Chrysler Valiant (CM)


The Chrysler Valiant is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1978 to 1980 and subsequently by Mitsubishi Australia from 1980 to 1981. It was a facelifted and revised version of the Chrysler CL Valiant, which it replaced. It was the last Australian Chrysler Valiant.

Model range

The CM Valiant was offered in 4 door sedan and 5 door station wagon body styles in the following models:
  • Chrysler Valiant sedan
  • Chrysler Valiant wagon
  • Chrysler Regal sedan
  • Chrysler Regal wagon
  • Chrysler Regal SE sedan
Regal models were marketed as Chrysler Regals, without the Valiant name.
A GLX pack, option code A16, was offered on the CM Valiant sedan. It featured the 265 cubic inch engine, the four speed manual transmission, or 3 speed auto or the 318 v8 engine with an auto, “Hot Wire” cast alloy wheels, a tachometer, front grille paint treatment, tinted side glass, roof console with map light, rear seat armrest, floor console, body stripes and other embellishments.

Changes

The CM models featured a new grille, revised tail lights plus new mouldings and badges. All body panels were carried over from the previous model. The six cylinder engines were now fitted with Chrysler’s “Electronic Lean Burn System” which resulted in easier starting, better responsiveness, smoother running and improved fuel economy.
Utility, Panel Van and Charger coupe models were not carried over from the CL Valiant range.

Engines and transmissions

Three engines were offered:
The V8 engine option was discontinued around August–September 1980.
Five transmissions were offered:
  • 3 speed manual
  • 4 speed manual
  • 3 speed Torquflite automatic
  • 3 speed TorqueFlite A904 automatic
  • 3 speed Borg-Warner automatic

Production and replacement

The CM Valiant was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1978 until the takeover of that company by Mitsubishi in 1980. Mitsubishi Australia continued production through to 28 August 1981. Although Mitsubishi did not want to continue the model it needed to produce cars to meet Australian local content requirements. 97% of the car was made in Australia and the tooling was well and truly paid for, so it was profitable for the company to produce even a small number of Valiants. Rather than badge it as a "Mitsubishi" the Valiant continued to be badged as "Chrysler."
By 1980, Japanese cars were the most popular cars in Australia and the Valiant had become dated. Ford Australia and Holden were building new cars based on European designs with modern styling and features that were absent from the 9-year-old Valiant platform. Chrysler's popularity in Australia had dropped from being one of the "Big Three" in the 1960s to 20th place by the end of the 1970s. The price of a CM Valiant was less than some small Japanese cars.
A total of 16,500 examples of the Chrysler CM were built with no immediate replacement model introduced. Eventually, the Mitsubishi Magna was developed to replace both the Valiant and smaller Sigma, and production started in 1985.
In the 21st Century, CM Valiants have become quite collectible given their final improvements and reliability of the then-praised Electronic Lean-Burn (ELB) system. Excellent examples can reach over AU$20,000.