1972 Chrysler Valiant Ranger XL from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Since I've owned the car, which is not long, nothing has gone wrong with it.

But one time it wouldn't start, not to sure on the reason it done this, but I've been told that the gear box overheats which dis allows it to start so no damage is done.

My ranger has a 265 engine, standard ranger has a 245, therefore is a lot more powerful.

This car has plenty of power, like all American muscle cars, i'll only ever drive it in wet grass once, I was barly even touching the accelerator and the car was wheel spinning all over the grass, lucky not to get stuck.

I find the car very reliable, nothing seems to go wrong with the engine if you treat it well.

It handles very well once moving, its very hard to turn the wheels if you're not moving for it don't have power steering, the air shocks (gas on the front) and leaf springs work together very well making a smooth comfortable ride, its as smooth as a new car if you keep it to the speed limit.

However, the body's tend to rust quick, mine hasn't tho, mine is in very good condition for it was repainted with a thick coat long before I got it, the paint job is practically buggered now, chips easily, looks like the panels has ripples in it, but they are as straight as ever, I plan to get it repainted as soon as I get the money.

And its alrite on gas when your driving around town, but once your cruising at 100 km's it starts to eat the petrol, but what do you expect for a 4.3 litre Hemi engine?

I find this car great, I have a 2nd car I use to go to work in, and only use my valiant in the weekend, so its rather cheap to run in that case.

First of all, Valiants are not American, they were made in Australia and New Zealand. They were designed from a Dodge Dart And Charger. They I also owned a Ranger with a 265 but they no were near compare to a Dart or a Charger. They are pretty good cars if you look after them, but still need a lot of work to keep them going. they go through piston rings like nothing, eats (burns) oil like petrol. So they cost a fear bit to keep running.

Yea I know they were made in aussie and NZL, they were off an american design, therefore they are more american than nething else if you ask me, even if they aint american.

Your comments on fuel efficiency intrigue me. As a general rule of thumb a cars economy will increase on the open road as opposed to around town running?

I had a 1979 c. m regal 265 auto, I had similar starting problem usually after stopping for petrol, sometimes it would take 15 minutes to 30 minutes to restart after cooling down. I finally got sick of this inconvenience and saw an auto electrician, he put a relay in which put more power through the starter,apparently auto transmissions drain your battery power, anyway that fixed the problem no more wondering if i, d start after getting fuel $30 was all it cost.

I had a VE V8 283 I think it was, baby V8 anyway. I used to cruise up the coast of NSW from Sydney and my fuel consumption went bezerk over 100. I rebuilt the carbie and changed leads, plugs, regraphed the dizzie, but the only thing it chewed more was oil and it absorbed more water through worn screen seals than it repelled. I'm gonna buy a VH soon and yes they are beautiful bricks on wheels.