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1965 Plymouth

Valiant Convertible

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Stock
3319
Engine Size
273 V8
Transmission Type
3 Speed Automatic
Vin
V355128308
Miles
32,422
Drivetrain
RWD

1965 Plymouth Valiant Convertible

1965 Plymouth Valiant Convertible

In May 1957, Chrysler president Lester Lum "Tex" Colbert established a committee to develop a competitor in the burgeoning compact car market which included the popular VW Beetle, the new American Motors Rambler and upcoming entries from GM, Ford and Studebaker. Virgil Exner designed a car that was smaller and lighter than a full-size car without sacrificing passenger and luggage space. Originally named the Falcon after Exner's 1955 Chrysler Falcon concept car, the vehicle was renamed the 'Valiant' honoring Henry Ford II's request to use the original name for the Ford Falcon.

This classic has been sitting in a garage in NY for the past year. It is from a son who is now parting with his departed father's car. He states it has not had any work done to it in the past year and needs some cleanup and basic care.

Exterior
A side view of this car and it will tell you that Virgil Exner certainly had “different” in mind when he penned this design. This example retains its grille surround in chrome along with the round headlight bezels and chromed bumper below sandwiches the fashionable grille all in shiny chrome. From the front quarters through the doors and on to the rear quarters is a belt line trim spear looking good. This trimming is within a field of white paint that maintains its shine and covers steel that has sustained some hazards of hitting things with rusted dents, crumples and rust bubbling surfaces, mainly on the bottom end on the fender wrap arounds and rockers. The white convertible top is showing as fair with some dirt and staining, and dry rotted thread making the seams come apart. No rear plastic is seen on this top. Mirrors and bumpers have some pitting beginning on the chrome. On the back at the end of a long trimming on top of the rear quarter is a vertical tail lamp with a circular ring below housing the backup lighting. This floats above a rear bumper that is in good condition. Standard wheel coverings are wrapped in thin whitewalls all around, save for the driver's rear which is missing the wheel cover.

Interior
Retaining most of its original charm and using red painted steel and gray carpeting and striped broadcloth, the door panels have the red on top, a mid section of striped tweed with hints of red peppering it, and gray fuzzy broadcloth on the bottoms. Shiny cranks and handles are here as well as a like new armrest, all looking like newly done. Inside we see a like-new split back bench covered in gray broadcloth for the inserts and smooth black vinyl for the bolsters. A leatherette covered steering wheel fronts what appears to be a mostly original dash painted in red. A simplistic design for the dash front with dual circular gauges in front of the steering wheel and a horizontal chrome strip which houses knobs, temp sliders and the glove box knob. An original Plymouth AM radio is below this strip and still works! Black carpeting is flooding the floors and the underside of the canvas convertible has some staining and is aged.

Drivetrain
Flipping the hood we now see a fully restored 273ci V8 which is original to the car. It is topped with a sporty Offenhauser intake manifold and is topped with a 4-barrel carburetor. An A904 3-speed automatic is on back as is a 7-1/4 inch rear pumpkin. This engine presents nicely with its red valve coverings, chromed air cleaner housing, and supple like new hoses and wires. The engine bay surrounding is unrestored, but the battery and radiator appear like new.

Undercarriage
Underneath save for just a bit of surface rust on suspension parts and some light surface rust on the body hangers, it is a rust-free environment. The ride is provided by independent torsion bar suspension in front and for the back leaf springs. Drum braking is all around, and a stock exhaust is on and looking good in condition.

Drive-Ability
This car fired right up and as I slipped into the like new interior and took off for the test track. Here it performed nicely with good smooth acceleration, easy shifting, and a comfy ride. All functions were working as they should.

Exner design, and the precursor to the Barracuda we all know and love as a muscle car, some minor faults in the dent and ding department, and a convertible top that needs some TLC we have a partially restored, (interior and engine), car that with just a bit of TLC will be back to snuff. Then you will have a Valiant classic.

VIN DECODE
V355128308
V-Valiant/Barracuda
3-Valiant 200
5-1965
5-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
128308-Sequential Unit Number

FENDER TAG
1:1-Left Manual Outside Mirror
3:9-Variable Wipers W/Washer
6:2-White Top
AB:30-273ci V8
D:5-Automatic
E:5-Heater W/Defroster
N:0-Power Top
Q:1-AM Music Master Radio
B24-November 24th Build
TRM H4R-Red Vinyl
PNT WW1-P-White

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.