Chrysler Valiant VK Regal: the facelifted Valiant of 1975–1976

The Chrysler Valiant VK was produced by Chrysler Australia from October 1975 to October 1976 and was the eleventh Australian-built Valiant series. It replaced the VJ and was essentially a facelift of that car, with revised grilles, tail lamps and badging, and its mainstream saloon and estate model was the Valiant Regal.

Chrysler Valiant VK Regal at a glance

This page is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Chrysler Valiant (VK), which describes the Regal as a model of that series.

History of the Chrysler Valiant VK Regal

A facelift under financial pressure

The VK was introduced in October 1975 in place of the VJ. It had been intended to carry significantly different styling, but this did not happen because of financial constraints, so the car was in effect a facelift with revised grilles, tail lamps and badging. The range was rationalised, with fewer models and options, and the Chrysler name was promoted more strongly: Chrysler badging was displayed prominently on the new cars, and the Charger, previously marketed as the Valiant Charger, became the Chrysler Charger.

The Regal and the rest of the range

The VK was offered as a four-door saloon, a five-door estate, a coupé and a coupé utility. The saloon range began with the Chrysler Valiant Ranger and continued with the Chrysler Valiant Regal in saloon and estate form; above them sat the Chrysler Charger XL and Charger 770, and a Dodge utility was also built. Two hundred Charger White Knight Specials were made on the Charger XL under option code A50, 100 in Arctic White and 100 in Amarante Red.

Engines, equipment and production

The six-cylinder engines received a new Carter carburettor. A vacuum-operated Fuel Pacer was offered as an option, using a flashing light to help the driver avoid wasting fuel; it was first mounted on the right-hand wing and later moved to the instrument panel. The VK also brought a pressure proportioning valve in the rear brake circuit, power-boosted brakes and hazard warning lights, and its indicator, headlamp dipping and flashing and wiper controls were grouped on a steering column stalk, the first multi-purpose stalk fitted by any of the big three Australian makers, the others being Ford and Holden. The engine range covered 215, 245 and 265 cu in sixes and 318 and 360 cu in V8s, with three-speed manual, four-speed manual and three-speed automatic gearboxes. In July 1976 the 215 and the 360 were dropped to meet the ADR27A emissions rules, the 215 being replaced by a low-compression version of the 245.

VK production came to 11,722 saloons, 4,039 estates, 1,625 Chargers and 3,169 utilities, 20,555 cars in all, the lowest Valiant production since the S Series. The CL range superseded it in November 1976. Chrysler Australia also built the related Chrysler CK, a long-wheelbase luxury model developed from the VK; in July 1976 its 360 engine was dropped for the same emissions rules and the 318 became standard, with colour-coded hubcaps and Cloth Cord trim, before the CK gave way to the Chrysler Regal SE in October 1976.

Design and features

• Facelift body: new grilles, tail lamps and badges on the VJ structure, with Chrysler branding to the fore.
• Fuel Pacer: an optional flashing light that warned the driver about wasteful throttle use.
• Column stalk: the first multi-purpose control stalk among the big three Australian makers.
• Rationalised range: fewer models and options, with the Regal as the mainstream car.

Chrysler Valiant VK Regal versions

• Valiant Ranger: the entry saloon and estate.
• Valiant Regal: the mainstream saloon and estate.
• Charger XL and 770: the coupé models, now badged as Chryslers.
• Charger White Knight Special: 200 cars on the XL, in white or red.
• Dodge utility: the commercial version of the range.
• Chrysler CK: the related long-wheelbase luxury model.

The earlier Australian flagship is in Chrysler Valiant VIP; the American and Argentine Valiants are in Plymouth Valiant V-100 and V-200 and Valiant (Argentina). More cars are in the Valiant collection.

Video: VK Valiant Regal

Video by vgisit on YouTube.

Sources

• Chrysler Valiant (VK), English Wikipedia: range, engines, equipment, production