Manufacturer Chrysler Australia Layout FR layout | Production 1976 to 1978 | |
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Also called Chrysler SE (South Africa) Assembly Tonsley Park, Australia Body style 4-door sedan5-door station wagon2-door coupé2-door coupé utility2-door panel van | ||
The Chrysler Valiant (CL) is an automobile which was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1976 to 1978. The CL, which was the twelfth Australian Chrysler Valiant model, replaced the Chrysler Valiant (VK). It was also built in South Africa by Sigma, who marketed it there as the Chrysler SE.
Contents
Changes
The Chrysler CL models featured new grilles, a new nose cone and new bonnet, and, (on sedans), new rear panels including boot lid, lower panel and quarter panel. A panel van body style was added to the range in April 1977.
Model range
The Chrysler CL passenger car range comprised 4 door sedan, 5 door station wagon and 2-door coupe body styles in the following models:
The Chrysler CL commercial vehicle range comprised a 2-door coupe utility and a 2-door panel van.
Regal and Charger models were not designated as Valiants.
Limited edition models and option packs
Engines and transmissions
Three engines were offered:
Four transmissions were offered:
Production and replacement
32,672 CL models were built prior to the replacement of the CL by the Chrysler Valiant (CM) in 1978.
South Africa
In 1978 a model of the CL Regal was introduced in South Africa for local assembly. These cars came equipped with a locally-built four-barrel 225 slant-six producing 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp). In spite of the engine's impressive "Charger-Power" name, this only sufficed for a top speed of 140.5 km/h (87 mph) in a period road test. While the performance came in for some criticism, fuel economy and brakes received higher marks. The SE only came as a fully equipped model, with the interior and suspension having received some fettling in Detroit prior to Sigma finishing development in South Africa.