Chrysler Valiant (CM)

The Chrysler CM Valiant is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1978 to 1980 and subsequently by Mitsubishi Australia from 1980 to 1981. It was a facelifted and revised version of the Chrysler CL Valiant, which it replaced. It was the last Australian Chrysler Valiant.

Chrysler CM Valiant
Chrysler CM Valiant Sedan
Overview
ManufacturerChrysler Australia .[1]
Mitsubishi Australia[1]
ProductionNovember 1978 to August 1981[1]
AssemblyTonsley Park, Australia[1]
Body and chassis
Body style4-door sedan[2]
5-door station wagon[2]
LayoutFR layout[2]
Powertrain
Engine245 cu in (4.0 L) I6[3]
265 cu in (4.3 L) I6[3]
318 cu in (5.2 L) V8[3]
Transmission3 speed manual[3]
4 speed manual[3]
3 speed automatic[3]
Dimensions
Wheelbase111 inches (2819 mm)[3]
Length197.5 inches (5016 mm) (Sedan)[3]
Width74.6 inches (1895 mm)[3]
Height55.4 inches (1407 mm) (Sedan)[3]
Curb weight3368 lb (1528 kg) (Sedan)[3]
Chronology
PredecessorChrysler CL Valiant[1]
SuccessorChrysler 300

Model range

The CM Valiant was offered in 4 door sedan and 5 door station wagon body styles in the following models:

  • Chrysler Valiant sedan[4]
  • Chrysler Valiant wagon[4]
  • Chrysler Regal sedan[4]
  • Chrysler Regal wagon[4]
  • Chrysler Regal SE sedan[5]

Regal models were marketed as Chrysler Regals, without the Valiant name.[4]

A GLX pack, option code A16,[6] was offered on the CM Valiant sedan.[7] It featured the 265 cubic inch (4.3 litre) engine, the four speed manual transmission, or 3 speed auto or the 318 v8 engine with an auto, “Hot Wire” cast alloy wheels, a tachometer, front grille paint treatment, tinted side glass, roof console with map light, rear seat armrest, floor console, body stripes and other embellishments.[1]

  • Chrysler CM Valiant sedan
  • Chrysler CM Valiant Sedan
  • Chrysler CM Valiant Sedan with GLX pack
  • Chrysler CM Regal Sedan
  • Chrysler Valiant CM Regal sedan
  • Chrysler CM Valiant wagon
  • Chrysler CM Valiant wagon
  • Chrysler CM Regal Wagon
  • Last Australian Valiant built, August 28, 1981 was this Chrysler CM Valiant, a white 4.0 litre automatic sedan seen here on display prior to auction in 2003
  • "Last Barstard" (sic) written in the body sealer under the boot floor carpet on the last Australian Valiant built by an assembly line worker

Changes

The CM models featured a new grille, revised tail lights plus new mouldings and badges.[1] All body panels were carried over from the previous model.[8] The six cylinder engines were now fitted with Chrysler’s “Electronic Lean Burn System” which resulted in easier starting, better responsiveness, smoother running and improved fuel economy.[1]

Utility, Panel Van and Charger coupe models were not carried over from the CL Valiant range.[1]

Engines and transmissions

Three engines were offered:

  • 245 cu in (4.0 L) I6[3]
  • 265 cu in (4.3 L) I6[3]
  • 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8[3]

The 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 engine option was discontinued around August–September 1980.[9]

Five transmissions were offered:

  • 3 speed manual[3]
  • 4 speed manual[3]
  • 3 speed Torquflite automatic[3]
  • 3 speed TorqueFlite A904 automatic[3]
  • 3 speed borg warner automatic

Production and replacement

The CM Valiant was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1978 until the takeover of that company by Mitsubishi in 1980.[1] Mitsubishi Australia continued production through to 28 August 1981.[1]

A total of 16,500 examples of the Chrysler CM were built with no replacement model introduced.[1]

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See also

References
  1. Chrysler Valiant CM, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 9 August 2013
  2. Elisabeth Tuckey and Ewan Kennedy, Chrysler Valiant, 1996, page 172
  3. Valiant CM Technical Specifications, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 9 August 2013
  4. Regal and Valiant (Chrysler CM Regal and Valiant sales brochure 5/2006261), Chrysler Australia Ltd., July 1980
  5. Regal and Valiant (Chrysler CM Regal and Valiant sales brochure), Chrysler Australia Ltd., date unknown, as reproduced in "Elisabeth Tuckey and Ewan Kennedy's Chrysler Valiant, 1996, pages 179 to 181"
  6. Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia, 2010, page 421
  7. GLX Information, www.valiantglx.com Archived 26 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 9 August 2013
  8. Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 155
  9. Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia, 2010, page 204
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