1971 Chrysler VH Valiant Charger 770 (E37) Coupe

Description

An Aussie muscle car icon, the Charger was launched in August 1971 as a fastback version of the VH Valiant to cries of “Hey, Charger!”(the phrase coined by advertisements for the new model) and proved an instant hit.  Buyers couldn’t get enough of the sporty newcomer and Charger sales quickly accounted for roughly 50% of Valiant production.  The VH Charger line-up consisted of the base model, XL and more upmarket 770, a luxury sports coupe aimed squarely at Holden’s Monaro LS.Special features included a woodgrain dash and padded sports steering wheel, high-backed bucket seats, full carpeting and special door trims, along with a lack of quarter vents in the doors.  Other external changes included bumper over riders, special 6.5-inch styled steel wheels shod with 185 x 14 radial tyres, a sports fuel filler cap, chrome exhaust tip and quartz halogen driving lights, plus vinyl covering the rear quarter vents.  The larger 265-cid Hemi six and three-speed manual were standard issue, with the option of Borg-Warner’s 35 automatic transmission, the E37 Street Six Pack or even 318-cid V8s.  The E37 option consisted of triple Weber 45 DCOE carburetors to give a very healthy 248 bhp at 4800 rpm, with 306 lb/ft of torque at 3400 rpm.  Other mechanical changes unique to the E37 Charger 770 included a heavy duty three-speed close ratio gearbox, vacuum brake booster, a front sway bar and a 3.23 back axle ratio.  The 770 E37 saw the R/T’s garish stripes swopped for an altogether more subtle exterior package, with a single stripe adorning the side, a discreet yellow Six Pack badge on the front guard and unique circular sill mouldings.  Of the 17,918 VH Chargers built, just 100 cars in all were 770s featuring the E37 Six Pack option, making this a very collectible Charger indeed, one that rarely appears on the open market.