. Things generally present well here, although the overspray on the intake is disappointing. However, looking from a “glass half full” perspective, cleaning that would give the buyer something to do during the cold winter months. The overall presentation doesn’t flatter to deceive because the seller says this classic runs and drives perfectly. That makes it ready to hit the road with the next owner behind the wheel.
If this Plymouth’s exterior presents superbly, its interior serves up more of the same. It appears that all of the upholstered surfaces have been replaced or restored, and they make a stunning visual statement. The seats are upholstered in black vinyl with contrasting red piping. This feature does a wonderful job of tying the interior finish to the exterior, and it appears to be flawless. There is no evidence of any wear or physical damage and no signs of wrinkling. That is hardly surprising since the owner only managed to accrue 465 miles behind the wheel before passing away. The carpet may have some dirty marks, but this could also be a trick of the light in the photos. The dash looks perfect and would not look out of place in a showroom. There is no wear on the wheel, and the factory radio remains intact. The next owner could drive this car with their head held high because this interior presents so beautifully.
This 1963 Plymouth Valiant Convertible has a sad backstory, but there is now a chance for somebody to shine a ray of light on the situation. It is a stunning classic that needs nothing, and I’m sure its next owner will drive it with pride. Since the seller listed it for sale, it has generated plenty of interest and has already attracted thirty bids. I hope that whoever buys this classic appreciate it for what it is and cares for it in the manner it deserves. That is what the deceased owner would have wanted, and it seems fitting under these circumstances.
Wow.. that really hurts after the owner just put 495 miles after a restoration beautifully done. Now if memory serves me correct. The 170 cubic inch was blue. The 198 was red. Then the 225 came out later and they painted that one orange. Just trying to remember when I was working at Chrysler talking to the seniors at that time told me. The only way they could tell the difference since it was no decals tell you what motor it was…. That must be fun to drive with manual steering and manual brakes but with the top down who cares! 😊🐻🇺🇸
Only 170 and 225 /6 in 1963.
The 170 was replaced by the 198 as the standard engine in 1970.
Truth.
Thanks Dave for the engine update. 🐻
Big Bear: after forty years with a 63 Signet and it’s non boosted brakes, steering and a three speed on the column, after awhile one doesn’t notice the lack of those things.
It requires attention and deliberation. But yeah…. all the windows down, joy rides outside Tucson ….. priceless.
Bless the guy who passed.
Can’t tell by the photo, but there is a rubber hose going from the water pump to the underside of the head. If it is under 2” it’s a 170. If 3” it’s a 225. This is a beautiful car, hope it finds a good home so the late owner can look down and smile.
WoW that frnt end opening shot helped me think it was my 2nd gen American
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rambler_American
see red vert in 1st pic (from obtuse angle like above).
And I hada valent (’62) and a dart (66) both wagons, but they have the same style till after the C pillar.
Same can happen to me w/a chevy II & falcon…
I had a 67 Dodge Dart convertible. I could turn the 4 way flashers on, the turn signal on, step on the brake pedal and run the windshield wipers, the radio and the top without the key in the ignition!
Dad had a ’68 Ford. We would play the radio by applying the brake and pushing the 4-way in part way.
There were “cheats” way before video games and computers…ever “nickel” a pay phone?
As kids my dad had a 68 Ford that did the same thing.
I could play the radio the same way in my dad’s ‘66 Coronet 500 hardtop – without applying the brakes, the radio would go on and off in zinc with the flashers.
Thats one beautuful automobile, a reminder to us all to make a will, so our cars dont end up as auction fodder, give it to someone that appreciates it…none of us built these cars by ourselves, theres always someone…
A well-known collector hereabouts died a few years ago, and everything went to Mecum Las Vegas, many cars selling for–if not pennies, then dimes–on the dollar. Seems his family couldn’t wait to dump the cars as quickly as possible. You can’t count on family to do the right thing. I got the sense that the family–especially the wife!–hated the cars and the fact that the old man had spent so much time and money on them. Sad.
I can relate. Y’all get up early the day my wife plans the yard sale because everything automotive goes first and I promise you she’ll be selling it cheap.
I have a feeling this might just be one of the best bargains to ever roll through BAT.
No it won’t be ‘cheap’ but it will have incredible value For the money as a vintage driver. Some of Chrysler‘s best engineering here In a simple super eye appealing package. Kind of like spotting the puppy you weren’t even looking to take home and The next thing you know….. :)
Now, now, before you start yelling Miss Hathaway,( crickets) she had red Dodge convertibles. The story is a bit sad, but fills these pages time and time again, it’s how the old car hobby rejuvenates itself, or at least used to. SOMEONE usually wanted dads pride and joy. BUT,,the old man’s gone, and probably left them with a pile of health related debt( been there) he’ll never know we made a fortune on his labor. Sometimes the family has no choice.
Valiants weren’t exactly known for their convertibles, generally, the top of the line for most makes. More for their “point A to B” as cheaply as possible cars. Heck, sun visors were extra. A car like this, makes perfect sense today. Okay, maybe not in Minnesota, but for top down cruising, in a sane manner, you can’t go wrong here.
Oh, before I forget, price out of line, blah, blah,,, very cool car.
Wow just wow. What a nice little Valiant. The interior really sets the colors off, and the red piping makes it complete. I’m usually not a fan of 60s American convertibles. My father was a Plymouth man and this is the type of car he might bring home for my mom. Who cares if it’s a big 6 or little 6 your just out for a drive. This will bring top bucks for the owners, and the buyer will have a nice car he can pass on if he chooses.
I have always loved these. (rag or hard top) I can’t imagine a convert. and an auto trans. behind a 170. I thought all slant six Mopars were red until the 194 came out. (Have had many 1964-1969 Mopars) VERY NICE CAR! But wrong time for me right now.
Thanks Adam! If nothing else, this is a great reminder to us old folks, drive the wheels off that old classic sitting in the garage and enjoy it while you can. Our time is always a little shorter than we’d like and driving time might be even shorter. I read this and went right out and took the old Benz for a drive. The Leaf can stay in the yard today.
Cute car. My Sister bought a ‘64 Valiant Convertible in about 1967. Also red, but with a white top and two tone red bucket seat interior. Super 225” (said so on the air cleaner) A blast on a sunny Summer day. Unfortunately, sunny days weren’t that common in the Seattle area. Top leaked like a sieve. Mushrooms on the floor of the back seat in fall, and cute little mini ice rinks in the winter. My Brother in Law called it a 90mph engine in a 45mph car. But fun on a sunny day.
My sister bought a ’64 Signet convertible in ’67, too. Hers was medium blue with a black bucket seat interior and black top. While a ‘top of the line’ Valiant, the powertrain was stripper all the way: 170 with three on the tree (standard).
They liked to rust. I did rust repair work on it and got it painted in ’68. She (or should I say her soon to be ex husband) sold it on me in ’70 – I saw it again in ’71 and it was a rusty mess again.
Wouldn’t mind having one, but my ’64 ‘cuda has to suffice for now.
It’s neat, but you better be careful. It looks like it got stuffed back together in a hurry. Over spray on the engine and zip ties on the wiring. What else did they skimp on?
It’s attention to detail that sets a car above.
In 1963 ,Plymouth’s red was called “red” not “signal red ” Other than the odd seat upholstery choice it looks like a nice little cruiser.
Regarding the overspray on the manifold that’s been mentioned a couple of times, Chrysler painted the engines after they were mostly assembled so it’s not unusual to see this. Correctly restored cars usually duplicate the recklessness that went into assembly line production cars.
Struggling to control lust here, made a bit easier knowing that my Better Half (okay, Better Three Quarters) would have me sleeping in it. First one of these I saw was the same color, and bought by a friend of ours for her older daughter. It had been restored to a similar degree for significant money, but said daughter was aghast that Mommy expected her to drive an OLD CAR! I was too broke then to even think seriously of making an offer, but I recall that the previously mentioned spouse was similarly aghast. As it turned out, the Mommy just kept the car for herself.
Good for Mommy.
Daughter would never have appreciated it.
Like her bicycle.
Nice Valiant. I’ve owned three ’63 Valiant sedans. A friend had a ’63 convert for decades, his first car as the second owner. Very enjoyable cars, easy to work on even for someone like me with limited skills. This one has definitely had quarter panel work, contours are off. This is noticeable behind the left wheel opening but especially in the arch of the right wheel opening. It is squared off and should have a gentle curve.
Possibly the perfect vintage rally car.
I do not think I’d want to rally a convertible. With a hard top, if things get that little bit past OOPSIE! you can probably roll it back over. My favorite vintage rallymobile would be a Hillman Husky with the Alpine 1.7-liter engine. All I’d have to do is actually find one!