1980 Chrysler CM Regal Sedan

The last of the line for Chrysler Australia, the CM series was announced in November 1978 and is widely regarded by many critics as the best Valiant every made, encompassing numerous improvements that made the car both reliable and a pleasure to drive. Unfortunately the average Aussie family refused to trade in their Fords or Holdens and as a consequence, relatively few CMs - just over 16,000 - were built before production ceased in August 1981. Available in three models - the basic Valiant, the Regal and Station Wagon - the CM range was available with the venerable Hemi six, in either hi-comp 245 or 265-cid guise, or the 318-cid V8 - all with the new Electronic Lean Burn ignition system to improve fuel economy. In a publicity coup, one motoring journalist even managed the trip from Melbourne to Sydney on a single tank of petrol. With a mildly facelifted exterior and revised interior fittings, the CM was a comfortable, big Aussie sedan that was easily as good as the contemporary Holden and Ford offerings. The new handling package - Chrysler's version of Radial Tuned Suspension - turned the CM Valiant into a safe, predictable handling car. Even on the basic Valiant equipment levels were high, with quartz halogen headlamps, electric clock, push-button radio, remote mirrors, heated rear window and wider wheels all standard. Right from the first Valiant, the R-Series of 1962, Chrysler was the underdog, building cars that were invariably better than contemporary Fords or Holdens but struggling to match the big two in terms of marketing and brand loyalty.