1962 Chrysler Valiant 'S' Series Sedan

Just as the current Chrysler 300C offers prestige family car buyers an interesting alternative today, so the R Series Valiant unveiled in January 1962 represented a real alternative to the Holden and new Falcon of its day.

For the first time an Australian car came with an alternator instead of a generator, and instead of coil springs, the Valiant came with torsion bar suspension.

Following it in March of 1962, the new 'S' Series Valiant was basically an R Series with a number of cosmetic changes.

Gone was the earlier model's fake wheel mould on the boot lid, replaced by a neat chromed emblem bearing the word "VALIANT", while the "cat's eyes" tail lights were replaced by a more conventional round lens and indicator assembly. The chequered grille was also neater looking, as was the new side chrome work.

More changed were found in the cabin, with the floor mounted manual shift now on the steering column, but the optional 3 speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission with its pushbuttons to the right of the instrument cluster remained unchanged.

A total of 10,009 'S' Series Valiants were sold, of which 5,496 were automatics and 4,513 were manuals, making these vehicles relatively rare and interesting classic.