Many American buyers began downsizing their new car purchases during the early 1960s. This was partly driven by the success of imports like the Volkswagen Beetle, and both buyers and manufacturers seemed to want to join the party. Chrysler’s contribution was its First Generation Plymouth Valiant and Dodge Lancer. Our feature car is an unrestored and original 1962 Plymouth Valiant V200 that presents exceptionally well for its age. The seller thought they had secured a sale, but the deal fell over at the last minute. Therefore, they have relisted it here on Craigslist in West Seneca, New York. They set their price at $13,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L. for spotting it.
Plymouth introduced its First Generation Valiant in 1960, and the overall styling makes it unsurprising that Virgil Exner strongly influenced its design. Fins had virtually disappeared from the new car market, but the Valiant features a canted version of that receding trend. This car rolled off the line during the final year of First Generation production, and it presents beautifully in Code T Sandstone. The paint shines well for an unrestored survivor, while the panels are extremely straight. There is no evidence of rust, with the seller stating it had been a Southern car until last year. That makes the chances that it is rust-free pretty high. The wheels have received a color change to contrasting Red, and if the new owner isn’t thrilled by the look, returning them to their original shade should be straightforward. The trim is in excellent condition, and there are no visible glass issues.
If this Valiant’s exterior makes a positive impact, its interior ramps up that impression. Its classy two-tone vinyl upholstery is almost flawless, with no rips or tears. The condition seems to support the seller’s mileage claim, and it appears the back seat has rarely seen an occupant. The gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings, and the painted surfaces are spotless. There are no aftermarket additions, with the Valiant retaining its factory pushbutton AM radio.
I have consistently rated Chrysler’s slant-six as one of the best pushrod sixes in automotive history. They developed a reputation for bulletproof reliability, and extracting impressive horsepower from a modest package is achievable without spending a fortune. This Valiant features the 225ci unit the original owner paired with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. It is not a high-performance model, but its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 17.9 seconds shows a clean set of heels to the opposition. The Ford Falcon Futura is a prime example, with an auto-equipped example taking 20 seconds to cover the same distance. The seller claims this Valiant has a genuine 31,400 miles on the clock, although they don’t mention verifying evidence. It rolls on a new set of Coker wide whitewall tires and has been meticulously maintained throughout its life. It runs and drives perfectly, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
This 1962 Plymouth Valiant V200 is like any classic car because it won’t appeal to everyone. However, it is in undeniably exceptional condition and needs nothing but a new owner. They will drive away in a vehicle that is sure to turn heads and receive favorable comments wherever it goes. The seller’s price looks highly competitive in the current market, so I don’t think it will take long to find a new home.
Maybe the deal fell through when the buyer’s computer got the photos?
A very similar car, a 1960 Valiant with low mileage as well, a beautiful white with a red interior that spent it life in California sold for a whopping $3,400, on hemmings auction site last week. Asking $13,500 for a similar vehicle with a beige interior from the rust belt seems like a stretch.
Now dat’s funny!
er, scott m, not Shot em lol
My parents had a 61 Valiant 4dr white and it got us everywhere. I know my father had to floor it every time getting on the Cross Bronx expressway. But he was happy with it. But as time went on the push button auto was having issues. I remember he had to go reverse then hit the D button to go forward. Never knew what happened to it. Anyway this one is in great shape and has the original Mopar decal on the heater box . That’s really cool. $13,500 may sound crazy. But it’s a survivor low mileage. Maybe $11,000 and don’t see rust on it. I wish there was pictures underneath. To me this is museum piece. I thought the style was different not ugly or fugly. I am a Mopar man I my family had plenty of Mopars. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Just for the record, the first Valiant wasn’t a Plymouth, it was just a Valiant. If you look close at the side profile of this Valiant, and then look at the side profile of the “downsized full sized” Dodge and Plymouth of 62, there’s a strong resemblance. Just thought I’d throw that in there. Funky styling, but Chrysler wrote the book on funky styling, although I do like some of it. Not sure if this Valiant will snag a buyer at this price, but who knows, it’s definitely a well preserved beauty.
Did it ever occur to you that maybe cows have feelings too? Shame on you.
My sister had one of these … IF I remember corectly the distributor was down low on that slant6 … so, we carried a can of WD40 for when it rained … also remember push button transmission … cool for its time.
Speaking of a cow’s anus Blake: What a load of Bull…
I think it’s amazing after all these years it’s not hammered all over, the interior is real good. I like the red wheels too, my ’58 has red wheels
Hmm, you sure put some thought into this for someone with nothing really to say. No wonder your opinion doesn’t matter. Rather than clog up a great thread with an answer to your stupid post, they made half a million of these, I can finally say, you don’t know what comes out of said anus.
what’s up with the air cleaner?
Someone can-opened it so they could hear the throaty one barrel.
Easier to shoot starting fluid into it in very cold weather.
The year, 1970. The car, 1960 Valiant, 14” chrome reverse rear wheels with Ford adapters, Earl Sheib blue. Carload of people, going up a hill. Push on gas. Car sputters. Roll back hill, try again. Same. Pop the hood, the wing nut on the air cleaner is loose, the air cleaner rotates till the “snout” matches perfectly with the angle of the heater box… a perfect vacuum… no air to engine! Check out the scratches on the decal on heater box.
beautiful hi school chum had one in hiskol (’68?) that some 1 ‘threw away’. Quite the artist, she painted a scene from the comic Prince Valiant, in full colors, on the dash. I’d wig out just being in that car w/her (even B4 we got baked on the country rds of our town). Never knew that yrs later/miles away I’d have slanty wagons myself, drive livery for a company that survived on same, even updating to aspen waggys and onto K wagons.
Nother icon w/the krazy ’60/62 1st gen stylin !
First generation Valiant…..I so want this car. My first car was a ’74 Scamp with a 225 and an autobox. Bought it from an elderly man with only 53K on the clock. That car took me everywhere without any complaints. I’d still have the car, but my first ex fiance’s brother ran the engine out of oil (the oil light didn’t work) and I, as a broke college student, couldn’t afford to have the engine replaced and get the car back on the road.
This Valiant would look cool next to my ’77 Saab 99 GL five door. If you squint, the two sort of look the same. Ugly to some, but I loved the first gen Valiant.
Now, if only a biiig pile of cash would fall into my lap…….
All original with Dodge Dart hubcaps .
I’ve never found cow’s anuses attractive, but I’m of that rare camp of car dudes who actually loved these Valiants at first sight. They were also the first car to have an alternator. I had to test-drive a new one in 1960 as soon as they came out. ‘ Must have scared hell out of the poor salesman accompanying me. It was a stick-shift, “three on the floor”. I was accustomed to four on the floor so at every stoplight, I’d put it in reverse. He politely said nothing every time I did it, and I’d always remember and correct myself at the last minute, but I’ll bet he never forgot it.
The only thing keeping me from buying this car is that by 1962, these first-gen Valiants had lost their spare tire sculpture on the trunk lid. ‘ Gotta have that!
From the get-go, I found these cars to be really beautiful – especially the four-door ones. I hated the two-door ones, and the station wagons looked really weird to me too. My vision back then was that Chrysler should have built this as a compact luxury car – with all the appointments we associated with luxury cars. ‘ Think we had to wait for the Ford Granada for that concept to come to fruition. And then the Seville, nearly 20 years after the Valiant.
In this one day’s email from Barnfinds, I find a Fifth Avenue, a Diplomat, and a first-gen Valiant – all on the same historic day! BE STILL MY HEART! Hey Mom, can I buy all three? Huh? Can I? Can I?
OMG, when I wrote the above, I hadn’t even noticed the Studebaker, the Cord or the ’54 DeSoto!!!!!! This is entirely too much to handle in one day…
Especially the DeSoto. This was the 2nd year for this design and the Hemi DeSoto. This 13 year-old kid thought the DeSotos and Chryslers of this design were the most gorgeous things on the planet when they first came out.
I’m totally saturated, deep in Automotive Wonder.
This guy I am sure hates Citroens also. Bet, though, he drives a SUV and appreciates their “beauty”.
Scott, sorry for your personal feelings about cow anusi. Seen a good psychologist for those latent feelings? lol
Karen, I think you are thinking of Blake’s issues- I’m okay with cow butts as long as I aint underneath at the wrong time!
I’m thinking you have a cow’s anus fetish.
Hey SAAB girl, one of my 4 SAABs is a 99 5-door, been all over the east coast; the rest are 900’s, just wish they had continued exporting 5-door to the U.S. I think of the Valiants as great cars. I couldn’t talk my dad out of selling his, would have it to this day1
Charles–
What year is your 99?? Mine’s Dorado brown with a slushbox and a mustard yellow interior. She’s and around town kinda gal…..driving her on the highway causes loud ear ringing (autobox handcuffs the engine).Also have a ’78 99 Turbo. Have 5 C900s….’83,’86, ’88 (SPG), ’90 (vert) and another ’90. All but the ’86 are Turbos and all are two doors. The final four are all newer..’95 900 SE-T and three real 9.3s……two five door SEs and a Viggen.
I started with Chryslers and ended up going Saab…..I still haven’t found anything better than a Saab for everyday use……..
Since you asked .. No it doesn’t…I do though, especially the coupes & wagons. Certainly more attractive than similar aged & plain looking Falcon from Ford
I WAS indeed underneath a cows butt at the wrong time. Mystery solved. I will never forget the sight of that cows anus puckering up and blowing brown mud on me when I was cleaning the stall. I’m pretty sure Exner had something to do with it. His cars prove it