History
My Chrysler was built in March 1976, three months before Chrysler upgraded the model by the replacing of the 360 cubic inch engine due to the difficulty of it being upgraded to meet the new Australian emissions standards that commenced on 1st July 1976. Chrysler replaced the 360 cu in engine with the 318 cu in engine which they could produce to conform with the new regulations. Chrysler also changed the trim to a velour material. Chrysler ceased production of their long wheel base Chrysler by Chryslers when the Chrysler Valiant CL was released in October 1976. The top of the range Chrysler/Valiant was then the Valiant/Chrysler SE short wheel base.
I purchased my Chrysler directly from the Chrysler factory, where a good friend of mine was the Production Control Manager. Because it had all the extras on the vehicle that were available at the time, i assumed that, as it was the top of the range, it would have been driven by one of the senior Chrysler executives, possibly even Chrysler CEO Ian Webber, though that is pure speculation.
Unlike a 1972 CH Chrysler by Chrysler Coupe I had previously owned, which showed signs of poor quality control in its finish, the CK was beautifully finished, far superior to the then Holden Statesman or Ford Fairlane. I was told, second-hand, that the CK Chryslers were sent down a "special line" to keep the quality high. However, with Chrysler Australia in decline partly because of Chrysler US declining fortunes, it was all too little and too late.
I kept the vehicle for nine years and now deeply regret having sold it, as i'm sure many of us can testify to of past cars, but space and business interests dictated the sale.
