Video: Celebrating The Valiant Charger HEMI-6’s 40th Anniversary

In the midst of muscle car mania here in the United States, a muscle car of a different breed was proving to be an instant success half way across the world. Released by Chrysler Australia in 1971, the Valiant Charger made its way onto New Zealand circuit tracks and almost instantly saw rising success. As 2011 nears its end, the Valiant Charger is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its debut.

To commemorate the occasion, reporter and journalist for Metro News, Dominic McGurk, took a trip to South Canterbury where New Zealanders, Valiant owners and racing greats alike were celebrating the anniversary of their beloved racecars. The first episode of “Widened Steels” resulted, capturing the essence of the Valiant Chargers and some of their legendary drivers.

The Valiant Charger was equipped with a straight-six 265ci HEMI Six-Pack engine, something that Americans scoffed at. In the time of big-block 426 HEMI engines, using an abandoned truck engine to power the Valiant-based Chargers seemed silly.

Despite what Americans thought, however, the Valiant Chargers could match their American counterparts down the drag strip at the hands of the powerful 265 HEMI. Even more impressive was the cornering abilities of the Valiants that, thanks to their lightweight bodies and short wheelbase, could blow any American V8 out of the water.

Sold by Todd Motors, the Chrysler distributor in New Zealand, the Valiant Charger was an instant success, not only is sales, but on the track as well. From 1971 to 1979, Valiant racecars ran virtually undefeated at the Benson and Hedges 500 mile race at Pukekohe Park Raceway. From this and other New Zealand circuit races, racing greats like Jim Little and Leo Leonard came to be famous. McGurk catches up with both racing legends in the video and even gets a barn tour of sorts by Little.

Sticking with Valiant Chargers throughout his racing career, Little is know as the most successful New Zealand racer. Pointing to Little’s racing success are his slue of titles achieved at the wheel of his Chargers, include several Champion titles from the South Ireland Production Saloons, Endurance titles and Champion titles from pre-1965 races.

Little’s racing success was kicked off with his #7 Charger, bought in 1972 from fellow team mate and racing legend Leo Leonard, also known as Mr. Charger. The car was one of the first high-performance E38 versions to make it into New Zealand and proved to be a successful racing machine. The car now belongs to Charger enthusiast, Ross Bertenshaw while Little still holds on to some of the car’s body panels from its racing career.

Graduating from the E38 car to his next Valiant, an E49, Little’s racing career was launched into high gear. Once known as “The Fastest Charger In The World,” Little’s #211 Valiant Charger held production lap records at every major circuit in New Zealand.

Upset by Little’s success in the Charger, Ford sent out drivers Allan Moffatt and Jim Richards in a V8 Falcon to beat Little out of the 1972-1973 Castrol GDX Series win. Little and his Charger proved to be superior to the Ford racers. Undergoing a complete nut and bolt restoration now, the car is being restored to the exact specifications of its racing years by its current owner, Stan Dorsey.

Another one of Little’s Chargers made famous by his impressive success, was made even more famous by taking five South Ireland Production Saloon wins in a row from 1980 through 1984. The #8 car now sits in Little’s barn, set up on jack stands and covered in dust – a shameful way to rest with such a legendary history.

While a bit past taking New Zealand by storm, there are still many Valiant Chargers alive and well in the country, preserved by Charger enthusiasts. Leonard credits smart people that put the cars away and kept them for years for making their current existence possible.

We are thankful to these enthusiasts that saw the Valiant Chargers as worthy of saving. While they may be half way around the world, they are still a historic piece of Mopar history and remain dear to the hearts of race fans all over the world.

About the author

Lindsey Fisher

Lindsey is a freelance writer and lover of anything with a rumble. Hot rods, muscle cars, motorcycles - she's owned and driven it all. When she's not busy writing about them, she's out in her garage wrenching away. Who doesn't love a tech-savy gal that knows her way around a garage?
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