This stunning old-school coupe is the polar opposite of a high-tech EV – and we just love it

reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop
reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop
reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop
reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop
reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop
reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop
reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop
reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop
reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop

Technological evolution is turning modern cars into self-driving EV robo-taxis, but for all the automotive innovation taking place, the classic car flame still burns hot and bright.

Interest in Aussie muscle cars remains as strong as ever despite the end of local manufacturing and the exit of Holden altogether last year – as evidenced by soaring used car prices – so we thought it would be a great time to check out some of our readers’ rides, starting with Rob Spiller’s immaculate 1970 Valiant 770 Regal.

Fitted with a thumping 7.2-litre Chrysler RB-series V8 nestled within its pristine engine bay, the two-door coupe generates an earth-shaking 1000Nm of torque.

reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop

With its custom paintwork and interior, there’s more than just visual and locomotive appeal to Rob’s Valiant. Indeed, the car is as much a part of his identity as the whiskers on his chin.

The machinery relocation specialist bought the Valiant Regal in 1985.

“I never was a fan of the Charger but loved the long, flat shape of the hardtop,” he says.

“So when a friend of mine told me he’d seen one on the side of the road with a ‘for sale’ sign, I had to check it out.”

reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop

It had bucket seats, a floor shifter, a lumpy V8 engine with twin exhaust pipes, and mag wheels. The price? Just $800, in roadworthy condition.

“Nineteen-year-old me? Sold! That was 1985 and just the beginning,” he recalls.

The VG-series Chrysler Valiant Regal first launched in Australia in 1970 in sedan, wagon, two-door ute and coupe body styles.

Its new 4.0-litre (245ci) Hemi six-cylinder engine was touted as a game-changer for the brand and the most advanced six available in Australia, with almost V8 levels of shunt at 211hp (157kW).

reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop

The Valiant took pride of place in Aussie Chrysler showrooms between 1962 and 1981, and was pitched as a large, powerful and luxurious car.

Today, Rob’s Valiant is the vehicular equivalent of a punk rocker attending an austere wedding as it navigates an asphalt ocean of beige Toyota RAV4s and white Ford Rangers.

Indeed, the coupe’s incendiary paint job is matched by an equally fiery 440-cubic-inch (7.2-litre) Dodge-Chrysler V8 that is significantly more powerful than the heavily promoted 245ci Hemi six-cylinder engine.

reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop

Pumping out around 200kW at the rear wheels, or roughly 280hp, Rob’s big Valiant coupe hooks up to a 727 TorqueFlite auto with HD clutches and pumps through a nine-inch Ford rear diff (what else?) with Eaton Truetrac billet axles and 3.25 gearing.

While modern car enthusiasts will argue technology has moved the game on for performance cars, and the circa-$50,000 Honda Civic
Type R hot hatch’s 228kW (306hp) four-cylinder turbo engine cranks out more power, what the Valiant lacks in engine revs and power, it makes up for in torque.

With just over 1000Nm on tap in the Regal, the Type R’s 400Nm pales into insignificance, although the Valiant is a thirsty beast, sucking down fuel at a rate of 30L/100km.

“Luckily it’s on LPG,” says Rob.

reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop

But it’s not just classic muscle cars that he’s interested in. Rob has a British-built Sunbeam Alpine, a compact two-seater sports car with a small four-cylinder engine, also parked in the garage.

And his daily drive? A Volkswagen Tiguan.

“But I prefer diving the Valiant to the Tiguan. I feel like I’m going to fall asleep driving cars that prefer to drive themselves,” he grins.

One of his favourite elements of the Valiant is the silver roadrunner emblem on the bonnet, a throwback to the US-market Plymouth Road Runner.

reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop

And what are the best and worst things about owning a classic car?

“Being able to find it in a crowded car park; and having to keep to it clean,” laughs Rob.

“Most people love it when they see it, but there are purists who don’t like what I’ve done.”

The silver and cherry red beast is not just a Sunday drive either, the schmick-looking Valiant having competed in several events including on the sprint track.

“It’s been entered in ‘Chryslers on the Murray’ annually, used to enter Springnats in Shepparton and other Chrysler shows,” he explains.

reader’s ride: 1970 chrysler valiant 770 regal hardtop

“I’ve competed in motorkhanas with the Ford Four Car Club and Eastside Cruisers Car Club, and the sprint track at Chryslers on the Murray.”

Rob says he drives his eye-catching V8 Valiant coupe whenever he has time and tends to just cruise around quietly.

As technological progression pushes the modern-day automobile in new directions, most of which have no place for a 7.2-litre V8 engine, there’s little doubt that classic muscle like this will always have a place in the hearts and minds of Aussies.

If you’ve got an interesting car, classic or modern, in your garage and want to be part of the ‘Reader’s ride’ segment, send details and a photo of your car to [email protected].

Images: Clarence Tang, Tangcla Photography www.facebook.com/tangcla.photography

Keyword: Reader’s ride: 1970 Chrysler Valiant 770 Regal Hardtop

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