Here is a cool video on some extremely rare Australian Chryslers that were sold in Japan through Mitsubishi dealers - the Chrysler by Chrysler and Valiant Charger 770. Please 👍Like👍 and Subscribe for more old car videos. What do you think of the Japanese Charger front styling compared to the Australian one?
Instrument ID for charger was in original english for japanese version imagine their cars here the same would be a safety concern and wouldnt be accepted but japs wanted extra mirrors indicator lights etc on charger.
I am unable to drive because of my slightly mentally disabled status. But i do appreciate classic cars because of my very patient and wonderful parents. They helped me love cars which were driven on a racetrack and bought in racing spec!! My young self plays with LEGO Speed Champions cars to compensate and they are my way of connecting me to big blocks. I would love to drive one day though... But great video. Love Chryslers.
@@SkodaYetiFan96 Thanks very much and glad you enjoyed it. Apart from the actual cars and driving, I really enjoy collecting the models (kits, diecasts etc) and brochures. In this way you can really enjoy your passion and amass a pretty extensive and varied collection. All the best. 👍
I had a black ch chrysler by chrysler. It was an ex commonwealth of Australia car . 360,727 torqueflite. Air,steer full cloth interior. All electric windows.
Wow We learn something everyday😊 , good video Mark . Never ever would i have imagined some of the big valiants would end up in japan. I love the old simple cars like these , if they made them again id happily buy one over a modern computer car or electric car.
Great story Mark. There's was so much more to the Aussie car industry than what met the eye - and it's so much appreciated when you uncover gems like this. These cars had so much character as opposed to the (mostly) bland bubble cars we are offered these days. I'm sure there'd be a few Japanese owners still worshipping the few good Chargers and Chryslers left over there. Would be really something to track some down.
Hi Mark, thanks for this. My cousin was a Chrysler dealer in Sydney growing up, so I was lucky enough to have a succession of fabulous Valiants to drool over as a kid. I can remember my cousin turning up in a new 770 Charger, it hadn’t been released formally so I was over the moon. I can’t recall what motor it had buy it went like stick. From old Safari wagons, pacers, 245 and 265 sedan, Ve, Vh to etc I just love em. I still recall the adds on TV when they released an electronic ignition, the fire brigade hosed the engine bay down and it of course started no problem. That was quite something in an era of British cars that stopped after most puddles or heavy rain. Thank you.
Interesting. Which dealer was that as I used to look after most of them as Mitsubishi dealers in the later 1980’s? The fire brigade ad concept was copied from a US Chrysler electronic ignition. 👍
I was only aware of the HJ Holden Premier being sold as a Mazda in Japan. Thanks Mark......this was very interesting as I was never aware that Aussie Chryslers were sold in Japan.
The Chrysler 318 engine was a fairly common and reliable engine here in the United States of America. Of the V-8 engines that Chrysler produced, it was also fairly economical to operate. Thanks for sharing! Please have an excellent and awesome day! ☀️✨🌟🚘
We had a different spec 318 here. It was a normal 318 but was upgraded and called a 318 Fireball. It had a different camshaft and all had the single plane 2bbl intake with the B&B Carter 2bbl. They were rated at 230hp and 340ft/lb. They were really common. When the Fireball was released it was the only 318 available. Before and after the Fireball there were other 318s including the ELB. All had 2bbl carbs and very average centre discharge exhaust manifolds - none ever had Thermoquads or anything like that. There were OEM 4bbl 340s here too but they weren't common. Also the 360 was common, most of them being 2bbl, having J heads but without the 340 size valves.
@@ThePaulv12we had the 318 in the VF and the Fireball was either the option up, or the next year version- in the VG. Once the fireball came, the standard 318 was dropped. The camshaft was the same, but advanced 8 degrees at the sprocket- thats the difference between the 2 motors.
I had a Fireball 318 in my ‘70 VG VIP that l bought at 23 in ‘86. In Australia, this was a big motor. I miss the sound of it shifting down under hard acceleration, sigh.
When I was on working holiday in London in 1974 I saw a XA GT Sedan with Vic plates in Kings Cross . Of course outside Australia House were a couple of Falcons. A guy I worked with had a VC V8 Sedan and I also saw a couple of Chargers and a XW Fairmont Wagon. The funniest thing was a top spec Hillman Hunter with a chauffer and a business guy in the back.
I was on the UK in the early 80's & we were heading up to Scotland & had an XA 2 door Fairmont - mustard in colour fly pass us at a rapid rate of knots. I had to look twice in my rear views thinking I was seeing things. I wonder if it still exists.
I was in Britain in 17 and saw several Aussie Falcons. AU, BA XR6s and a very plain white FG in Edinburough. Have seen clips of numerous Aussie cars meeting up in a car park in England somewhere. Commodores, Falcons from the 70s up and even a couple of Valiants. All were sold there in limited numbers at various times. Seen a VF VIP destroyed in a 80s Brit TV cop show.
@@ldnwholesale8552an episode of The Professionals features a car chase with a VE Valiant, and Alexei Sayle's music video of Ullo John gotta new motor shows an orange Charger 770 in the background in a car yard behind the Cortina. Worth a perv!
In 1982 when visiting the Isle of Wight UK, I saw a vf valiant sedan in the town of Cowes. I still have the photo. A surprise Aussie Chryslers were sold in Japan, i did know of the hj Premier sold as a mazda roadpacer with a rotary engine . Thanks for the video.
The fifties at 60s Australian Chryslers that were built on 1954 Dodge bodies with 1956 Plymouth front end and rear fins are way cool. The 318 Poly was a fine engine.
@@wasabicars Thanks very much. I’ve watched (and liked) a few of your videos. Very interesting. I’d like to get one of those HQ Isuzu Statesman brochures eventually too. 👍
I have lived in Japan since 1991 and have never seen one... I have seen an EK Holden and the Mazda/Holden rotary x 2 tho ( 47. 6 ) on the back of your brochure is 6th month of the 47th year of the Showa era, so June 1972
Who knew? I didn't have any clue the early-mid 1970s Chryslers sold in Japan. It's well known, however, that Holden Australia sent a lot of medium-large car product to South Africa and even the Middle-East; and then much later even to the USA. But here's a fun fact... *Holden HJ Premiers were sold at the same time in Japan as those Chryslers! They were called the Mazda Roadpacer, and - wait for it - they were fitted with ROTARY ENGINES!!*
Wow! Didn't know about this I think some variants and Mitsubishis traded badges in Australia too? I can't imagine the Japanese really liking such large cars - so weird. Also, that advertising material really made these cars look GREAT.
G'day Mark, Great video, never knew they exported Chrysler to Japan. Don't mind the look of the Charger with the twin headlight front without the loop around Chrysler by Chrysler bumper bar. That dash was know as the fish scale dash. Originally available on the VH E55 340 SE Charger & nothing else. The VH 770 Charger had fake woodgrain & no tacho just speedo & clock. I am sure there are a few in a couple of barns in Japan somewhere. Cheers Louis Kats 👍
This is a very well-presented post, Mark. Well done. For many, many years, I have wondered why people refer to Chrysler products, such as Dodge, De Soto, Plymouth, Valiant, etc., as MOPARS. No other vehicle is nicked named after its spare parts division, like an AcDelco 253 or a big AcDelco 350. When was the last time you heard someone saying " A very cool Motorcraft GTHO"? Yet everyone seems to call a Charger 340 a Big MOPAR. Most people wouldn't know that MOPAR stands for Motor parts. My old man used to say, "It's not a MOPAR; it's a bloody Chrysler made up of MOPAR parts." In the case of Fords, FOPAR would have caused some smiles and derogatory comments. I had no idea that Chryslers were sold in Japan, I would love to hear their accent attempting to say Chrysler Valiant Charger.. How funny.
Wasabi Cars, a channel by an Australian living in Japan, sais from his coverage of JDM Aussie Chryslers that "At this stage I highly doubt there remains in Japan a running example of the 240 Down-Under-sourced Chryslers. Certainly not-so-much as a hubcap has surfaced online." One of the other things he noted was often no Vinyl Roof as was universal in Australian.
While most Chrysler Cruiser has vinyl tops by far it was not standard. I owned an all white 360 CK and wrecked a rusty silver VH. There was a an all red CJ or CK about decades ago.
Awesome bud! I owned couple of hot chargers back in the day when we were hooning in the 80’s. I’ve got an old 61 dodge phoenix Aussie delivered. Only handful in the country. 318 push button auto. Good fun.
I owned a valiant safari torqueflight station wagon when I was 15 yrs old,push button automatic and had a slant 6 cylinder engine in it. And later on in my early 20s I owned a Chrysler valiant CL station wagon that was a 3 on the tree manual with a 245 ci hemi 6 cylinder engine. Both cars were led sleds on the roads but reliable and comfortable,great for long distance travel.
That was interesting Mark, thanks for sharing another of your awesome videos. I am pretty sure that these went to the UK as well as a 318 Regal wagon they called an Estate. Strange that Japan missed out on the wagon though.
We had 3. 360 c x c the last one had the light look across the back . The car was black vinyl top and white body . One I had in 1988 was all metallic blue no vinyl top . The other one was metallic green bone top . Seen one in 1986 on parramatta Rd in a car yard all pale blue no vinyl top . By the way the green one did not come with electric windows 🙀. Owned over 50 Mopars . Never had a problem with fuel ⛽️ efficiency in our C by C . And they were country driven . A bloke I knew had a metallic brown one with a cream top on the horse stud yes he said it used to a lot of fuel ⛽️. But as he took of one day fuel ⛽️ was coming out of the filling neck 🙀😵💫. No wounder he had bad fuel economy 😂. But in 1985 I owned A one owner CL SE Regal 318 light metallic brown with a cream top and red trim floor shift . They are waaaaay more classy in side then any c by c I fitted twin system and a Holley it came with 14 x7 sanky benson wheels and I fitted 235 60 tyres on it she sit with ease 100 mph . Yes and it leaked fuel ⛽️ from the filler neck as well . The straps tend to come undone . 👍🏻🇦🇺.
@@brianandglendaharkin9457 Interesting. I never noticed fuel coming out the back but my friend’s Go Green one used to drink a lot too. Power windows were options as mine had them but his did not. It drank more than my 455 Buick Riviera. But it went like stink. 👍
@@philnorbury9032 Thanks. I may do those too, if I can source the brochures. I do like the HJ and HX Mazda Road Pacers and the HQ Statesman sold via Isuzu dealers. Very interesting stuff. I’d love to find a South African Fairmont GT brochure too. 👍
The last Charger off the production line had Every Option and Optional Extra added. Each particular part was signed by the people who handled and fitted them. Drive train, suspension, brakes, etc. were in full race trim. Exterior, painted in Arctic Polar White (a one time only tint), Black Textured Vinyl roof, chrome in all the usual places. Including V.I.P. and Chrysler Executive badges, and Chrysler's Wreath and Heritage Emblem. Later being on the "C" pilar, over the black vinyl that extended down from the roof. A black (XW GTHO like) Wing mounted to the boot lid. Yes, BOOT. Because a Trunk is a large case, made of wood and leather, typically used to hold clothing whilst at sea! Yes, a wing, even though it had the iconic duck tail. Also, chrome side pipes exhaust with slotted heat covers. 98 mph in 2nd gear, wheel spin in 3rd ...
Hi Mark, Did not know these Chryslers were for export. I did see one of these Chargers the coupe at a classic car show about 5-6 years ago, in Oswestry a town on the Wales-England border, parked amongst cars from the Rootes group and Chrysler UK, Hillman Hunters , Avengers, Imps and this green Charger and it was the V8 can't remember what it cc was. I was an amazing looking car and it was a beast compared to the Imp next to it. Great video catch you soon Take care
Theres a youtuber in Britain does "discovering" abandoned estates, one vid has a Valiant Charger in a barn by a house abandoned full of belongings. So sad to see the poor girl rusting. Looks pretty clean but might not have much floor...... one Aussie rescued a 1 of 1 automatic R/T Charger- brought it back to Aust to restore- consisted mainly of lacy rust holes and was a strip down to sub frames resto. Theres big articles on it to see.
As I was a young person in those days I always remember that it was considered if you did not own a Ford or a Holden but owned a Chrysler of any sort you were looked down upon.
Pretty sure that New Zealand built Rover P6bs ended up in Japan as well. We got some here in Australia that must have been destined for Japan but ended up here in Australia instead. There’s a great car brochure shop in the back streets of Tokyo. Google translator is a god send in Japan! Way back when eBay and the internet was in its infancy the JDM Charger 770 brochures used to pop up for sale once or twice a year but never the CxC ones.
(Disk Brakes) stamped on pedal 😊... I grew up there 61~82 & pretty much all vehicles were stick shifts. Also boss got driven around while grunt (me) drove. Back then (60z ~70z) females didn't drive either. Very different culture & most engines were 1000 ~1200 cc... 16~18~2000cc were the "hot sporty" models unless twas Mazda's rotary which was in a league of its own. 1st time watching & I subscribed... peace from Tucson
The front of the Japanese Charger reminds me of the New Zealand spec VJ Valiant Regal. They Aussie VJ Regal had single front headlights whereas the NZ spec had the dual front headlights and I think VH turn signal/park lights
@@markbehr88 I think so. I remember going through the Mitsubishi assembly plant in Porirua near Wellington when I was an apprentice mechanic back in around 1986/7
318 replaced the 360 in the local market CK Chrysler, in July '76, due to ADR 27A. The air conditioning was as integrated as anyone else's, apart from the outlet being mounted below the dash, because there were no face level vents. The dual headlight, Chrysler grille setup in the Charger, was much the same as some NZ market Regals.
VK's and CK's were chock full of 360's as it was the last chance model to offload them, the 360 was gone from the CL options list. 265's were quicker in Valiants anyway, and waaay more economical.
Thanks Mark, interesting little side trip on a Thursday night. Quick Q: Are they JDM because they were specifically for the, well, 'JDM'? I'd never thought of it the other way around, they tend to sell me stuff. Cheers.
Well done again Mark. Now how about considering researching and presenting South African Falcons (including Fairmont GT), Valiants and Holdens (badge Chevrolet).
Theres a S.African movie- A dry white season (1989) starring Donald Sutherland. Bad cop drives a VJ? Valiant and runs him down near the end of the movie- it has a t bar shifter i recognised from my KB Centura. The mix n match of global mopar parts is interesting.
@markbehr88 have you seen the new magazine they released a month or so ago? It's got all the iconic Aussie cars .. a model and a magazine. I have the first two issues the monaro and the chrysler charger one. Check it out if you like. Australian cars the collection it's called.
I saw a dark blue VJ Valiant in a car yard in Bangkok in 2003. I had to ask the taxi driver to pull over so I could check out this unicorn. On closer examination, I was aghast to find it had been retro-fitted with a rb20. It still haunts my reverie.
@markbehr88 Hi mate. Sorry to "nay say", but I'm sure that the RB20 is a 6cyl Nissan engine. Their 4cyl FJ20 was coming to end around the time it came out, and the SR20 four was the replacement. The people obviously had no idea about the benefit of cubic inches when they did the swap!
Thanks Mark, some very interesting data, which I never knew. The Charger in Japan was just at another level to my eyes. I really wonder how much these would have cost in Japan, with their large bodies and even larger engines. This makes me think about how detached from reality the Yanks were, when they considered their poor sales figures in Japan, without even realising that Japan drove on the right-hand side of the road.
The price of the cars is quoted on the brochure, but to make any sense after all these years it would be best to have it compared to other upmarket Japanese cars of the time to understand how much of a stretch it would be for a Japanese buyer. There might also be high annual registration and taxes depending where it was garaged. Both the dimensions of the car and engine size got increasingly taxed in Japan as I understand it. The person who supplied Mark with the brochure might be the person well placed to give these comparisons.
To complete your set, all you need now is a UK and Thailand Chrysler marketing fliers. You probably already know this, but the American movie 'Good Morning Vietnam' is famous for having several Australian 1970s Chrysler on display in the background in the market and road scenes. The film was made in Thailand.
@@iggytse Yes. They were all really Mitsubishis (Galants in Japan) but badged as Chryslers before Mitsubishi bought out Chrysler Australia. If you look on the channel there is an episode of a GE Chrysler Sigma SE. 👍
At 3:33 those side indicator lenses look amazingly similar to the LA Lancer items. Same for the Charger reversing light, all Lancer. Obviously didn't have to look too far among the company's spare parts inventory.
Thank you Mark. This was quiote interesting and had great footage. These Chrysler had better looking interiors compared to the American Chryslers of the time. That cassette tape player was interesting. Those did not appear on cars here until the 1980's. They were still using 8 track players. The difference between the Australian and Japanese models are very interesting. It seems like the American branch of Chrysler was behind. The Charger you shared is extremely different from the United States model. It just seems Chrysler was doing more for the market outside the United States. That sedan looked like the Dodge Monaco we had here in the United States. Great video.
@@markbehr88 Thank you Mark. Thank you again for the video and confirning what I thought. You can ckearly see the influence. I still find it interesting the interiors are so different frim American Chrysler. It just seems baxk in the day the auto indusrty and others had respect for GM, Ford and Chrysler. Something happened over time. The video still was quite good.
Thanks. I think Chrysler Australia probably used some interior US elements but maybe more of a focus on better instruments, although this is the 770 level spec. The base Ranger in the sedan had a strip speedo, but the Regals and 770s had very nice interiors for sure. 👍
Very interesting ,I never would have imagined that Valiants were exported to Japan. That photo of the silver Chrysler by Chrysler, I thought it looked like it might be the dimensions of a VH or VJ Valiant sedan , and not the longer wheelbase that our Chrysler by Chrysler's are ? , maybe it's my imagination? . Seeing those reflectors and reversing lights below the bumper on the Japanese models reminds me of a VH station wagon owned by a workmate years ago, it had rectangular clear lensed indicators in the front valance panel below the bumper ( as well as the normal side indicators) , I'm not sure how common that was?
Never knew about these cars. being exported. I wonder how many CBC or Chargers were sold in Japan? At least they had proper engines, and if you don't get that reference, look up Mazda Road Pacer.
@@rossbrumby1957 the Australian built 360 cube will not only run, but start with a glass of water filled to the brim without spilling a drop!, Not only do I show that to friends and others but it was part of Chrysler Australia marketing for the CH ! Historical fact proven by myself 🇦🇺
@@markbehr88 Lots of that. I recall taking on a Ho along parramatta road late one night. No matter how hard that Falcon roared lifting a front end up in every gear change. That ole Chrysler stayed aside near rubbing door handles all the way from Beefies to Guildford rd. Never found a road long enough to see how fast it could realy go
Yes, my mate Gerard and I used to borrow a 265 VH 770, orange in colour, floor shift auto. Great fun. It was his Mum’s friend’s car and she also loaned us her Datsun Fairlady convertible, red in colour. We didn’t even have licences but it was great fun. 👍
@@markbehr88 the 90’s was so good. I had a VC regal. Mates were brothers, one had the 770 orange manual black vinyl roof, other had a VG pacer. Those Japanese editions are interesting. Like many other viewers of the video I never knew about them
In 1984 I bought a VH series Charger - 4 litre 3 speed in good nick for $1400. I wanted the 4.3 4 speed but they were all about a grand more which I thought was too expensive! (cry) Gorgeous looking car and surprisingly economical (for the time) with a Holly fitted. Rusted out eventually when they were still considered a heap of junk. How I miss it now!
Wouldve been better on fuel with a stock Carter 2bbl. I had a VH 265 auto Charger in 1986, metallic golden brown. 265's were more economical again, with a slightly warmer cam and bigger valves. I put an economy cam in my 245 VJ ranger that had factory 4 spd, twin system, stock carter 2bbl was good for 34.5 mpg if I didnt go over 100kmh. Would have loved an overdrive single rail from an XF Falcon but they werent yet cheap in 1993! Ps, they're economical for right now, too. Full size cars struggle to get 32mpg now with overdrive because theyre so heavy. A 6 cyl Charger was 1350kg, a falcon 6 now is 2-3 hundred kilos more.
@@rossbrumby1957 Also with all the big Chryslers, they were so roomy! On long country drives you could stretch your left leg right out and get really comfy. Modern cars all have those huge centre consoles which I hate.
The 318 would have been on offer as Japanese Road Tax was engine-capacity related. That's why, say, a 910 Bluebird JDM had the 1.8, and not the 2.0 litre that we got down here in "Oceania", which I believe is the PC terminology for OZ and NZ combined...
G'day Mark. Another awesome video! We've gotten Japanese Chryslers here in the USA. We got the Dodge Colt, based on the Mitsubishi. I remember we got a car called the Dodge Challenger, based I think on the Mitsubishi Sigma or some damn name that I don't recall. I remember seeing one parked next to an earlier Dodge Challenger and joked *"That's not a Challenger!"* looks at the earlier model, *"That's a Challenger!"* Kind of a silly play on an old movie line. If you can guess the movie line and movie, you'll get what I'm playing at. 🙂
Hi Jason. Yes, that Challenger was a re badged Mitsubishi Scorpion. A good looking car but not a Challenger. I would much rather an original 1970 model any day of the week. 👍😀
@@markbehr88 I was *way* too young at the time to drive a car, but I remember cars like these. I had a neighbour when I was a boy who had a 1971 Dodge Challenger. I can't remember what the trim level was, whether it was a Special Edition. But I thought it was one of the best looking Mopar cars produced. 🙂
Mr. B. Here ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍🇺🇸. From the states am a fan of the Japanese vehicles , Am a Oldsmobile guy ! But I see thing in these vehicles that were lifted from GM models 50’s & 60’s one item the clock on the console. Very interesting & very informative video, thank you ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍🇺🇸
Mr B , if you like Oldsmobile,s , the rarest ( sort of Oldsmobile) was the late 1970 s General Motors Holden LE Monaro Two Doors, that had the " Honeycomb Pontiac wheels standard" and the story goes , when the 1979 American president of GM Holden was retiring and going home to the US he wanted one of the LE Two Door Holden Monaro s , but they came with the Aussie only 308 ci Holden V8, he would not be able to get parts back in the US , so as the LE had Trans Am wheels already he got three LE Monaro s installed with 403 ci Oldsmobile V8s and T400 transmission ( the T400 was standard behind the Aussie 308 ci anyway) these cars still exist the one he took back to the US is still there , the other 2 somewhere in Australia. Holden did have plans to have the 1977 to 1979 Long wheel base Statesman 4 door and Two door LE Monaro be available with the 403 ci Olds as the top of the line motor but it never went through . So somewhere in the US is a Two Door Holden Monaro LE with a 6.6 Olds .
@@debbiebermudez5890 Thanks very much. Glad you liked it. I have a few Oldsmobiles too. Will do some more videos on them at some stage. So far just my 79 Toronado and Aurora plus a friend’s 78 Toronado. 👍
@@markbehr88 All I can say ! WOW I did not know any of that , thank you for the information . If I may ask if it is possible a photo of this in your market was ever made available, if you can showcase . Most folks here all they hear is about Chevy’s ! Oh I have 58 Olds Super 88 2dr no port, 64 Cutlass Convertible, 70 442 Convertible, 76 442 & Cutlass S , 84 Delta 88 Frankenstein. ☕️👀😎👍🇺🇸
@@debbiebermudez5890 Very cool. Oldsmobiles here were only sold up to the early 1950’s. After that they were special imports. All of my Oldsmobiles I imported from the USA. They include 66 Toronado, 74 Cutlass, 74 Custom Cruiser, 79 Toronado, 92 Olds 98, 96 Aurora. I would love a Curved Dash but they are a lot of $$$$
And the Holden Statesman sold as the Isuzu Statesman with Greg Norman ( oops wrong Jack Nicklaus) on the advertising and brochures. Not a big success only hundreds sold. At least one surviving in a Japan museum.
At least the Aussie market cars were a more manageable size for the Japanese market compared with those from North America. Thinking back to the owner's manuals for 1970s Japanese cars and motorbikes imported to where I live, I couldn't help but think of some of the odd (and often amusing) terminology arrived at during the Japanese to English translations. I wonder what the Japanese thought of the English to Japanese translations in the Chrysler literature?
@@martinliehs2513 Yes, the Australian cars, while large for the Japanese, were still much smaller than their American counterparts. That would be amusing re doing a translation. You can screen shot them google translate. 👍
There's 4 chargers in the bush amongst many old vehicles,in the middle of pretty much nowhere ,lets just say north of Merredin, in great condition ,preserv3d by the dry climate very well ,they have been there unmolested for at least 35 years ..they would start rusting down south in the moist air,so getting them is Not saving them...I found them while legally sandalwood cutting in the scrub, and I quite like the thought of knowing they will be there whenever I want to go back
I saw a black one at Woronora Cemetery with a Black long wheel base Chrysler by Chrysler wagon in 1975 ........ Hurst, my best gess it was a Valiant with the Chrysler by Chrysler front, the same as what was done with most of the Fords and Holdens. Didn't stop to have a good look, my Grandfather had died
meanwhile Mazda put a either 12A or 13B rotary in the HJ/HX Kinsgwood and named them "Roadpacer". Oh wow watching the "Charger" part of the video at seven minute mark, wow "Hey Charger" indeed.
A search for images of : Chrysler Valiant UK ads Will reward with more of the story of when Chrysler UK hoped that importing Australian Valiants would be a simple low development cost replacement for the aging Humber Super Snipe. Although they ended up being at Jaguar price levels in the UK they lasted from the VC first ones until the Charger era, but in small numbers.
@@markbehr88 I suggested years ago that 'Big Car' YT channel cover the Chryslers and Valiants imported into the UK but he hasn't so far taken up the challenge. Be an interesting story there. Mark. Have you ever seen this clip where a VE VIP was destroyed in a UK television show ruclips.net/video/7dIXKpFJd-k/видео.html
Dont forget the cars that went to Vietnam. Watch good morning Vietnam there is on as a taxi. Please do a story on the VFX and the two door vip 340 four speed that were crushed
@@markbehr88 the VIP was around the time of the arguments with USA and pending charger release. The books were printed . It was a case like the cobras use up the last coupe body shells . Then they were squashed. My late uncle drove one , at time he said faster than management s HO test car and fastest he had been over the top of taps. He later went on to be a factory test driver for Mitsubishi . Don't forget the sigma turbo s. And the cop sigmas were all different. He delivered 2 of the four to SAPOl police barracks. A lot of testing was done with autos , cruise control and turbos across the ranges incl cl and cm but economy was the focus. The 3 door coupe colt had a suck Through molded carby manifold. This car became a group A race car at Bathurst . It currently is in Shepparton. In the chargers many things were tested at speedway Roly pk like the white knight speedway car . This was a public perception thing. Please do a Valiant vh pacer segment. I had one that had Bathurst spec block . When I sold it everyone said it s engine prefix was wrong . Later it was told to me it was a big journal engine and ment for 4 speed . That car went to Portland Vic and under restoration. The vh pacer is rarer than an XY gt .
Yeah I had a 72 vj 265 "hey charger" got it up to 300hp still had the 2.9:1 diff and borgwarner 727 slushbox had great top end though pulled away from 1980s mercs easy, paid 6,000 nzd in 1984 now I would have to pay 80k aussie at today's prices, good times
Try adjusting them on your own- they suck. And because theyre so far away ,the picture and field of view is so small and narrow. Now you know why most of the world never used them. I rank convex passenger side mirrors right alongside them for reducing usefulness of mirrors.
@@rossbrumby1957 the JDm ones on my car had a constrictor clamp on the back , after getting someone's help all I had to do was use a spanner and Phillips screwdriver to set it up it wouldn't move in a month of Sunday's, I also had the wing mirrors on the doors in a time where cars had to option up the passenger side . Was driver side only back then as standard . As for visibility I had no problems with them .
Miss them today actually, I used to laugh at those little convex mirrors that you stuck to the straight glass , as I couldn't get used to them . Even had a family member commission a glazier to get rid of the factory convex , and promptly went to the pars shop and put one on the new glass 😵💫
No it wasnt. The 340 E-55 was going to be but when the supercar scare hit, they continued with the E-49 265 and dropped an auto behind the 340 and rendered it just a 770 luxury beast. The 318 was never developed into a performance engine by Chrysler Australia or Chrysler corp USA.
Did this arrangement between Chrysler and Mitsubishi have anything to do with the, "Take the Mitsubishi Bridge from Japan to Dodge" campaign a few years later?
@@danlowe8684 Chrysler had a stake in Mitsubishi and had quite a few examples of rebadging across the world. That campaign was probably just part of the relationship in place. Mitsubishi ultimately bought the Australian Chrysler operations in 1980/81. 👍
My Dad was plant manager at Chrysler Port Melbourne in early 70s And was regularly in Japan dealing with Mitsubishi who was owned by Chrysler at the time..He said that the Chrysler in Japan were made here originally and The Gallants ad Sigmas came back they also made hillman Hunters at Port Melbourne He had a Chrysler by Chrysler as his company car Then a Charger I liked both but the Chrysler has Air Con so it was awesome for the early 70s, He was previously National Parts Manager at Ford in Broadmeadows.
@@stupeters8409 Yes, there os a rumour that said, when Chrysler took over Rootes Group they were going to call the Port Melbourne operation Chrysler Rootes Australia - but then thought the better of it! I bet your Dad would have had some great stories? 👍
@@markbehr88my first car was an EJ with a third turn play in the wheel. My first real car was a VH Charger XL 265 auto bought it in 1986, still got the receipt, have had dreams I found the Charger every few years lately- wake up every time sad because those dreams i always seem to remember on waking.
Im guessing these were the cars that brought chryslers to the attention of mitsubishi, who as we all know had a working relationship with chrysler australia from the late 70s and eventually took over operations in australia.
@@seed_drill7135 Yes. There were quite a few models shared including the Lancer, Scorpion and many others, rebadged as Plymouths, Dodges etc. plus use of engines in K cars etc. 👍
@@markbehr88 The Dodge Lancer was a K car, not the same as the Mitsubishi Lancer. Weirdly, the Dodge Raider SUV was a rebadged Mitsubishi but the Mitsubishi Raider pickup (that came out much later) was a rebadged Dodge Dakota! Then there was the joint company Diamond Star Motors that gave us the Eagle Talon and the Eclipse.
The Charger 770 is a sleek looking muscle car from all angles ... Except for the front end. The grill looks like it should be on a sedan or more of a luxury car
@@TS1964 They lifted the grille from the luxury Chrysler for this Japanese market car. I included some images of the Australian Charger for comparison. 👍
Yeah, it's tacky as hell, looks like a 69 dodge charger wannabe. Original Aussie version is way cleaner. I had a VH Charger back in 86 when I was 17. Sexiest Aussie car to this day. Shame I cant afford one now.
Probably not as I am sure they already had so many variants of the Lancer (nice looking little car for the day). They did send GJ Sigmas to the UK where they were sold as the Lonsdale. 👍
@@markbehr88 I did not know that about the Sigma. All those little cars were built strong with rear wheel drive. Sigma, Bluebird, Lancer, 200B,120Y, Stanza, 240K,etc,etc, Then FWD crap overtook the world.
Lancers werent badged as valiants, but they did put the valiant script badge on an early galant. Think they thought aussies wouldnt buy a "riceburner" if it wasnt badged as a valiant. Was bad enough they made the front of the 1970 hillman hunter look like the VG Valiant!
@@markbehr88mum bought a set for her VG Safari in the late 70's- all 4 seperated the casings with huge bubbles under the treads within 6 months. All got replaced with olympics free from the local dealership. Dad ranted about how crap they were for a decade, I swear.
Cf. around this time the movie Man From Hong Kong came out with a famous (infamous) car chase with a Charger showing the ruggedness of the unstoppable V8 770, would have been seen by many movie-goers over there
Have that movie. It was a 265 Hemi. Story is Chrysler lent them the car to do the film but it wasnt to be damaged. After the chase scene, they sent it to a panel shop and got it fixed, gave it back to Chrysler hoping nothing was noticed......
At 7:58 the seat belt buckle release button has the three diamond Mitsubishi logo. I wonder whether they just changed that or thought 'our' seat belts weren't up to their standards and changed the whole belts?
Good pick up. I did not notice that. I reckon it may have been a rebranding exercise? Our seatbelts were based on the US ones so certainly not inferior to any Japanese belts. Probably the same belts just with a different buckle to give Mitsubishi so e branding equity?
I took a 360 for a test drive back in the day, drank like a fish alright ! took it back. The dealer only wanted $750 for it. Nice car, but too thirsty.
Here is a cool video on some extremely rare Australian Chryslers that were sold in Japan through Mitsubishi dealers - the Chrysler by Chrysler and Valiant Charger 770. Please 👍Like👍 and Subscribe for more old car videos. What do you think of the Japanese Charger front styling compared to the Australian one?
Instrument ID for charger was in original english for japanese version imagine their cars here the same would be a safety concern and wouldnt be accepted but japs wanted extra mirrors indicator lights etc on charger.
Japanese charger veddy good.
I really like that 'sporty' looking steering wheel in the 770. I'd go for that today!!
@@geoffhipwell2198 Yes it looks great. In fact the whole interior looks excellent.
@@Eric-kn4yn Veddy good indeed. 😀👍
I am unable to drive because of my slightly mentally disabled status. But i do appreciate classic cars because of my very patient and wonderful parents. They helped me love cars which were driven on a racetrack and bought in racing spec!! My young self plays with LEGO Speed Champions cars to compensate and they are my way of connecting me to big blocks. I would love to drive one day though... But great video. Love Chryslers.
@@SkodaYetiFan96 Thanks very much and glad you enjoyed it. Apart from the actual cars and driving, I really enjoy collecting the models (kits, diecasts etc) and brochures. In this way you can really enjoy your passion and amass a pretty extensive and varied collection. All the best. 👍
@@markbehr88 cheers mate
I had a black ch chrysler by chrysler. It was an ex commonwealth of Australia car . 360,727 torqueflite. Air,steer full cloth interior. All electric windows.
Wow. I’d love that today 🤔👍
Wow We learn something everyday😊 , good video Mark .
Never ever would i have imagined some of the big valiants would end up in japan.
I love the old simple cars like these , if they made them again id happily buy one over a modern computer car or electric car.
@@mikldude9376 Thanks. Glad you liked it. 👍
Great story Mark. There's was so much more to the Aussie car industry than what met the eye - and it's so much appreciated when you uncover gems like this.
These cars had so much character as opposed to the (mostly) bland bubble cars we are offered these days.
I'm sure there'd be a few Japanese owners still worshipping the few good Chargers and Chryslers left over there. Would be really something to track some down.
Hi Mark, thanks for this. My cousin was a Chrysler dealer in Sydney growing up, so I was lucky enough to have a succession of fabulous Valiants to drool over as a kid. I can remember my cousin turning up in a new 770 Charger, it hadn’t been released formally so I was over the moon. I can’t recall what motor it had buy it went like stick. From old Safari wagons, pacers, 245 and 265 sedan, Ve, Vh to etc I just love em. I still recall the adds on TV when they released an electronic ignition, the fire brigade hosed the engine bay down and it of course started no problem. That was quite something in an era of British cars that stopped after most puddles or heavy rain.
Thank you.
Interesting. Which dealer was that as I used to look after most of them as Mitsubishi dealers in the later 1980’s? The fire brigade ad concept was copied from a US Chrysler electronic ignition. 👍
I was only aware of the HJ Holden Premier being sold as a Mazda in Japan. Thanks Mark......this was very interesting as I was never aware that Aussie Chryslers were sold in Japan.
@@George-dl7gv Thanks very much. Glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Yeah, the mazda roadpacer rotary powered holden 👍
Yes. They sold a few there. 👍
The Chrysler 318 engine was a fairly common and reliable engine here in the United States of America.
Of the V-8 engines that Chrysler produced, it was also fairly economical to operate.
Thanks for sharing!
Please have an excellent and awesome day!
☀️✨🌟🚘
@@mikecarbone828 Thanks very much. Yes the 318 was a super reliable engine. 👍
We had a different spec 318 here. It was a normal 318 but was upgraded and called a 318 Fireball. It had a different camshaft and all had the single plane 2bbl intake with the B&B Carter 2bbl. They were rated at 230hp and 340ft/lb.
They were really common. When the Fireball was released it was the only 318 available. Before and after the Fireball there were other 318s including the ELB. All had 2bbl carbs and very average centre discharge exhaust manifolds - none ever had Thermoquads or anything like that. There were OEM 4bbl 340s here too but they weren't common. Also the 360 was common, most of them being 2bbl, having J heads but without the 340 size valves.
@@ThePaulv12 Thanks for that additional info 👍
@@ThePaulv12we had the 318 in the VF and the Fireball was either the option up, or the next year version- in the VG. Once the fireball came, the standard 318 was dropped. The camshaft was the same, but advanced 8 degrees at the sprocket- thats the difference between the 2 motors.
I had a Fireball 318 in my ‘70 VG VIP that l bought at 23 in ‘86. In Australia, this was a big motor. I miss the sound of it shifting down under hard acceleration, sigh.
When I was on working holiday in London in 1974 I saw a XA GT Sedan with Vic plates in Kings Cross . Of course outside Australia House were a couple of Falcons. A guy I worked with had a VC V8 Sedan and I also saw a couple of Chargers and a XW Fairmont Wagon. The funniest thing was a top spec Hillman Hunter with a chauffer and a business guy in the back.
I was on the UK in the early 80's & we were heading up to Scotland & had an XA 2 door Fairmont - mustard in colour fly pass us at a rapid rate of knots. I had to look twice in my rear views thinking I was seeing things. I wonder if it still exists.
I was in Britain in 17 and saw several Aussie Falcons. AU, BA XR6s and a very plain white FG in Edinburough. Have seen clips of numerous Aussie cars meeting up in a car park in England somewhere. Commodores, Falcons from the 70s up and even a couple of Valiants. All were sold there in limited numbers at various times. Seen a VF VIP destroyed in a 80s Brit TV cop show.
@@ldnwholesale8552an episode of The Professionals features a car chase with a VE Valiant, and Alexei Sayle's music video of Ullo John gotta new motor shows an orange Charger 770 in the background in a car yard behind the Cortina. Worth a perv!
In 1982 when visiting the Isle of Wight UK, I saw a vf valiant sedan in the town of Cowes.
I still have the photo.
A surprise Aussie Chryslers were sold in Japan, i did know of the hj Premier sold as a mazda roadpacer with a rotary engine . Thanks for the video.
@@fatbudgiekillen8997 Thanks very much. They even sold EK Holdens in Japan. 👍
The fifties at 60s Australian Chryslers that were built on 1954 Dodge bodies with 1956 Plymouth front end and rear fins are way cool. The 318 Poly was a fine engine.
@@leewilliams2094 Yes the Chrysler Royal. 👍
Was the Royal not a Aussie Chrysler
@@moparmadman1134 Yes it was. 👍
@@markbehr88they were designated AP1, 2, 3, etc. The AP5 was the first Australian produced Valiant to put perspective into Aussie produced Chryslers.
@@rossbrumby1957 You will like my Valiant series. Coming soon so please Subscribe. 👍
Hi Mark. Glad it arrived, and to a fellow content creator 😊
@@wasabicars Thanks very much. I’ve watched (and liked) a few of your videos. Very interesting. I’d like to get one of those HQ Isuzu Statesman brochures eventually too. 👍
I had no ideia that Chrysler sold cars in Japan in the 60's and 70's. Always learning something new. Great video!! Thanks for posting !
Thanks very much. It was news to me too. 👍
I have lived in Japan since 1991 and have never seen one... I have seen an EK Holden and the Mazda/Holden rotary x 2 tho ( 47. 6 ) on the back of your brochure is 6th month of the 47th year of the Showa era, so June 1972
Interesting. Thanks for the clarification re the year of the brochure too. 👍👍
Looks like my 65 Plymouth Baracuda. Beautiful style
Agree. 👍👍
OMG I have so many stories. I lived halfway between Woodville and Tonsley as a teenager. Heard ALL the stories.
@@royferntorp Very cool. Do share some for the subscribers! 👍
@@markbehr88 Will do. You have do do the AP's. My world didn't start until the late V series. Think G
@@royferntorp I’ll do them all so stay tuned. 👍
Who knew? I didn't have any clue the early-mid 1970s Chryslers sold in Japan. It's well known, however, that Holden Australia sent a lot of medium-large car product to South Africa and even the Middle-East; and then much later even to the USA. But here's a fun fact... *Holden HJ Premiers were sold at the same time in Japan as those Chryslers! They were called the Mazda Roadpacer, and - wait for it - they were fitted with ROTARY ENGINES!!*
That’s right and there was a later HX version too plus HQ Statesmans were soldin Japan by Isuzu. 👍
@@markbehr88 Never knew that about the Isuzu "Statesman". Fancy finding out this stuff after 50 years:)
@@rosskelly8268 I know! 😀👍
Excellent history lesson. Never knew that Aussie Chrysler sold cars in Japan. Thanks.
@@russellhammond4373 Pleasure. Glad you liked it. 👍
Wow! Didn't know about this I think some variants and Mitsubishis traded badges in Australia too?
I can't imagine the Japanese really liking such large cars - so weird.
Also, that advertising material really made these cars look GREAT.
Yes, there was the GE Chrysler Sigma sold which was a Mitsubishi Galant (ep on channel) plus Lancers, Galants sold as Chryslers too. 👍
G'day Mark,
Great video, never knew they exported Chrysler to Japan.
Don't mind the look of the Charger with the twin headlight front without the loop around Chrysler by Chrysler bumper bar.
That dash was know as the fish scale dash. Originally available on the VH E55 340 SE Charger & nothing else.
The VH 770 Charger had fake woodgrain & no tacho just speedo & clock.
I am sure there are a few in a couple of barns in Japan somewhere.
Cheers
Louis Kats 👍
@@louiskats5116 Thanks Louis. I don’t mind that Charger front either. 👍
@@markbehr88 👍👍👍
No, I had no idea they sold these in Japan either.
@@peterriggall8409 Yes. Pretty cool hey. 👍
This is a very well-presented post, Mark. Well done. For many, many years, I have wondered why people refer to Chrysler products, such as Dodge, De Soto, Plymouth, Valiant, etc., as MOPARS. No other vehicle is nicked named after its spare parts division, like an AcDelco 253 or a big AcDelco 350. When was the last time you heard someone saying " A very cool Motorcraft GTHO"? Yet everyone seems to call a Charger 340 a Big MOPAR. Most people wouldn't know that MOPAR stands for Motor parts. My old man used to say, "It's not a MOPAR; it's a bloody Chrysler made up of MOPAR parts." In the case of Fords, FOPAR would have caused some smiles and derogatory comments. I had no idea that Chryslers were sold in Japan, I would love to hear their accent attempting to say Chrysler Valiant Charger.. How funny.
@@aussiebaz5363 Thanks very much. Yes, it is unusual. I guess it is one way to have a catch all phrase for all Chrysler products? 🤔👍
Wasabi Cars, a channel by an Australian living in Japan, sais from his coverage of JDM Aussie Chryslers that "At this stage I highly doubt there remains in Japan a running example of the 240 Down-Under-sourced Chryslers. Certainly not-so-much as a hubcap has surfaced online."
One of the other things he noted was often no Vinyl Roof as was universal in Australian.
@@johnd8892 That’s who actually sold me the brochure! I think he did show a Charger for sale at a dealer somewhere on his channel ? 👍
Wasabi Cars is one of the best channels for sure!
@@Pelleministeri Yes. Interesting content. 👍
While most Chrysler Cruiser has vinyl tops by far it was not standard. I owned an all white 360 CK and wrecked a rusty silver VH. There was a an all red CJ or CK about decades ago.
@@ldnwholesale8552 Yes, I have seen them without vinyl roofs but they look better with it imo. 👍
Oh wow, these are nice spec cars in Japan! I particularly like the Charger 770 with the C by C Grill treatment. Very very smart!!
Yes. Me too. 👍
@@markbehr88 Mate I'm looking at a Charger right now...if it had that upspec grill, I'd be stoked. Strange we never got it 😞
@@markhooper1352 Yes, I quite liked it. Shame they didn’t do a special edition. 👍
Glad they never did it here- looked tacky, like a wannabe dodge charger grille.
@@rossbrumby1957 I like it. 👍
Thanks mark. I had no idea that Chrysler was sending these to Japan?!
I own a Chrysler myself (on my channel). Bloody nice cars. Bewdy mate.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. 👍
You are creating an impressive historical record of all the cars you cover Mark.
Thank you for your informative vids.
@@nkelly.9 Thanks very much. Appreciate it. 👍
Great presentation. Being from the US, it’s fascinating to see the stuff we never see here. Thanks for sharing! 🔧
@@mikeyerke3920 Thanks very much 👍
Awesome bud! I owned couple of hot chargers back in the day when we were hooning in the 80’s. I’ve got an old 61 dodge phoenix Aussie delivered. Only handful in the country. 318 push button auto. Good fun.
@@barsixful Thanks. Yes, they were very affordable back then. Nice Phoenix too. 👍
I owned a valiant safari torqueflight station wagon when I was 15 yrs old,push button automatic and had a slant 6 cylinder engine in it. And later on in my early 20s I owned a Chrysler valiant CL station wagon that was a 3 on the tree manual with a 245 ci hemi 6 cylinder engine. Both cars were led sleds on the roads but reliable and comfortable,great for long distance travel.
@@Healthliving1967 very cool. 👍😎
That was interesting Mark, thanks for sharing another of your awesome videos. I am pretty sure that these went to the UK as well as a 318 Regal wagon they called an Estate. Strange that Japan missed out on the wagon though.
@@area51isreal71 Thanks very much. You’re right re the UK. 🇬🇧👍
We had 3. 360 c x c the last one had the light look across the back . The car was black vinyl top and white body . One I had in 1988 was all metallic blue no vinyl top . The other one was metallic green bone top . Seen one in 1986 on parramatta Rd in a car yard all pale blue no vinyl top . By the way the green one did not come with electric windows 🙀. Owned over 50 Mopars . Never had a problem with fuel ⛽️ efficiency in our C by C . And they were country driven . A bloke I knew had a metallic brown one with a cream top on the horse stud yes he said it used to a lot of fuel ⛽️. But as he took of one day fuel ⛽️ was coming out of the filling neck 🙀😵💫. No wounder he had bad fuel economy 😂. But in 1985 I owned A one owner CL SE Regal 318 light metallic brown with a cream top and red trim floor shift . They are waaaaay more classy in side then any c by c I fitted twin system and a Holley it came with 14 x7 sanky benson wheels and I fitted 235 60 tyres on it she sit with ease 100 mph . Yes and it leaked fuel ⛽️ from the filler neck as well . The straps tend to come undone . 👍🏻🇦🇺.
@@brianandglendaharkin9457 Interesting. I never noticed fuel coming out the back but my friend’s Go Green one used to drink a lot too. Power windows were options as mine had them but his did not. It drank more than my 455 Buick Riviera. But it went like stink. 👍
Fantastic video Mark. Would be great be great if you could cover the other Aussie exports like the Mazda Roadstar and Fairmont GT.
@@philnorbury9032 Thanks. I may do those too, if I can source the brochures. I do like the HJ and HX Mazda Road Pacers and the HQ Statesman sold via Isuzu dealers. Very interesting stuff. I’d love to find a South African Fairmont GT brochure too. 👍
The last Charger off the production line had Every Option and Optional Extra added.
Each particular part was signed by the people who handled and fitted them.
Drive train, suspension, brakes, etc. were in full race trim. Exterior, painted in Arctic Polar White (a one time only tint), Black Textured Vinyl roof, chrome in all the usual places. Including V.I.P. and Chrysler Executive badges, and Chrysler's Wreath and Heritage Emblem. Later being on the "C" pilar, over the black vinyl that extended down from the roof.
A black (XW GTHO like) Wing mounted to the boot lid.
Yes, BOOT. Because a Trunk is a large case, made of wood and leather, typically used to hold clothing whilst at sea!
Yes, a wing, even though it had the iconic duck tail.
Also, chrome side pipes exhaust with slotted heat covers.
98 mph in 2nd gear, wheel spin in 3rd ...
@@snakezdewiggle6084 Very interesting 👍
Hi Mark, Did not know these Chryslers were for export. I did see one of these Chargers the coupe at a classic car show about 5-6 years ago, in Oswestry a town on the Wales-England border, parked amongst cars from the Rootes group and Chrysler UK, Hillman Hunters , Avengers, Imps and this green Charger and it was the V8 can't remember what it cc was. I was an amazing looking car and it was a beast compared to the Imp next to it. Great video catch you soon Take care
@@shaun30-3-mg9zs Thanks Shaun. Yes, pretty interesting seeing these cars sent around the world. 👍
Theres a youtuber in Britain does "discovering" abandoned estates, one vid has a Valiant Charger in a barn by a house abandoned full of belongings. So sad to see the poor girl rusting. Looks pretty clean but might not have much floor...... one Aussie rescued a 1 of 1 automatic R/T Charger- brought it back to Aust to restore- consisted mainly of lacy rust holes and was a strip down to sub frames resto. Theres big articles on it to see.
@@rossbrumby1957 I have seen some of his videos It's sad to see these cars rust away
@@rossbrumby1957 Interesting. 🤔👍
As I was a young person in those days I always remember that it was considered if you did not own a Ford or a Holden but owned a Chrysler of any sort you were looked down upon.
@@Neil-Aspinall I feel that was more the 1970’s models back then. Chryslers were a step up in the 1960’s. 👍
That’s so cool.
I honestly never knew that. 👍
@@stephenrogers9664 Thanks. Glad you liked it. Please Subscribe if you haven’t already. 👍
Pretty sure that New Zealand built Rover P6bs ended up in Japan as well. We got some here in Australia that must have been destined for Japan but ended up here in Australia instead.
There’s a great car brochure shop in the back streets of Tokyo. Google translator is a god send in Japan!
Way back when eBay and the internet was in its infancy the JDM Charger 770 brochures used to pop up for sale once or twice a year but never the CxC ones.
@@GL-xz3xk Yes, I am very pleased I was able to buy this brochure. 👍
Well I never knew Aussie Chryslers were sold in Japan, I knew about the Holdens. Thanks for the info and video.
@@elephantgiftstore My pleasure. It is pretty cool isn’t it? 👍
@@markbehr88 Very cool. How times have changed.
@@elephantgiftstore For sure. 👍
That explains the fender mounted mirrors Chrysler in Episode 2 of Ultraseven (1967)
@@kimjongoof5000 I’ll have to check that out 👍
I know holden sold h-series shells to mazda but i never knew about Chrysler selling valiants in japan. Thats a massive car for Japanese roads
Yes and Holden sold the HQ Statesman too. 👍
(Disk Brakes) stamped on pedal 😊... I grew up there 61~82 & pretty much all vehicles were stick shifts. Also boss got driven around while grunt (me) drove. Back then (60z ~70z) females didn't drive either. Very different culture & most engines were 1000 ~1200 cc... 16~18~2000cc were the "hot sporty" models unless twas Mazda's rotary which was in a league of its own. 1st time watching & I subscribed... peace from Tucson
@@JTA1961 Thanks very much. Love Arizona! 👍
The front of the Japanese Charger reminds me of the New Zealand spec VJ Valiant Regal. They Aussie VJ Regal had single front headlights whereas the NZ spec had the dual front headlights and I think VH turn signal/park lights
@@DpriaN303 Yes, I do recall seeing those when I worked for Holden NZ in Upper Hutt. I think the Chrysler plant was along the freeway in Petone?
@@markbehr88 I think so. I remember going through the Mitsubishi assembly plant in Porirua near Wellington when I was an apprentice mechanic back in around 1986/7
@@DpriaN303 Yes. I was there around 1997. 👍
Those NZ VJ Regal front ends looked great. I'd always assumed that was how they were in Australia too.
@@waterbourne9282 Agreed. They looked better than Aussie version. Made by Todd Motors. 👍
Kinda reminds me of Holden Kingswood exported to Japan and marketed as the Mazda Roadpacer with the 13B rotary engine
@@stephenwarhurst6615 Yes. 👍
THANKS! Those were some great cars.
@@THEScottCampbell 👍
That Blue 770 is Beautiful !!!
Agree. 👍
Had a 73 770 charger with a 4.3 Lt. Manual. Lovely car. It was burgundy and I would have liked it in blue.
@@Auzziebobz That would have been a great car. 👍
318 replaced the 360 in the local market CK Chrysler, in July '76, due to ADR 27A. The air conditioning was as integrated as anyone else's, apart from the outlet being mounted below the dash, because there were no face level vents. The dual headlight, Chrysler grille setup in the Charger, was much the same as some NZ market Regals.
@@TAVOAu Yes. The lack of face level vents being the main variation from competitors. 👍
Thanks Mark interesting video .looking forward to the Holden series. Keep up the great work.
@@GerardDaly-y1n Thanks Gerard 👍👍
VK's and CK's were chock full of 360's as it was the last chance model to offload them, the 360 was gone from the CL options list. 265's were quicker in Valiants anyway, and waaay more economical.
Australian enginers designed some brilliant cars and ideas Chrysler by Chrysler a good car
Very true!
They were the ultimate in making the most of a tiny budget.
@@commodorenut That’s right. All of our Australian manufacturers did amazing things on relatively small budgets. 👍
Thanks Mark, interesting little side trip on a Thursday night. Quick Q: Are they JDM because they were specifically for the, well, 'JDM'? I'd never thought of it the other way around, they tend to sell me stuff. Cheers.
@@UncleJoeLITE Thanks. Yes, Japanese Domestic Market specific cars. 👍
Well done again Mark. Now how about considering researching and presenting South African Falcons (including Fairmont GT), Valiants and Holdens (badge Chevrolet).
@@MarkWiggins-u8v Thanks. I think I will do those at some stage. 👍
Theres a S.African movie- A dry white season (1989) starring Donald Sutherland. Bad cop drives a VJ? Valiant and runs him down near the end of the movie- it has a t bar shifter i recognised from my KB Centura. The mix n match of global mopar parts is interesting.
Thanks, I’ll have to check it out. Vale Donald too. 👍
What a great video thank you.
Very interesting.
I had no idea these were sold in japan.
@@McRcFly Thanks very much 👍
@markbehr88 have you seen the new magazine they released a month or so ago?
It's got all the iconic Aussie cars .. a model and a magazine.
I have the first two issues the monaro and the chrysler charger one.
Check it out if you like.
Australian cars the collection it's called.
@@McRcFly I have seen the ads but not the models. Will check them out. 👍
I saw a dark blue VJ Valiant in a car yard in Bangkok in 2003. I had to ask the taxi driver to pull over so I could check out this unicorn. On closer examination, I was aghast to find it had been retro-fitted with a rb20. It still haunts my reverie.
@@Simon.the.Likeable I know how you feel! 🫣👍
Rb20 what is that?
@@moparmadman1134 Toyota 4 cylinder engine. 👍
@@moparmadman1134 Not a 265 or 360 Mopar of course.
@markbehr88 Hi mate. Sorry to "nay say", but I'm sure that the RB20 is a 6cyl Nissan engine. Their 4cyl FJ20 was coming to end around the time it came out, and the SR20 four was the replacement. The people obviously had no idea about the benefit of cubic inches when they did the swap!
That was really interesting Mark, never knew Chryslers and Valiants were available in Japan. Hmmm wonder if there are any left over there????
@@RoyS-ld7xu Thanks. I thought it was fascinating too. There must be at least some there I reckon? 👍
Really?! wow cool, thanks for this interesting content
@@rorybellamy2533 My pleasure. 👍
Notice the japanese charger with chrysler grille, VH indicator housings also had charger badge instead of valiant on the panel in front of the bonnet.
@@rossbrumby1957 Yep. Interesting. 🤔👍
Thanks Mark, some very interesting data, which I never knew. The Charger in Japan was just at another level to my eyes. I really wonder how much these would have cost in Japan, with their large bodies and even larger engines. This makes me think about how detached from reality the Yanks were, when they considered their poor sales figures in Japan, without even realising that Japan drove on the right-hand side of the road.
@@Steven-p4j Thanks. 👍
The price of the cars is quoted on the brochure, but to make any sense after all these years it would be best to have it compared to other upmarket Japanese cars of the time to understand how much of a stretch it would be for a Japanese buyer. There might also be high annual registration and taxes depending where it was garaged. Both the dimensions of the car and engine size got increasingly taxed in Japan as I understand it. The person who supplied Mark with the brochure might be the person well placed to give these comparisons.
@@johnd8892 Thanks for that info. I bought it off Wasabi Cars. A fellow content creator. 👍
To complete your set, all you need now is a UK and Thailand Chrysler marketing fliers. You probably already know this, but the American movie 'Good Morning Vietnam' is famous for having several Australian 1970s Chrysler on display in the background in the market and road scenes. The film was made in Thailand.
@@pauljenks4901 I’ll have to keep an eye out. 👍
Our first car in Australia was a Chrysler Sigma. Later on they were renamed Mitsubishi Sigma when Chrysler left the market.
@@iggytse Yes. They were all really Mitsubishis (Galants in Japan) but badged as Chryslers before Mitsubishi bought out Chrysler Australia. If you look on the channel there is an episode of a GE Chrysler Sigma SE. 👍
At 3:33 those side indicator lenses look amazingly similar to the LA Lancer items. Same for the Charger reversing light, all Lancer. Obviously didn't have to look too far among the company's spare parts inventory.
@@chrisbenn8691 Yes, I think you may be right there? 👍
Thank you Mark. This was quiote interesting and had great footage. These Chrysler had better looking interiors compared to the American Chryslers of the time. That cassette tape player was interesting. Those did not appear on cars here until the 1980's. They were still using 8 track players. The difference between the Australian and Japanese models are very interesting. It seems like the American branch of Chrysler was behind. The Charger you shared is extremely different from the United States model. It just seems Chrysler was doing more for the market outside the United States. That sedan looked like the Dodge Monaco we had here in the United States. Great video.
@@OLDS98 Thanks Olds98. Glad you liked it. Yes, the Chrysler by Chrysler front bumper was directly inspired by the US Dodges. 👍
@@markbehr88bright green charger small thumbnail right upper was a VK i think i was on production line tonsley park switch over from VJ to VK.
@@Eric-kn4yn The VK has the newer tail lights. 👍
@@markbehr88 Thank you Mark. Thank you again for the video and confirning what I thought. You can ckearly see the influence. I still find it interesting the interiors are so different frim American Chrysler. It just seems baxk in the day the auto indusrty and others had respect for GM, Ford and Chrysler. Something happened over time. The video still was quite good.
Thanks. I think Chrysler Australia probably used some interior US elements but maybe more of a focus on better instruments, although this is the 770 level spec. The base Ranger in the sedan had a strip speedo, but the Regals and 770s had very nice interiors for sure. 👍
Very interesting ,I never would have imagined that Valiants were exported to Japan. That photo of the silver Chrysler by Chrysler, I thought it looked like it might be the dimensions of a VH or VJ Valiant sedan , and not the longer wheelbase that our Chrysler by Chrysler's are ? , maybe it's my imagination? . Seeing those reflectors and reversing lights below the bumper on the Japanese models reminds me of a VH station wagon owned by a workmate years ago, it had rectangular clear lensed indicators in the front valance panel below the bumper ( as well as the normal side indicators) , I'm not sure how common that was?
@@barrycuda3769 Yes it’s very interesting. The dimensions are at the latter part of the video. Definitely a Chrysler by Chrysler wheelbase. 👍
@@markbehr88Ok .
Never knew about these cars. being exported. I wonder how many CBC or Chargers were sold in Japan? At least they had proper engines, and if you don't get that reference, look up Mazda Road Pacer.
@@garyzimmer4149 Yes, I get it. 😀. I think a total of 200 max. 👍
In NZ, our Regal 770 VJ's had the CxC grill/lights also
@@NapalmBond Yes. I do recall that as I lived in NZ when I was Holden National Sales Manager in the late 1990’s. Todd Motors assembled them. 👍
I have an Australian built CH '71, appreciate this video, incidentally it's the longest hardtop (2 door) produced in the southern hemisphere
@@CunningLinguistics-k7b Very cool. Love that design. 👍
@@markbehr88 360, most balanced motor
@@CunningLinguistics-k7b And lovely torque. 👍
@@CunningLinguistics-k7bV8's arent the most balanced motor. Straight sixes are, among others, like V12's boxer sixes, flat 12's.
@@rossbrumby1957 the Australian built 360 cube will not only run, but start with a glass of water filled to the brim without spilling a drop!, Not only do I show that to friends and others but it was part of Chrysler Australia marketing for the CH ! Historical fact proven by myself 🇦🇺
Nice car I had the 360 cubic big block in one.
Wish I had it still
@@colinhayter4029 My mate had an ex highway patrol VK 360 Charger. It was really fast. Gobs of torque. 👍
@@markbehr88
Lots of that.
I recall taking on a Ho along parramatta road late one night.
No matter how hard that Falcon roared lifting a front end up in every gear change.
That ole Chrysler stayed aside near rubbing door handles all the way from Beefies to Guildford rd.
Never found a road long enough to see how fast it could realy go
@@colinhayter4029 Yes. They had gobs of torque for sure. 👍
Hi mark great video the key barrel looks like a vh also the rear demister was optional until the update in late 74 ,
@@peterclark2230 Yes. Apparently the brochure is 1972 so VH spec. 👍
Yeah, front indicators were VH.
Spent many a weekend cruising in my mates 770 charger 25 years ago. Good times
Yes, my mate Gerard and I used to borrow a 265 VH 770, orange in colour, floor shift auto. Great fun. It was his Mum’s friend’s car and she also loaned us her Datsun Fairlady convertible, red in colour. We didn’t even have licences but it was great fun. 👍
@@markbehr88 the 90’s was so good. I had a VC regal. Mates were brothers, one had the 770 orange manual black vinyl roof, other had a VG pacer. Those Japanese editions are interesting. Like many other viewers of the video I never knew about them
Great times hey👍
In 1984 I bought a VH series Charger - 4 litre 3 speed in good nick for $1400. I wanted the 4.3 4 speed but they were all about a grand more which I thought was too expensive! (cry) Gorgeous looking car and surprisingly economical (for the time) with a Holly fitted. Rusted out eventually when they were still considered a heap of junk. How I miss it now!
@@every1665 Yes. I had a mate with an XL 4 litre. I think it was a three speed manual but it went very well. A bright non metallic blue. 👍
Wouldve been better on fuel with a stock Carter 2bbl. I had a VH 265 auto Charger in 1986, metallic golden brown. 265's were more economical again, with a slightly warmer cam and bigger valves. I put an economy cam in my 245 VJ ranger that had factory 4 spd, twin system, stock carter 2bbl was good for 34.5 mpg if I didnt go over 100kmh. Would have loved an overdrive single rail from an XF Falcon but they werent yet cheap in 1993! Ps, they're economical for right now, too. Full size cars struggle to get 32mpg now with overdrive because theyre so heavy. A 6 cyl Charger was 1350kg, a falcon 6 now is 2-3 hundred kilos more.
@@rossbrumby1957 Also with all the big Chryslers, they were so roomy! On long country drives you could stretch your left leg right out and get really comfy. Modern cars all have those huge centre consoles which I hate.
The 318 would have been on offer as Japanese Road Tax was engine-capacity related.
That's why, say, a 910 Bluebird JDM had the 1.8, and not the 2.0 litre that we got down here in "Oceania", which I believe is the PC terminology for OZ and NZ combined...
Yes, makes sense. 👍
G'day Mark. Another awesome video! We've gotten Japanese Chryslers here in the USA. We got the Dodge Colt, based on the Mitsubishi. I remember we got a car called the Dodge Challenger, based I think on the Mitsubishi Sigma or some damn name that I don't recall. I remember seeing one parked next to an earlier Dodge Challenger and joked *"That's not a Challenger!"* looks at the earlier model, *"That's a Challenger!"* Kind of a silly play on an old movie line. If you can guess the movie line and movie, you'll get what I'm playing at. 🙂
Hi Jason. Yes, that Challenger was a re badged Mitsubishi Scorpion. A good looking car but not a Challenger. I would much rather an original 1970 model any day of the week. 👍😀
@@markbehr88 For me, it depends the year. I like the 1970-72 Challenger. But I've never liked the 1973-76 Challenger.
Sure, the early ones are much better. 👍
@@markbehr88 I was *way* too young at the time to drive a car, but I remember cars like these. I had a neighbour when I was a boy who had a 1971 Dodge Challenger. I can't remember what the trim level was, whether it was a Special Edition. But I thought it was one of the best looking Mopar cars produced. 🙂
@@jasoncarpp7742 Yes, there are a couple of Challenger videos on my channel. 1970 and 71. 👍
Mr. B. Here ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍🇺🇸. From the states am a fan of the Japanese vehicles , Am a Oldsmobile guy ! But I see thing in these vehicles that were lifted from GM models 50’s & 60’s one item the clock on the console. Very interesting & very informative video, thank you ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍🇺🇸
Mr B , if you like Oldsmobile,s , the rarest ( sort of Oldsmobile) was the late 1970 s General Motors Holden LE Monaro Two Doors, that had the " Honeycomb Pontiac wheels standard" and the story goes , when the 1979 American president of GM Holden was retiring and going home to the US he wanted one of the LE Two Door Holden Monaro s , but they came with the Aussie only 308 ci Holden V8, he would not be able to get parts back in the US , so as the LE had Trans Am wheels already he got three LE Monaro s installed with 403 ci Oldsmobile V8s and T400 transmission ( the T400 was standard behind the Aussie 308 ci anyway) these cars still exist the one he took back to the US is still there , the other 2 somewhere in Australia. Holden did have plans to have the 1977 to 1979 Long wheel base Statesman 4 door and Two door LE Monaro be available with the 403 ci Olds as the top of the line motor but it never went through . So somewhere in the US is a Two Door Holden Monaro LE with a 6.6 Olds .
@@debbiebermudez5890 Thanks very much. Glad you liked it. I have a few Oldsmobiles too. Will do some more videos on them at some stage. So far just my 79 Toronado and Aurora plus a friend’s 78 Toronado. 👍
@@markbehr88 All I can say ! WOW I did not know any of that , thank you for the information . If I may ask if it is possible a photo of this in your market was ever made available, if you can showcase . Most folks here all they hear is about Chevy’s ! Oh I have 58 Olds Super 88 2dr no port, 64 Cutlass Convertible, 70 442 Convertible, 76 442 & Cutlass S , 84 Delta 88 Frankenstein. ☕️👀😎👍🇺🇸
@@debbiebermudez5890 Very cool. Oldsmobiles here were only sold up to the early 1950’s. After that they were special imports. All of my Oldsmobiles I imported from the USA. They include 66 Toronado, 74 Cutlass, 74 Custom Cruiser, 79 Toronado, 92 Olds 98, 96 Aurora. I would love a Curved Dash but they are a lot of $$$$
@@markbehr88 Mr. B. Here ! I found a photo of the LE wow it is a little of many GM cars here from 1970 to 1976 . Thank you !
Lets not forget the Hz premier with a rotary engine sold in japan.
@@andgate2000 Yes, it was actually HJ and HX and sold as the Mazda Roadpacer. 👍
And the Holden Statesman sold as the Isuzu Statesman with Greg Norman ( oops wrong Jack Nicklaus) on the advertising and brochures.
Not a big success only hundreds sold.
At least one surviving in a Japan museum.
@@johnd8892 Was it Greg Norman? I thought it was Jack Nicklas? 🤔👍
@@markbehr88 oops it was Jack Nicklaus. Too early for Greg Norman. Just re looked and at least one car survives in Japan.
Yes, there you go. 👍
At least the Aussie market cars were a more manageable size for the Japanese market compared with those from North America. Thinking back to the owner's manuals for 1970s Japanese cars and motorbikes imported to where I live, I couldn't help but think of some of the odd (and often amusing) terminology arrived at during the Japanese to English translations. I wonder what the Japanese thought of the English to Japanese translations in the Chrysler literature?
@@martinliehs2513 Yes, the Australian cars, while large for the Japanese, were still much smaller than their American counterparts. That would be amusing re doing a translation. You can screen shot them google translate. 👍
I wonder if there's any left in Japan? The Charger with C×C front end treatment looks sweet. Maybe this gave Chrysler the idea to make the CL?
@@AUmarcus Could be? 👍
Much nicer looking cars than the plastic things being built today
Yes. 👍
There's 4 chargers in the bush amongst many old vehicles,in the middle of pretty much nowhere ,lets just say north of Merredin, in great condition ,preserv3d by the dry climate very well ,they have been there unmolested for at least 35 years ..they would start rusting down south in the moist air,so getting them is Not saving them...I found them while legally sandalwood cutting in the scrub, and I quite like the thought of knowing they will be there whenever I want to go back
@@bigshowdownunder8969 Interesting. Would be nice to see them restored and used again though. 👍
I saw a black one at Woronora Cemetery with a Black long wheel base Chrysler by Chrysler wagon in 1975 ........ Hurst, my best gess it was a Valiant with the Chrysler by Chrysler front, the same as what was done with most of the Fords and Holdens.
Didn't stop to have a good look, my Grandfather had died
@@Bomaderry Yes, a mourning car with matching hearse. Understandable you weren’t focussed on the car. 👍
meanwhile Mazda put a either 12A or 13B rotary in the HJ/HX Kinsgwood and named them "Roadpacer".
Oh wow watching the "Charger" part of the video at seven minute mark, wow "Hey Charger" indeed.
@@351tgv Yes, pretty cool hey! 👍
A search for images of : Chrysler Valiant UK ads
Will reward with more of the story of when Chrysler UK hoped that importing Australian Valiants would be a simple low development cost replacement for the aging Humber Super Snipe.
Although they ended up being at Jaguar price levels in the UK they lasted from the VC first ones until the Charger era, but in small numbers.
Yes, I may do a story on those as well as the South African models for the Big Aussie 3 too. 👍
@@markbehr88 I suggested years ago that 'Big Car' YT channel cover the Chryslers and Valiants imported into the UK but he hasn't so far taken up the challenge. Be an interesting story there. Mark. Have you ever seen this clip where a VE VIP was destroyed in a UK television show ruclips.net/video/7dIXKpFJd-k/видео.html
Yes, I should do them. I will check out that clip too. Thanks 👍
Dont forget the cars that went to Vietnam. Watch good morning Vietnam there is on as a taxi.
Please do a story on the VFX and the two door vip 340 four speed that were crushed
@@petergracemeguide1280 Thanks. I’ll look into those other models you mentioned too. 👍
@@markbehr88 the VIP was around the time of the arguments with USA and pending charger release. The books were printed . It was a case like the cobras use up the last coupe body shells . Then they were squashed. My late uncle drove one , at time he said faster than management s HO test car and fastest he had been over the top of taps. He later went on to be a factory test driver for Mitsubishi . Don't forget the sigma turbo s. And the cop sigmas were all different. He delivered 2 of the four to SAPOl police barracks. A lot of testing was done with autos , cruise control and turbos across the ranges incl cl and cm but economy was the focus. The 3 door coupe colt had a suck Through molded carby manifold. This car became a group A race car at Bathurst . It currently is in Shepparton. In the chargers many things were tested at speedway Roly pk like the white knight speedway car . This was a public perception thing.
Please do a Valiant vh pacer segment. I had one that had Bathurst spec block . When I sold it everyone said it s engine prefix was wrong . Later it was told to me it was a big journal engine and ment for 4 speed . That car went to Portland Vic and under restoration. The vh pacer is rarer than an XY gt .
@@petergracemeguide1280 I will be doing a whole Valiant series so will cover the Pacers in those. First one is R Series. 👍
@@petergracemeguide1280vh pacer muscled out by vh charger.
Yes.
OMG, never knew!
@@MrGutfeeling There you go. 👍
Yeah I had a 72 vj 265 "hey charger" got it up to 300hp still had the 2.9:1 diff and borgwarner 727 slushbox had great top end though pulled away from 1980s mercs easy, paid 6,000 nzd in 1984 now I would have to pay 80k aussie at today's prices, good times
@@brianOcurradhin Yes. Worth a lot more than most Mercedes. 😀👍
Was Holden Toranas and HQ Holdens sold in Japan also, bigger markets were in Africa and Indonesia..
@@nedkelly9688 I think they were sold in Hong Kong but the Statesman HQ was sold in Japan via Isuzu dealers. 👍
I had a datsun 180b with the fender mirror , they really work , sensible option eliminated blind spot
I’ve never used them so good to hear. 👍
Try adjusting them on your own- they suck. And because theyre so far away ,the picture and field of view is so small and narrow. Now you know why most of the world never used them. I rank convex passenger side mirrors right alongside them for reducing usefulness of mirrors.
Fair enough. 👍
@@rossbrumby1957 the JDm ones on my car had a constrictor clamp on the back , after getting someone's help all I had to do was use a spanner and Phillips screwdriver to set it up it wouldn't move in a month of Sunday's, I also had the wing mirrors on the doors in a time where cars had to option up the passenger side . Was driver side only back then as standard . As for visibility I had no problems with them .
Miss them today actually, I used to laugh at those little convex mirrors that you stuck to the straight glass , as I couldn't get used to them . Even had a family member commission a glazier to get rid of the factory convex , and promptly went to the pars shop and put one on the new glass 😵💫
The 318 was put into the 1972 group C homologation model with a four speed manual.
That would have been interesting but reckon the 265 six pack would be faster and lighter. 🤔👍
No it wasnt. The 340 E-55 was going to be but when the supercar scare hit, they continued with the E-49 265 and dropped an auto behind the 340 and rendered it just a 770 luxury beast. The 318 was never developed into a performance engine by Chrysler Australia or Chrysler corp USA.
Yes, they were “going to”. Hence, in the absence of that the 265 with the triple webbers ……
Did this arrangement between Chrysler and Mitsubishi have anything to do with the, "Take the Mitsubishi Bridge from Japan to Dodge" campaign a few years later?
@@danlowe8684 Chrysler had a stake in Mitsubishi and had quite a few examples of rebadging across the world. That campaign was probably just part of the relationship in place. Mitsubishi ultimately bought the Australian Chrysler operations in 1980/81. 👍
My Dad was plant manager at Chrysler Port Melbourne in early 70s And was regularly in Japan dealing with Mitsubishi who was owned by Chrysler at the time..He said that the Chrysler in Japan were made here originally and The Gallants ad Sigmas came back they also made hillman Hunters at Port Melbourne He had a Chrysler by Chrysler as his company car Then a Charger I liked both but the Chrysler has Air Con so it was awesome for the early 70s, He was previously National Parts Manager at Ford in Broadmeadows.
@@stupeters8409 Yes, there os a rumour that said, when Chrysler took over Rootes Group they were going to call the Port Melbourne operation Chrysler Rootes Australia - but then thought the better of it! I bet your Dad would have had some great stories? 👍
By the way, I think I saw a Mazda badged 'Holden' in Germany in a museum, could that be correct?
@@Neil-Aspinall Yes. The rotary powered Roadpacer. 👍
I wish we American Mopar guy would have gotten your Aussie Chrysler Valiant ute (all we got was the tin can lee iacocca 80s' Rampage)
@@Nomad-Rogers Yes, we had some nice utes including the Town and Country and the CL Drifter. 👍
My uncle owned a 318 Chrysler. Only yesterday I was looking at an original 318 Charger.
@@306champion Very nice. Be good to have one now. 👍
@@markbehr88my first car was an EJ with a third turn play in the wheel. My first real car was a VH Charger XL 265 auto bought it in 1986, still got the receipt, have had dreams I found the Charger every few years lately- wake up every time sad because those dreams i always seem to remember on waking.
@@rossbrumby1957 I know that feeling. 🥲
Australian designers don't get the credit they deserved but they're pushed to the back
I think Aussie designers have a great reputation globally. Mike Simcoe is Vic President of all GM design. 🤔👍
Im guessing these were the cars that brought chryslers to the attention of mitsubishi, who as we all know had a working relationship with chrysler australia from the late 70s and eventually took over operations in australia.
@@jesus_built_my_hotrod That relationship actually started quite a bit earlier in the 1960’s but certainly these cars were a flow on from that. 👍
Chrysler owned a stake in Mitsubishi, with them providing the captive import Dodge Colt for the US market.
@@seed_drill7135 Yes. There were quite a few models shared including the Lancer, Scorpion and many others, rebadged as Plymouths, Dodges etc. plus use of engines in K cars etc. 👍
@@markbehr88 The Dodge Lancer was a K car, not the same as the Mitsubishi Lancer. Weirdly, the Dodge Raider SUV was a rebadged Mitsubishi but the Mitsubishi Raider pickup (that came out much later) was a rebadged Dodge Dakota! Then there was the joint company Diamond Star Motors that gave us the Eagle Talon and the Eclipse.
@@seed_drill7135 Yes a lot of cross pollination! 🤔👍
The Charger 770 is a sleek looking muscle car from all angles ... Except for the front end. The grill looks like it should be on a sedan or more of a luxury car
@@TS1964 They lifted the grille from the luxury Chrysler for this Japanese market car. I included some images of the Australian Charger for comparison. 👍
Yeah, it's tacky as hell, looks like a 69 dodge charger wannabe. Original Aussie version is way cleaner. I had a VH Charger back in 86 when I was 17. Sexiest Aussie car to this day. Shame I cant afford one now.
I remember the Chrysler Valiant Lancer that had the Mitsubishi Saturn engine. I wander if that was also imported into Japan back in the day?
Probably not as I am sure they already had so many variants of the Lancer (nice looking little car for the day). They did send GJ Sigmas to the UK where they were sold as the Lonsdale. 👍
@@markbehr88 I did not know that about the Sigma. All those little cars were built strong with rear wheel drive. Sigma, Bluebird, Lancer, 200B,120Y, Stanza, 240K,etc,etc, Then FWD crap overtook the world.
Yes, although I did like (and do have) a Magna. 👍
Lancers werent badged as valiants, but they did put the valiant script badge on an early galant. Think they thought aussies wouldnt buy a "riceburner" if it wasnt badged as a valiant. Was bad enough they made the front of the 1970 hillman hunter look like the VG Valiant!
@@rossbrumby1957 Yes, I think I said “sold as Chryslers”. Thanks for the info 👍
You didn't notice the Dunlop Aquajet tyres, lucky buyers.
@@tezzrterry7485 No, I didn’t. Great tyres back in the day. 👍
@@markbehr88mum bought a set for her VG Safari in the late 70's- all 4 seperated the casings with huge bubbles under the treads within 6 months. All got replaced with olympics free from the local dealership. Dad ranted about how crap they were for a decade, I swear.
@@rossbrumby1957 Really?🤔
I like the long wheel base 2door valiant regel or Chrysler VIP.
@@PaulHayman-tq5kb I’ll take a VG VIP. 👍
Almost as weird as the Japanese Mazda Roadpacer which, from memory, was a Holden HJ body with a rotary under the bonnet.
@@howardwarren7683 Yes, HJ and HX Premier with the rotary. 👍
Cf. around this time the movie Man From Hong Kong came out with a famous (infamous) car chase with a Charger showing the ruggedness of the unstoppable V8 770, would have been seen by many movie-goers over there
@@RE1974 Available on DVD! 😀👍
Have that movie. It was a 265 Hemi. Story is Chrysler lent them the car to do the film but it wasnt to be damaged. After the chase scene, they sent it to a panel shop and got it fixed, gave it back to Chrysler hoping nothing was noticed......
@@rossbrumby1957 Very dodgy. No pun intended. 🤔👍
At 7:58 the seat belt buckle release button has the three diamond Mitsubishi logo. I wonder whether they just changed that or thought 'our' seat belts weren't up to their standards and changed the whole belts?
Good pick up. I did not notice that. I reckon it may have been a rebranding exercise? Our seatbelts were based on the US ones so certainly not inferior to any Japanese belts. Probably the same belts just with a different buckle to give Mitsubishi so e branding equity?
I took a 360 for a test drive back in the day, drank like a fish alright !
took it back. The dealer only wanted $750 for it. Nice car, but too thirsty.
@@Gokizzmass Heaps of torque but very, very thirsty. 👍
cool story
@@chriswolter6993 Thanks 👍