Plymouth entered the compact car scene in 1960 with the Valiant. The engineering was period correct, even with the Slant-Six engine. But the styling was a bit weird, which was generally the Chrysler way in those days. Dodge wanted to get into the game in 1961 and rolled out the Lancer, which was a Valiant with different trim here and there. For whatever reason, the Lancer was far less successful than the Valiant and disappeared after two years. This 1962 Lancer is a restored GT that comes with bucket seats. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this Mopar has been available here on Facebook Marketplace for $12,900 for several months. Either it hasn’t sold, or the seller forgot to take the listing down (which happens far too often).
One obvious difference between the Lancer and Valiant is the deck lid. The one on the Lancer did not have a fake spare tire hump in it like the Plymouth. Mechanically, the cars were identical, but you got better trimming with the Dodge as befitting its mid-range status in the Chrysler Corporation ranks. While Plymouth built 300,000 Valiants in 1961-62, Dodge produced 139,000 units. Why was that? Did Dodge not market the Lancer as well as Plymouth did the Valiant? When the compacts were redesigned for 1963, Dodge changed the name of the car to the Dart.
We’re told this Lancer has just 19,000 miles, which means it was the least-used car on the planet back in the day, or the odometer has turned over. The vehicle was restored in 2018 or 2019, so maybe the dial was reset, and that’s the mileage since then. It has the venerable 225 cubic inch “Slant-Six” (these engines are hard to kill), paired with a push-button automatic transmission. The same as in the Plymouth Valiant.
When the seller first listed the car, the asking price was $3,000 higher. Even at the current ask, there’s likely a loss to be incurred if the seller sprung for all of the restoration expenses. This looks like a very nice vehicle and could be one of the better Lancers left. What do you think is a fair amount to pay for a car like this that wasn’t particularly popular when new? BTW, thanks to “Terry” for the tip!
I am shocked at the production numbers Russ quotes on both the Valiant and the Lancer.
Are we to understand that 300K Valiants of this ungainly bodystyle sold in the two model years 1961 and 1962? 150,000 units per model year would be a very good seller in those days. Even Lancer’s 70,000 units per year in those two years would be respectable.
Somehow I just can’t believe they sold that many of these ugly ducklings.
They’re not bad looking in my ever-so-humble opinion. They look different, which is not the same as ugly. I liked the grill on the Valiant better though. These are not classic cars in the sense that early Camaros, Mustangs, and certain other Mopars are, however, and the seller if simply asking too much, even though the car looks great.