Our intrepid man in NewZealand, Bryce, is a prolific Cohort poster, and this unusual rig caught my eye. He tagged it a “Chrysler by Chrysler” but he didn’t identify what series Chrysler by Chrysler this one is. And I’m a bit perplexed, as a Gooogle search for all three series (CH, CJ, CK), all have a complete loop bumper. Bryce; next time tell us what you’re posting! I can’t readily identify these. (Update: it’s actually a Valiant VJ) But whatever it is, it’s a slick motorhome conversion, with twin rear axles no less.
Check it out; what a fine job. I’m assuming it’s home made. These Chryslers by Chrysler (gotta’ love that name) were powered either by the so-called “Hemi” 265 inline six (it most decidedly did not have a hemi head), ot the 360 CID LA V8. I’m assuming that’s more likely what’s under this one’s very fuselage-ish hood.
A very nicely done motorhome, even if it’s not by Chrysler.
What an awesome vehicle!
Splendid. Looks ‘factory’.
The shape of the cab makes me think the owner first turned a sedan into a Ute, then later built the camper on the Ute. Seems like you wouldn’t need the quarter window for a camper.
I believe this may be a VJ Valiant Regal, rather than a “Chrysler by Chrysler”.
So it is. I assumed Bryce would know….
4 headlight front was CbyC but the rego said Valiant. Yeah NZ had unique models forgot that my of my Ethnic express experience was in Aussie.
Too bad the living area was not by Chrysler otherwise there would be Corinthian leather in Fifth Avenue red decorated by crystal ;P
Have seen this several times but normally with the pre-77 Caddie, Buick, and Olds. They were workhorses. This is neat. Thanks Bryce.
Sweet looking motorhome. I’ve always been interested in the Chrysler by Chrysler. But I could never find any information about the car. How the hell were they able to make this one into a motorhome?
74 VJ Valiant Regal 770, New Zealand edition.
I’ve heard of the VJ Valiant. For some reason, they were never sold here in North America.
Agreed, this is REALLY well done.
Here’s my favorite homebrew motorhome:
Really well done beauty. That rear window is huge! I like the way the mirrors are mounted to the camper overhang. Must be tough to see overhead traffic lights. The interior would be cool to see. Better done than many factory units.
No overhead traffic lights here so not an issue, It had 265 Hemi callouts so I presume it still had a 6 aboard and the VJ is my favourite Valiant I owned several and would quite happily adopt another. Thanks Paul.
I didn’t know these front clips were used on NZ VJ’s, I thought they were used for export markets like Japan and South Africa on VH’s. Australian VJ’s used a quite different nose, grille and indicators from the VH / CH based pieces on this car. Regardless this is a great looking rig.
Australian Valiants from VH (1971) onwards differed markedly from US Valiants. And yes the “Hemi” six wasn’t a true Hemi, but is a fine engine all the same and in the E49 (265ci rated at 302hp) version has the highest horsepower per cubic inch rating of any Chrysler engine of that era.
NZ VJ Regals used the same clip as the Aussie model – one of my school teachers owned one from new, and there are a few still around. The VH indicators and CH headlights+grille on this would have been retrofitted – presumably when the body conversion was done.
Usually I’m bowled over by Scott’s brilliant local market knowledge but he’s wrong this time I think. As I recall, the Aussie VJ gave Todd Motors NZ is real problem – there was no Regal 770 in the new Aussie range despite it being one of NZ’s best sellers. So they made their NZ-only model combining the CH limo grille and lights with broughamy trims in the Regal shell. This is one of those – so totally original – from the B pillar north anyhow!
Plenty of them on NZMoparRegister.
Growing up, this was my dream Valiant, in purple with a black vinyl roof.
You could well be correct – I was basing my statement on my old teacher’s one, which was definitely a NZ-new VJ Regal with the Aussie single headlights. I also checked several sites while deciding the VIN. But I do know ChryCo did unique things for NZ, so I’m happy to stand corrected! 🙂
Actually KiwiAlistair, you are 100% correct! I realise now I was confusing the Regal and the Regal 770, sorry! The Regal had the same clip as the Aussie Regal, but as you correctly point out, the Regal 770 used the CxC lights and the VH front Valiant front clip complete with clear indicators. Apparently they all had a vinyl roof too. I salute your knowledge good sir 🙂
Here are some Kiwi Campervans and Motorcaravans including some homebuilts but none as nice and the Chrysler featured above.
http://www.crazycar.com/?tag=nz-rv
Plugging the registration into our carjam website reveals that it’a 1973, first registered here on 22 November of that year (just a couple weeks before my birth!). It started out as a sedan and is now registered as a utility, and has travelled about 20,000km (or possibly miles) since 1994 (the earliest the milage records go back to).
The engine number decodes as a 265 with the standard (as opposed to hi-performance) 2-barrel carb, with factory auto.
The chassis number decodes it as a New Zealand assembled 6-cylinder auto in the ‘premium’ price bracket. So yes, ’tis a VJ Regal 265 auto, retrofitted with VH indicators and CH headlights+grille – the factory VJ (single) headlights were a lot larger and looked somewhat startled; the VJ indicators were orange, whereas these VH ones suits the more monochromatic look of the colour scheme. All in all it’s been beautifully made, especially the B-pillar windows and trim!
Nicely put. The combo works.
It looks like a VH front panel surrounding the grille too. Quite a unique combo and a lot of trouble to go to when you could easily use a Holden 1-tonner cab-chassis that also had a lazy axle conversion available too.
Like this one.
Nice find. Thanks for posting, Bryce. It reminded me to dig this one out from the vaults.
Taken in Goldmine, Nevada in 2011.
Hey ! that Hudson Camper rig is parked out side if Fire House # 1 ~ I took a picture of my met parked next to it on a Road Rally a while ago .
-Nate
it would be interesting to look underneath and see how they attached the extra axle, seeing the Valiant is a unibody. I can’t help wondering what’s holding the camper section in place; someone must have done a lot of creative welding and reinforcing.
Excellent job.
Are those Oldsmobile rally wheels on the dual rear axles? Or did someone else have a similar design in that part of the world?
Cool rig, looks a lot better finished than many car-based motor homes.
Just the normal mid-spec Valiant wheels. They’re the same PCD as the Ford Falcon 5-stud; I think the GM PCD is quite different.
Standard 6 inch sport wheels 7 inch were special order I had 7s on my Regal same bolt pattern as Toyota Hiace and Ford Falcon/Zephyr
To clarify these are “Styled Road Wheels” introduced on VH, standard on Regal 770’s, Pacers and Charger R/T’s. For VH and VJ they were 6.5″ wide, for VK and CL they were reduced to 6″ wide.
Holden’s of this era used the GM PCD which is larger than the Chrysler / Ford PCD used on Valiants from VH.
Excellent – I’ll add that info to the ol’ memory bank – thanks Mick!