History
I purchased the vehicle new in August 1965 in my birth town of Brisbane. With the extra chrome strips etc it cost me $3,200.00 delivered, the same price I paid for my unrestored AP6 V8 in 2005 when I found/purchased it in Hobart Tasmania. As visible in the photo, and popular at the time, I fashioned and fittted rear wheel covers (wheel spats as they were known then). I also extended the Regal side strips across the spats (later "copied"on the Holden VP Calais.
By the time the attached photo was taken in 1966, some minor modifications had be completed. The wheels were cut and widened to 6 inches (common practice before mag wheels became available and common). Because of a slight engine problem, 40 thousands was taken out of the block bore and at the same time 80 thousands was taken off the cylinder head. Two single barrel Carter Ball & Ball carburettors, exhaust extractors and a two inch exhaust system had previously been fitted. The camshaft was left untouched because it was an automatic, though with current knowledge of those unbreakable 904 Torqueflite transmissions, today I certainly would have. In those days my brother and I always ran Michelin X tyres on our vehicles.
The early 1960s Valiants were far superior in power (and in every other area) than anything that Holden or Ford offered, but the modifications did improve the performance. Though no instrument testing was undertaken on power output, I do remember on one occasion exceeding 115 mph (185 kph) tachometer related speed, before having to slow for a bend in the road (can I say somewhere in Queensland!!)
As is so often the case. my Valiant Regal is another vehicle I would dearly love to still own. However, it remains fresh in my memory as I used the same red paint colour when I restored my AP6 V8. Like the majority of 1965/66 Chyrsler AP6 V8, it's colour was white, when I found/purchased it in Hobart Tasmania.
Modifications
The wheels were cut and widened to 6 inches (common practice before mag wheels became available and common). Because of a slight engine problem that developed after I had owned the vehicle for 18 months, 40 thousands was taken out of the block bore and at the same time 80 thousands was taken off the cylinder head. Two single barrel Carter Ball & Ball carburetors, exhaust extractors and a two inch exhaust system had previously been fitted. The camshaft was left untouched because it was an automatic, though with current knowledge of those unbreakable 904 Torqueflite transmissions, today I certainly would have. In those days my brother and I always ran Michelin X tyres on our vehicles.
