It’s been a few days since this ’66 Valiant wagon was uploaded by canadiancatgreen at the CC Cohort, and it’s called my attention ever since. It apparently sits currently for sale at the “Little Lot” in Alberta, which we’ve visited a few times before.
While there was a Canadian Valiant, it sold as a standalone brand between ’60-’66. So starting with its wagon body and Plymouth badges, everything about this Valiant says US-spec model. Well, everything but those wheels, which made me wonder if this once-sedate wagon had been hot rodded. Thanks to the marvels of the web, I wonder no more.
Here are a few more shots from the web, taken from a recent July auction. There were no images of the interior, but as far as the exterior goes, it’s all quite faithful to factory and nicely presented. The drivetrain, however, is a different story since it carries Chrysler’s 340 cid V-8. A displacement that didn’t exist in ’66.
Here’s the wagon’s more formal persona as shown in the US brochure. The 200 was the Valiant’s upper trim, and the “best of the low-cost station wagons.” At least in the words of Chrysler.
Engine choices included the slant-six in 170/223 displacements and a 273cid V-8 in 2-barrel or 4-barrel carburation. Typical of the era there was a gamut of options to make your Valiant suited to your liking. All according to a buyer’s purse. Background and details better told in the links further below.
So this is no longer a sedate family hauler, something the tailpipes and large wheels shout to the world. And as far as family transport goes, this one would never get my mother’s approval (I just know…). Meanwhile, my older self wonders and ponders if this were mine, what would I tweak. Smaller tires probably.
But the kid/teen that I once was would probably be quite OK with this interpretation.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1966 Plymouth Valiant – Aging In Place
CC For Sale: 1966 Plymouth Valiant – Chili And A Baked Potato
I drove a Valiant one summer in college working for the local electric company. It was a Slant Six, a powerful little car. for a 20 year old guy. I never seen the station wagon, I like the looks.
I’ve never been fond of the 1966 Valiant front end and consider it the worst of the A-body, behind even the 1st generation cars.
With that said, the larger wheels/tires that fill the wheel-wells of the feature car improve the look quite a bit, giving it an AWD vibe, something of an old-school take on a Subaru Outback. I wouldn’t kick that Valiant station wagon out of my garage.
Our similar Aussie version is one of my favourites, the simple grille appears to float in the opening with no bezels around the headlights, giving it some attitude with an angry stare.
I also like the larger squarer bumpers which, I think, were the same as the US ones.
It’s perfect. I wouldn’t normally say that but here we are, something about it. For once in real life something looks far better than in the 1960s brochure.
Although…If it were turquoise and had a surfboard on top or sticking out of the back it would be even more perfect.
It’s perfect as is with those mods, which are very tasteful. A slightly menacing look, which agrees with the 340 in the engine room.
It has that slightly raked look that those of us that grew up in the late sixties and early seventies prefer, but without being over the top.
I wouldn’t change a thing. Even the color fits with this subtle, yet mean look.
Very nice but still I wonder how the 1966 Aussie Valiant wagon got a different front end?
https://oldcarbrochures.org/Australia/Chrysler/Chrysler/1966%20Valiant%20VC%20-%20Australia/slides/1966%20Valiant%20VC%20-%20Australia%20page_10.html
From 63 till the local body in 71 our Valiants were always tweaked a bit, to increase local content and save costs using simpler detailing and tooling.
The ones that came after 1966 were not as nice as the US versions in my opinion
Although I wouldn’t mind a Aussie Valiant with the Hemi 6.
https://oldcarbrochures.org/Australia/Chrysler/Chrysler/1970%20Valiant%20VG%2014pg%20-%20Australia/index.html
Hell I like it .
-Nate
I like it. Those torq thrust wheels always help a car’s appearance.