Taming the excess of Virgil Exner’s original Valiant design took about four years, the effect of that “taming” amounting to lower-profile wedges, swales, rolls, and protrusions. They’re still there – just in subdued form. Despite its economy niche, the Valiant’s “Torsion-Aire” suspension was touted as providing a better ride than its competitors, and the well-insulated, unibody construction kept the cabin tight and quiet. Meanwhile, this example from 1964 – advertised here on craigslist along with its many extra parts – is a member of the best-selling vintage of all Valiants. Starting in 1965, sales began to sink. If you want to grab a Mopar project still sporting the remnants of Exner’s styling, the price is $2200; take a trailer to Sparks, Nevada to pack it all up. Thanks to Zappenduster for the family-friendly tip!
Yes, it’s a mess, with the radiator hose to nowhere and the fan sitting on the fender wall. Thanks to a bad water pump, this car hasn’t run in years, but packaged up with the car is a later model slant six with a granny gear transmission and even a 273 cu. in. V8 with a 904 Torqueflite if you’re particularly ambitious. Other extras: oversize intake and exhaust valves, cam and lifters, a new TTI Slant 6 exhaust system, and a cast iron Super Six 2-bbl intake manifold.
The damaged rear fender needs to be fixed. For the price I hope that brake brick comes with. The missing trim won’t be easy to source, and we’re not shown the interior, so who knows what might be missing from there. These wagons came in two seat configurations – a front/rear arrangement with a large cargo area, or a three-seat arrangement with a rear-facing third row. Two trim levels were available – the V-100 and the V-200 – but no matter the trim level, this was the cheapest wagon sold in America.
What ever happened to roll-down rear windows? That’s a vintage feature I appreciate. The rear bumper’s seen a hard tap, and unless you can find a replacement, fixing it will cost a pretty penny. Speaking of money, Valiant wagons don’t come to market often, but this driver-quality ’64 sold for $7450 about two years ago, leaving minimal scope for restoration expenses. What would you pay for this car ‘n parts package?
We see what you did there-clever play on words, Michelle.
Seen this thing just sitting in the driveway for years.
IMO the owner has BJ TV show dreams about the money it’ll bring.
In the mid 70s when I started driving, cars like this that ran and drove were a hundred bucks, cars in this condition were $50 or junked. A grand, 15 hundred at the most, get it running and drive it till it craps out again, then scrap it.
Cool looking project. If only more pictures were posted. I think most of us would like to see as much of a car as possible. I know I would.
About the only thing worthwhile are the engine parts. The slant six was a damn good engine and bolt on speed parts would be nice on someone else’s project. Man, I bet the neighbors just LOVE to see that POS in the driveway.
Slants are cheap to come by and not really rare – 1960 to past the 80’s so many around – and like yours everyone has an opinion….
1964 was the last year for the push-button trans. In 1982 I bought a 64 wagon just like this one with a hard engine knock. I took the evening auto class at the local community college ( I worked there, the class was free). The instructor watched carefully as he guided me through a complete rebuild. He was a former employee of Petty Enterprises and knew all kinds of little tricks! Anyway, it was my daily driver for years. Loved it! Sold it years later for $800. If Nevada wasn’t on the other side of the world from NC, I would buy it right unseen. Such is nostalgia!
Junk
not quite… yet, sir.
See my entry @ today’s ‘other 1” (the vert). This looks almost identical to the ’66 wagon that took the trip (’64 2.8 motor inserted). It’s almost the color too.
Yeah, 75$ car in the day. May B 500 $ now? Lots to say here (good’n bad) but I’ll go w/the ’85 fox wagon I have now – about the same wheel base, 3.8 Essex, AOD transmission. Only thing better? (for me) is K-car due to FWD. I dont do morpar any more tho (use the 4 cyl efi/turbo?).
Same trim as a 4 door and there are plenty of those…..REALLY rare is the station wagon only taillights……and anyone notice the not often found on these A-bodies – factory power brakes !
Ah Michelle, you caught me with the title.
While flipping through the headlines, “Not quite a Prince” captured my attention. I said, “that’s gotta be Michelle.”
So I really don’t care about the Valient, but I do care about how you present it.
“The radiator hose to nowhere” got me laughing so my coffee spilled on my computer… again.
“For the price I hope that brick brake come with,” is just pure joy.
Someday I hope someone would interview all the writers so we can find out your backgrounds and how you got into cars. Now that would be fun and your story alone would be worth the price of admission.
Thank you for making an old man laugh and spill my coffee… again.
No wonder all the keys on my keyboard stick.
I can think of worse ways to spend $2k…. Looks like a fun project. Drop in a healthy 340, an A-833 four speed and a narrow 8-3/4” rear axle….. unfortunately the interior is probably toast, but still…. Looks pretty dry & relatively straight. Wonder how bad the floors are?
Roasting in the desert, the turkey thermometer has definitely popped on the interior. Probably best for the elderly & young children that no interior photos were posted.
Other than that it looks solid. Windshields and most mechanical parts can be sourced (maybe not the pushbutton transmission solenoid).