The Valiant Charger: what a vehicle!

This Valiant Charger "Six-Pack" was built by Chrysler Australia in 1972.

This baby came into tthe proud possession of Mark Dohrmann, whose sons Ted, Tom and Tim also regard it with awe and respect.  Mark passed it on to Ted, while he was working in Sydney as an engineer; Ted's back in Melbourne and the car now lives in Queensland. 

This is the car that Chrysler in America was too gutless to support (it stopped production here in 1977). Built to E49 specs, it is powered by a 265 cu in hemi six, and will comfortably beat most hot V8's over the standing quarter-mile. This one does low 14's (seconds) for the quarter, and can manage 200+ kph with ease.

Triple Weber carburettors (double-throat 45 mm - hence "Six-Pack"); E49 race cam and high-compression head; hi-flow exhaust through new 2.25 in Motivator heavy-duty extractors (changed, incidentally, from Pacemakers and twin exhausts into a single system, thus providing better flow, a horsepower lift and more toe); a four-speed Borg-Warner manual box into a 3.5 limited-slip diff; front and rear anti-roll bars; electronic ignition ... it adds up to a neck-snapping, stomach-tightening blast off the mark that comes on just as strongly if you're silly enough to floor it again at 120 kph (that's 70 mph for you US types). Although it will cruise comfortably about town, it is not a car to be provoked.

This one's got the creature comforts, too: television; full-on stereo, with a heavy-duty fully-enclosed bass kicker in the boot (US: "trunk"); the interior is fitted out with SAAB seats, velour, etc; alarm ... and more

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What do you think of the color? (it's metallic Phoenix Red). The mag wheels are original factory, but the air scoop is an add-on. There's a triple-note air horn, too. Above you can see the vehicle's former personal physician Jeff, the Magic Mechanic, filling a customer's car at "The Garage", which he used to run in Flemington, Melbourne.  His rotten landlord evicted him.  Bastard.

This is a man's car .....A surprising number of people still don't know that this Charger will still whip a Ford GT HO Phase 3 (351 cu in V8 "muscle" car) over the standing quarter. The Charger E49 is acknowledged as the fastest-accelerating production car built in Australia. It is a tragedy that history passed it by.

Anyway, we love and cherish it. You'll hear the rumble if we're in your area.  Would you like to listen to this beast?  Well turn up your speakers and click here. Select "Open" if you're asked.

Above: a  Charger symposium at Mark's previous place in Essendon (now living in Parkville):  from the left - Mark and his six-pack; Andrew Caporn with his 1972 VH RT replica (265 4 speed); rear, Matt Ryan and his rare "White Knight": 1976 VK with an E49 cam, 265, 4-speed Borg-Warner, and 600 Holley. Thanks to Ben McInerney for the introductions, and John McInerney for keeping the Stutt boys up-to-date. Charging!

MORE good stuff on Chargers (note - some links are broken, and I'm working to fix them, and add some more): 'Chrysler in Australia" (a detailed history of the Charger) ...  with great pictures! •The Charger WebPage of Australia (it's official!);  Grant Tychonenko's detailed history of the Charger in Australia, with pictures;  •an information page on New Zealand Chargers •An information page on Australian Chargers; Howell Automotive's (US) site: great parts info, LOTS of international links, very useful; •Viperman's Charger Homepage   •Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge Central (handy hints)  •Anthony Pepper's personal page - excellent page: several good pix and lots of general information about our favourite machines! Also: Rare Spares - good site for parts.