Our Bash Car

The Val

Our Bash Car

"Bold new styling and up-to-the-minute sculpting"

Chrysler Valiant VC

1966 - 1967
Engine: Mopar Slant 6 & V8
Capacity: 3.7 & 4.5 Litre
Power: 108kW & 135kW
Transmission: 3 speed "TorqueFlite" Auto
Top Speed: 109mph / 175kph (V8)
Number Built: 65,634

To qualify as a Bash Car, a vehicle must be built on or before 1972.

We decided on the 1967 Valiant Regal Safari because for it's time it had such standard features as: Speedometer, Petrol gauge, Temperature gauge, Alternator gauge and oil warning lamp! And there's plenty of stopping power with hydraulic duo-servo drums all around!

After purchasing it on eBay, blowing the dust off it, putting a fresh battery in it and pumping the gas a few times, it eventually kicked over after about the 5th try! Not bad for a 42 year old car!

Another bonus with our new "Val" is that there is no rust on the body. Yes, there are a few dents and it needs some work and preparation to be "bash ready" (as you will see in the photos) but it is all original and its not bad considering it's 42 years old!

Click on the button above to view our step by step photo diary of the restoration and conversion of Val to a Bash Car!

Our car has the Mopar 225 Slant 6 motor which is reputed to be bullet proof. Originally the Mopar started life as a truck motor and eventually was used in passenger cars in the USA and later Australia.
Having said that, the car we purchased lived it's life in Gunnedah and for the last 18 months of it's life was in storage on the central coast of NSW'

This page last modified on Friday, October 09, 2009

Val will be travelling a few thousand kilometers on dirt and gravel roads visiting towns such as Bigga, Temora, Lake Congellico , Cobar, Louth , Bourke, Walgett, Moree, Croppa Creek, Goondiwindi, Tara, Toowoomba, Lismore and finishing at Byron Bay.
Preparation is all important with special focus on suspension, diff, axles, wheel bearings, window seals, air and fuel filters, fuel lines, carburettor, radiator, transmission, exhaust, drive shaft.
Hmmmm................... Basically we have to check the lot!
We also need to weld "bash" plates under the car to protect fuel lines, the oil sump and fuel tank.
Check the progress of the rebuild HERE!