This SMP 3in1 kit or promotional 1960 Valiant model was "upgraded" in 1960 for a number of reasons. Even though I liked its looks for the most part, in the back of my mind I desired it to be a coupe. Corduroy was used to resemble a tuck and roll upholstery job to cover the rear seat in an attempt to establish a coupe appearance, sort of. Larger tires added to the rear produced a moderate front rake stance. A blackwashed grille and spinner hubcaps improved its appearance. Interesting enough, the 1:1 car had many critics even though the car itself, looking past its quirky design, was very reliable, economical with its slant 6 engine, and a sales success in the early 60s.
Thanks for looking....
Heck, I remember when it got a picture window and they called it ‘Barracuda’!
To me the Valiant was always a weird looking car, maybe it was because I was a youngster in the early 60s.
Mom & Dad had a 61 Valiant and a 62 Lancer and believe it or not they were both Red, and my grandfather had a 62 Lancer as well but in blue.
Our near and dear Moe Parr had an immaculate black 4-dr sedan which he sold a bunch of years back.
John Bono
North Jersey
There is no debating that the Valiant's and Lancer's were odd looking cars for that era. And their appearance also gave us an insight in to what the '62 Plymouth's and Dodge's were going to look like. They too, were odd looking compared to what we'd been used from Chrysler Corp. Call it age or whatever you want to, but those cars and their odd styling has grown on me over the decades. I'd love to have models of all of them today.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Although a bid odd looking, initially they sold well and were quite reliable. 😎 That kooky Venus styling never bothered me - had they produced a convertible I probably would have (had ) one. 😏
My aunt bought a new 1960 Valiant V200 in green. She kept it for 13 years and traded it in for a 1973 Nova.
I have several Valiant models in 1/43 scale including a four door sedan, a hardtop and station wagon. I well remember when they came out in 1960 at the same time Ford brought out the Falcon and Chevy brought out the Corvair.
ah yes I remember them well!
The Chrysler Valiant was a full-size car which was sold by Chrysler Australia between 1962 and 1981. Initially a rebadged locally assembled Plymouth Valiant from the United States, from the second generation launched in 1963, the Valiant was fully manufactured in Australia. It was sold locally but also in New Zealand and South Africa, with smaller numbers also exported to South-East Asia and the United Kingdom.
Parent company Chrysler made a substantial investment in Australian manufacturing facilities by establishing operations in South Australia with an assembly plant at Tonsley Park in 1964[2] and an engine foundry at Lonsdale in 1968. The Valiant thus established its position as the third of the "Big 3" Australian-made vehicles behind the Holden Kingswood and Ford Falcon.
Our near and dear Moe Parr had an immaculate black 4-dr sedan which he sold a bunch of years back.
Good memory, John! Here it is. I sold it when I bought the '55 Chrysler Windsor.
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
An unusual and cool-looking car and model ! Plymouth was a client of my Dad's in 1960, and our family got a white '60 Valiant which we had for several years.
@geoff-jowett Interesting Valiant history from down under....thank you!
I recall when the Plymouth Valiant premiered, even though I was just a kid. I thought it was very strange looking but interesting nonetheless. I also noticed that they seemed to be everywhere.....obviously they sold well. They had a reputation for great reliability but prone to rust. The most common color I saw them in by far was metallic green. The station wagon was even odder looking but seems to have sold well too.



