Rare Aussie 4-Speed: 1981 Chrysler CM Valiant Station Wagon

I was only thinking the other day that it has been a long time since we’ve seen an Australian classic at Barn Finds. Then, lo and behold, this 1981 Chrysler CM Valiant Station Wagon appeared to catch my attention. It represented the last hurrah for Chrysler Australia as the Head Office in Detroit sold the entire concern to Mitsubishi. It presents extremely well and could potentially be one of the best remaining examples left on the planet. The seller has listed the Valiant here on eBay in Frances, South Australia. They set their price at A$20,000 OBO, equating to approximately US$14,300 using the current exchange rate.

At the dawn of the 1960s, General Motors was in an enviable position Down Under. It commanded 50% of the new car market, with Ford, Chrysler, and some European models sharing the remaining 50%. The problem for Ford and Chrysler was that they were assembling models imported in CKD form, which was expensive. Ford launched the Falcon in 1961 as an affordable alternative, and Chrysler Australia unveiled the Valiant by Chrysler in 1962. Suddenly, Holden had some genuine competition on its hands. Both were based on North American models, but were entirely produced in Australia to circumvent a harsh tariff system. However, Chrysler Australia yearned for a unique model, achieving this goal in 1971 with the launch of the VH Valiant. What nobody knew at the time was that, despite ongoing updates during the 1970s, various circumstances meant that this series would be the last produced by Chrysler Australia. The final update of the VH platform occurred in 1978, designated the CM Valiant model. Although the body was familiar, it featured more modern styling and some engineering changes below the surface to improve driving dynamics and fuel economy. Although the seller doesn’t specify a model year for this Wagon, the “Mitsubishi” designation on the Trim Tag suggests that it should be a 1981 model. It presents extremely well for its age, with its Tiger Yellow paint holding an impressive shine. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and while some underside surfaces wear a dusting of dry surface corrosion, the supplied images confirm that this classic is free from penetrating rust. The trim and glass are excellent, and the Wagon rolls on a set of the company’s locally-produced sports wheels.

Readers outside North America may be unaware that Chrysler’s Hemi technology extended beyond the mighty V8. Chrysler Australia’s early models featured the venerable slant-six and V8s, but the introduction of the 245ci and 265ci sixes in 1970 marked an important milestone for the company. These motors were developed locally and feature Hemi cylinder heads. The 265, in particular, became a formidable weapon capable of producing extraordinary power and torque. Emission regulations during the mid-1970s hurt the motor, but it was still a good thing. How good? The 265 in this Wagon would have produced 162hp when the vehicle was shiny and new. The Ford Falcon featured similar physical dimensions and was considered the Valiant’s natural rival. Its 250ci six delivered 126hp, giving the CM a sizeable performance advantage. This Valiant has a couple of aces up its sleeve that will improve its performance potential. The first owner teamed the Hemi with a four-speed manual transmission at a time when most buyers selected the three-speed unit or the TorqueFlite. It also features an extremely rare split-system exhaust, which may have unlocked a few additional ponies. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition that runs and drives extremely well. The seller sometimes uses it as a daily driver, which is an intriguing prospect for some enthusiasts.

The seller’s interior shots aren’t great, but piecing them together tells us much about its overall condition. Slipcovers make it impossible to assess the front bucket seats, but the back seat is free from rips and tears. Someone cut the front door trims to accommodate speakers for the underdash CD stereo, but that appears to be the only change. The carpet looks pretty respectable for its age, the dash is clean, and the pad is crack-free. Of course, the fewer issues the better, because the rarity of these classics can make sourcing trim pieces difficult. I did locate at least one company producing replacement seatcovers, but they are expensive. Some enthusiasts would still consider them a worthwhile investment, ensuring that the Wagon presents at its best.

It is no secret that Chrysler was in deep financial trouble at the end of the 1970s, and it required some drastic action to save the organization from complete collapse. One of the strategies was to sell Chrysler Australia, with Mitsubishi becoming the new owner in 1980. It would have been easy and understandable if Mitsubishi had immediately ceased producing the Valiant, but it remained on sale for almost two years for one very sound financial reason. The corporate purchase included an enormous stockpile of Valiant parts, allowing Mitsubishi to build the Valiant range for little more than labor costs. That provided an exceptional return on its investment, and Mitsubishi followed that path until the parts shelves were empty. The initial production tally was relatively low in a “big picture” sense, and the Valiant soon disappeared from the Australian motoring landscape. Automotive technology had overtaken it, and ongoing development during the 1980s saw many CM Valiants discarded as consumers focused on the latest and greatest that money could buy. Therefore, this 1981 Wagon is extremely rare, and with the marque enjoying a strong following in the classic community, I don’t think it will take long for this survivor to find a new home.