Jump to content

1967 VALIANT - CHEAP AND CHEERFUL WHEELS


Guest Rob McDonald

Recommended Posts

Guest Rob McDonald

I bought this Plain Jane '67 Valiant 100 in Seattle last week. It was reportedly owned by one woman for 35 years and I'm now its fourth owner. The old girl ordered a few options, including the larger 225 Slant Six engine (170 was still standard), a heater, an AM radio, and full wheel covers. Otherwise, this is the bottom of Chrysler's line for 1967: "three-on-the-tree" (column shift) manual transmission, non-power steering and brakes, non-metallic Bright Red paint. That's a misnomer. I'd call it a lively Bing Cherry red, when it's out in the sunshine. The left side was repainted at some time, badly, but the rest of the paint is original and in pretty good shape. I have not found any rust.

The interior is a matching middle red and is all-vinyl with black rubber mats. Some of the upholstery is falling apart, so a front seat blanket is deployed. There's an ugly puckered crack across the middle of the upper dashboard pad but it's all still functional. That describes the car generally: very functional and perfectly adequate as a transportation appliance - with a bit of character. I have two other project cars that could be more far exciting some day but right now this is all the car I need.

post-59990-143142012031_thumb.jpg

post-59990-143142012034_thumb.jpg

post-59990-143142012036_thumb.jpg

post-59990-143142012038_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Rob McDonald

Nope, not for sale until I get the '62 into Daily Driver condition, which could be a very long time. Probably a matter for my unfortunate heirs to worry about.

There are a few jobs that will make this car nicer to use. The lower driver's door hinge is sagged, which makes it necessary to slam the door. Very annoying, especially because the armrest/door pull is missing, probably because of all the slamming. I just happen to have a spare hinge, attached to my project car, which I can remove, install on the '67, and rebuild at my leisure. I hope they're the same.

Also, in time-honoured Chrysler tradition, this car is hard to start when the weather's cool and damp. No clue how it accumulated any miles in Seattle. I'll check the automatic choke for obviously flaws but will happily install a choke cable if that's easier. Finally, there's a leak around the windshield on the passenger side. Again, coming from Seattle, it's remarkable there's any floor left. Must have been parked out of the rain, mostly. Even without those tweaks, this sturdy, right-sized car is ready for duty.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Rob McDonald

HAROLD, thanks, I'll check the wiper posts. I just put new blades on - wow, what a difference. The shiny mylar locking strip on my windshield gasket is shabby and I'm missing several of the stainless steel corner pieces. However, it will serve me fine, if I determine that it's not actually leaking. I have found a smallish rust hole in the passenger side toe board, so water has been finding its way in, somewhere.

I'm liking this homely, honest car, the more I drive it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HAROLD, thanks, I'll check the wiper posts. I just put new blades on - wow, what a difference. The shiny mylar locking strip on my windshield gasket is shabby and I'm missing several of the stainless steel corner pieces. However, it will serve me fine, if I determine that it's not actually leaking. I have found a smallish rust hole in the passenger side toe board, so water has been finding its way in, somewhere.

I'm liking this homely, honest car, the more I drive it.

That windshield trim is difficult to find. A lot of guys use the 1968 stainless trim.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...