1971 Chrysler VG Valiant 'Mexicana' Coupe

Chrysler's VG Valiant range was launched in 1970 and saw the arrival of the first Australian Hemi engine, replacing the old slant six. The 245-cid engine was available in three levels of tune, the single barrel developing 165hp, the twin barrel 185hp model and the Pacer with 190hp and a four-barrel carbie. The new engine was widely lauded by the press for restoring the performance edge of earlier Valiants. The styling of the VG remained largely unchanged from the VE/VF series apart from the adoption of square headlamps and a new grille, along with minor changes to the rear end. There was a choice of the base model, Regal and luxury VIP sedans on an extended wheelbase, a hardtop, Safari station wagon and Pacer, with unique decals. A small number of hardtops were made with sail panel extensions similar to the Chryslers sold in Latin America, these stylish coupes known as "Mexicanas" as a result. By the time production switched to the VH in 1971, some 46,374 VGs had been made in total, of which approximately 200 were "Mexicana" hardtops and making the example on offer here a particularly unusual piece of local Mopar history.