CHARGER S/R-SERIES AP5/AP6 VC VE VF VG VH CH VJ VK CL CM
THE VALIANT CHARGER
|
This is part of one of the original adds promoting the Valiant Charger across Australia and New Zealand, the R/T E49 probably being one of the most valued Charger models by all Charger fans but more on that later.... Australian motoring news said in one of their magazines, "The Charger is the most handsome car Chrysler has ever produced, and probably the best looking car ever produced by an Australian manufacturer".
Some of the Charger models were: XL, 770, E37(to become the E48), E38, E49, E55 these all came with a VH and some of them VJ series, in 1975 the Charger VK model was introduced but didn't last long as it only came in the XL and 770, there was also a significant drop in power and torque because of tougher emission laws, the same thing happened with the CL Charger in 1976 but this only came in the 770.
Body Types: VH, VJ, VK, CL
![]() Probly the most popular of the Charger Body types, The VH's main details were either single or double rectangular head lights, a grill with about 8 horizontal aluminum bars, the R/T VH models had the middle 4 bars painted a dark orange colour, all had front ¼ windows, plus the small interior and exterior differences, from 1971 - 73 (VJ took over in late 73). The versions of this before 1973 had white indicators while the 73 model had orange. The VJ:
![]() The VJ had single circular head lights (you might see pictures of VJ's with double round head lights, these are modified versions of VJ, a mod pack could be bought from Chrysler Australia to add the extra light), it had 7 Vertical bars on the grill sometimes with a red center ornament, also with front ¼ windows, and with the small interior and exterior differences, the front was a lot flatter than the VH models as you can see in the images. These were made from 1973 - 78. The VK:
![]() The vertical bars of the VK's grill were the same as the VJ, but were whitened or painted the same colour as the body and bigger chrome plating was put around the indicators, the VK was started in 1975 and was produced until 78. The CL:
![]() The CL had double circular headlights with a 'honeycomb' grill with 1 vertical bar through the center. From 1976 to 78.
Charger Types: XL, 770, R/T - E38 E49 E55
Charger XL
The XL was the cheaper of the Charger range, they came with one of a 215 HEMI, 245 HEMI, 265 HEMI (standard) or a 318 CUI V8, these were all optional engine sizes for the XL, they came in ether VJ, VH and VK body types. They usually had less chrome on the body and a lower grade engine, the VH model XL had only single rectangular headlights while other models had double.
VJ Charger XL
VK Charger XL
Charger 770
Said to be the luxury version of the charger with either... 215 HEMI 245 HEMI, 265 HEMI (standard or E49 version) the E49 version had triple webers, 318 V8 (the cheaper of the HEMI range 215, 245 were rare on the 770 becuase the XL was better suited to the people wanting something in a lower price range), This was considered the luxury version of the charger especially in the VJ (came in VH, VJ, VK and CL) body type, it had a lot of extra chrome on the body and in the interior on the dash, it had a lot of optional extras for the car even including a small black and white TV! That could be put in the middle of the car where you would normally put a radio, also things such as power steering, window tints, racing stripes (same as R/T stripes), CNG (in NZ but not sure about Australia), light roll bars, different engine sizes, HEMI SIX pack (triple webers), Mag wheels, and the list goes on. On the rear of the 770 unlike the R/T's which had the black or dark grey stripe above the brake/indicator lights the 770 had the stripe at the same level as the lights, with a black or chrome stripe around the edge where the R/T stripe would usually be.
1973 Charger 770 with a 265 HEMI
R/T - E38 E49 E55 Charger
These R/T (excluding the E55) models all came in VH body types, but were wiped out when the VJ took over the VH at the end of 1973 the E49 came out in June 1972 and E55 in October 1972. The R/T straight 6 engines (E37(E48), E38 and E49) had shot peened con rods, valve springs and surge dampners fitted. While the E55 had a big 340 or later on a 360 V8. The 6 cylinder engines were all readily available with any charger R/T or standard, the 340 and 360 were only available with the E55.
The E38
A E38's Engine bay with mighty 265 HEMI SIX
This was considered to be the ultimate charger because it had the highest performance specs of all the charger range, they came stock with 265 HEMI SIX pack (3 double throated weber carbs). They came in VH only.
An E49 R/T SIX pack
34 - Vitamin C 32 - Hemi Orange 29 - Mercury Silver 27 - Hot Mustard 12 - Vintage Red 7 - Limelight 3 - Blondi Bleach 3 - Sunfire Yellow 1 - Ebony Black 1 - Arctic White
The E55
This is a 1972 VH E55
|
Questions, comments or suggestions e-mail
Chris or Mat