Now here’s a rare creature, a 1962 Plymouth Valiant Signet 200 that has been restored to mostly stock condition. More often you see these lightweight coupes turned into street rods, but this one has been kept pretty much original.
The Pick of the Day is the smallest Chrysler product of that era, the automaker’s first compact car, designed to compete with Chevrolet Corvair, Ford Falcon and the onslaught of popular little cars coming over from Europe.
Equipped with the famously durable 225 cid Slant Six engine, which is canted to the right to allow a lowered hood line, and a three-speed manual column shifter, the Valiant comes across as a time capsule from a simpler automotive time. This is a car that a suburban dad or mom might have driven, although usually in the four-door sedan or wagon versions.
This two-door Valiant came in the highest trim level offered for 1962, and judging by the gallery of photos on its ClassicCars.com listing, it looks to be in remarkable condition. The car is highlighted by its very sporty red interior with black inserts on the seats and door panels.
According to the Lenexa, Kansas, classic car dealer that’s marketing the car, the Valiant has been enhanced with some period performance mods applied to the restoration.
“Fully restored in its original Silhouette Black with a sporty red-and-black interior, it features a 390 CFM Edelbrock carburetor, Clifford intake manifold and headers, and a rare Offenhauser valve cover and factory heater delete,” the dealer says in the ad. “Aftermarket upgrades include front disc brakes and electronic ignition.”
The Valiant, introduced in 1960, was lavishly styled by Chrysler’s famed chief designer Virgil Exner in his Forward Look mode. The look featured a bold shield grille, protruding fender edges, slanted tailfins and a simulated spare-tire bulge in the trunk, all of them styling cues that referenced Chrysler concept cars and such larger production models as the Imperial.
The Valiant also represents a relatively inexpensive way to get into the classic car hobby, with an asking price of just $12,900. The dealer says that the car has won several awards at shows, and it could be an unusual and attention-grabbing ride for showing up at the local cruise-in.
Whatever your goal, it seems like a lot of fun little car for not too much money.
Who woulda thunk it back then? If it wasn’t a convert. or 2 door H T nobody cared.
This was grandma’s grocery getter. Thank God some body did care.
Ron
Most of these cars were turned into street rods? Are you nuts? This is by far one of the ugliest cars ever made. What is Bob Golfen’s favorite Hot Rod?
JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ
It may have been considered ugly by some but now it’s unique and a rare look with a neat interior and a work horse dependable engine that was around on mopars for many years and it’s a 2 door!
The imitation spare tire did not occur on the 1962 valiant signet. The trunk is from a 1960 or 1961.
This Valiant was the R model in Australia which had a floor change.It had the spare tyre imitation.The S model had no boot imitation.We loved these cars down under
Very nice little car.
Robert Hamlin.
The trunk lid didn’t have fake spare tire on the 62 year model only on 60&61 and they looked good with it. The 62 doesn’t it hurts the value of the car with the wrong trunk lid.they are good cars I’ve owned every year model from 1960 to 1970.
The comments on the trunk and year are correct. You won’t the “toilet seat” after 62 on the Valiant. Although it can not be traced with certainty, the VIN checks as an early 62 production so it may be possible it was built with a leftover trunk from the 61 model run. Or, the previous restoration put it on for the style. Either way, I prefer to think of it as Exner styling on a car everyone could afford.