Chrysler Valiant (CL)

Chrysler Valiant (CL)
Chrysler Regal (CL)
Chrysler Charger (CL)
Chrysler Valiant (CL) ; Chrysler Regal (CL) ; Chrysler Charger (CL)
Curb weight	3172 lb (1439 kg) (Sedan)
Chronology
Predecessor	Chrysler Valiant (VK)
Successor	Chrysler Valiant (CM)

The Chrysler Valiant (CL) is an

Chrysler Australia from 1976 to 1978. The CL, which was the twelfth Australian Chrysler Valiant model, replaced the Chrysler Valiant (VK). It was also built in South Africa by Sigma, who marketed it there as the Chrysler SE.^[3]

Changes

The Chrysler CL models featured new grilles, a new nose cone and new bonnet,[1] and, (on sedans), new rear panels including boot lid, lower panel and quarter panel.^[1] A panel van body style was added to the range in April 1977.^[4]

Model range

The Chrysler CL passenger car range comprised 4 door

sedan, 5 door station wagon and 2-door coupe

body styles in the following models:

Chrysler Valiant Sedan [2]
Chrysler Valiant Wagon^[2]
Chrysler Regal Sedan^[2]
Chrysler Regal Wagon^[2]
Chrysler Regal SE Sedan^[2]
Chrysler Charger 770 Coupe^[2]

The Chrysler CL commercial vehicle range comprised a 2-door

coupe utility and a 2-door panel van

.

Chrysler Valiant Utility [2]
Chrysler Valiant Panel Van^[2]

Regal and Charger models were not designated as Valiants.^[2]

Chrysler CL Valiant sedan
Chrysler CL Valiant wagon
Chrysler CL Valiant wagon
Chrysler CL Regal sedan
Chrysler CL Regal sedan
Chrysler CL Regal SE sedan
Chrysler CL Charger 770 coupe
Chrysler CL Charger 770 coupe
Chrysler CL Valiant utility
Chrysler CL Valiant utility
Chrysler CL Valiant panel van
1977 Chrysler CL Valiant panel van

Limited edition models and option packs

A limited edition Chrysler Le Baron luxury model was announced in April 1978.^[5] 400 examples were produced.^[5]
A Charger XL model was available, but only as the K16 Police Pursuit Special with the 318 V8 engine and automatic transmission.^[2]
A Sports Pack was available for the Panel Van and the Utility as Option A53.^[6]
A Drifter Pack was offered for the Panel Van^[7] and Utility.^[8] Models fitted with this option were marketed under the Chrysler Drifter name.^[8]
A Charger Drifter pack was offered as Option A34 (white) and Option A49 (Impact Orange, Sundance Yellow or Harvest Gold).^[6]

Chrysler CL Regal Le Baron sedan
Chrysler CL Regal Le Baron sedan
Chrysler CL Charger XL coupe (K16 Police Pursuit Special)
Chrysler CL Charger XL coupe (K16 Police Pursuit Special)
Chrysler CL Valiant utility with Sports Pack
Chrysler CL Valiant utility with Sports Pack
Chrysler CL Valiant panel van with Sports Pack
Chrysler CL Valiant panel van with Sports Pack
Chrysler CL Valiant utility with Drifter pack
Chrysler CL Valiant utility with Drifter pack
Chrysler CL Valiant panel van with Drifter pack
Chrysler CL Valiant panel van with Drifter pack
Chrysler CL Charger coupe with Drifter pack

Engines and transmissions

Three engines were offered:

245 cu in (4.0 L) I6^[2]
265 cu in (4.3 L) I6^[2]
318 cu in (5.2 L) V8^[2]

Four transmissions were offered:

3 speed manual^[2]
4 speed manual^[2]
3 speed Borg-Warner 35 automatic (6 cylinder models only)^[2]
3 speed TorqueFlite A904 automatic (V8 powered models only)^[2]

Production and replacement

32,672 CL models were built^[1] prior to the replacement of the CL by the Chrysler Valiant (CM) in 1978.

South Africa

In 1978 a model of the CL Regal was introduced in South Africa for local assembly. These cars came equipped with a locally-built four-barrel 225 slant-six producing 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp). In spite of the engine's impressive "Charger-Power" name, this only sufficed for a top speed of 140.5 km/h (87 mph) in a period road test.^[3] While the performance came in for some criticism, fuel economy and brakes received higher marks.^[3] The SE only came as a fully equipped model, with the interior and suspension having received some fettling in Detroit prior to Sigma finishing development in South Africa.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Chrysler Valiant CL, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 17 September 2014
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab Valiant CL Technical Specifications, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 17 September 2014
^ ^a ^b ^c Wright, Cedric, ed. (September 1978). "Chrysler SE Automatic, by Sigma". CAR (South Africa). Vol. 22, no. 8. Ramsay, Son & Parker (Pty) ltd. pp. 48–51.
^ Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1977, page 147
^ ^a ^b Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia, page 202
^ ^a ^b Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia, page 422
^ Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia, page 200
^ ^a ^b Sales brochure for Chrysler Drifter

[uniquecars-1] Chrysler Valiant CL, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 17 September 2014

[uniqecars_techspecs-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab Valiant CL Technical Specifications, www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au Retrieved on 17 September 2014

[CarZA1178-3] Wright, Cedric, ed. (September 1978). "Chrysler SE Automatic, by Sigma". CAR (South Africa). Vol. 22, no. 8. Ramsay, Son & Parker (Pty) ltd. pp. 48–51.

[Davis-4] Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1977, page 147

[Farmer_202-5] Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia, page 202

[Farmer_422-6] Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia, page 422

[Farmer_200-7] Gavin Farmer, Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia, page 200

[Chrysler_Drifter_brochure-8] Sales brochure for Chrysler Drifter

[2]

[3]

[1]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]