1968 Valiant 100 project

Moparlady

Moparlady

Well-known member
Hey all, just wanted to brag a little about my '68 Valiant project. Have owned the car since 1999, it was orig. a 170 slant 6, 3-on-the-tree, with NO options........rubber floor, radio delete, and not even any armrests in the back seat. Had 51,000 miles when we bought it, a locally Canadian car (bought in Chippawa, a burb of Niagara Falls). Well, last year the poor little 170 died, and then, after the demise of our '67 Valiant Signet in the aforementioned head-on Harley accident last August, hubby decided to take the original 225-6 from that car, and build it for my '68. We hoped to have it ready for Carlisle (the car was actually entered), but that didn't work out, so now the next show will be Moparfest, also already entered. Should be ready for that with a week or so to spare to get some miles on her. I sure hope so, 'cuz I will be driving her to New Hamburg, while hubby drives the motorhome. He has also installed a 4 spd overdrive tranny, using the original column shifter (don't want to cut a hole in the floor) for the 4 forward spds, with reverse being a pull-out Hurst T-handle under the dash. He's pretty ingenious for fabricating stuff and the system seems to work pretty well. Will know better once we have some seat time in her.
Anyway, here are some pics of the car, and the engine, pre-installation. Installation should be happening within the next few days.
 

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Nice!

I'll look for ya at MOPARFest. I want to see this reverse handle - sounds cool!
 
Okay, cool. I first noticed when you posted the wagon 4 sale that you saw at the Welland cruise. When I looked at the pic I said "Hey, I recognize that apt. building", and then noticed it said Seaway cruise. Yep, very familiar with that cruise.
So, we're neighbours.........sort of.
 
Interesting you should say that, 'cuz when we first went to see the car, I HATED the fact that it was white! But, as time went on, it really grew on me. It's not the original colour, the previous owners had the car repainted. Unfortunately, we don't have the fender tag (the car has glass fenders), but according to the build sheet, the original colour was Sable White, which is a beigy-white compared to what is on the car now. It's Maytag white, for sure! We were able to pick up two very nice steel fenders off a '68 Valiant down at Carlisle a couple years back, and plan to install them when we repaint the car........soon, I hope, it's getting so it needs it. We like the bright white, and will keep it that colour. It has Bermuda Blue interior.
 
Sweet car. I love that body style, sleeper is written all over it. :)

Way back in '80, I had a four door 71 Valiant that was also an ultra cheap model, but it was butt-ugly light green. The 72 340 we transplanted between the fenders made it a screamer that fooled a lot of folks.

Sleeper.... mmmmmmmm
 
Digging the slant. Where'd ya get the Dual Headers? and what other goodies are in/on it?

Pretty much what I'm looking to build, just gotta find a rust free, decent body and such.
 
1968 Valiant Project - Update....

Well, it runs! And seems to run good. Mike is slaving away out in the shop right now, building the exhaust, which is the last step. We got a set of (knock-off) Flowies at Carlisle, so it should have that great sound, even if it is a six. Actually, we both agree that it DOES almost have a V8 sound to it.
If things keep going well, it may be ready for the road tonight, but we will wait till tomorrow to take 'er out. Tonight is the 1 yr. anniversary of our accident in the '67 Valiant, and, call us superstitious, but we ain't going anywhere tonight, ESPECIALLY in the '68! We will take her out to "cruise the Lane" (Lundy's Lane in Niagara Falls) tomorrow night.
Here are the updated pics:
 

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Not that I'm suggesting you tempt fate, but shouldn't you at least go around the block to break the curse?
 
LOL.......well, as it happens, I have been told that we ARE going out on a short cruise, just not in that same general direction. He's bolting up the last pipe now....
:-)
 
Thanks, glad you noticed the eyelids.........we put those on 4-5 yrs ago, cuz I liked 'em on other cars, and I do think they look good on it. Problem is, they rust up real quick if ya don't stay on top of them. I polished them up today, and got most of the rust off. Also WAXED the whole car, which hasn't been done in quite some time, and she's really shinin' now, baby! Took our first "shakedown" run into Dunnville tonight, and, aside from an underfueling problem, and that good ol' "gimme more octane" rattle, we don't have any real bugs to speak of. Guess we're gonna have to try mixing regular with Ultra 94 and see how that works. Not looking forward to that with prices what they are, but I guess that's the price of cruising. Not like we drive the car every day.
Look out New Hamburg, here we come!
 
Yep, we were. That was you in that big ol' boat? I recognize it in the flashing pics in your post. COOL!
The Valiant continues to gather lots of interest. The young couple with the '66 (American) Valiant Signet conv. were quite interested in it.........well, the fella was anyway, not so much his lady.
We will likely be there this Friday, too........that is, IF it isn't raining. Doesn't sound promising so far.......:(
 
Oh yeah. Forgot about the rain coming.. I was planning on being there too...

I might try for Mapleview in Burlington on Wednesday.

It's funny because I was supposed to be watching for that Hurst handle under the dash at MOPARfest and I was just reading the OD trans thread where you mentioned it and that's when it clicked.

My propeller must be slowing down :dcf:
 
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