The Chrysler CM Valiant is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Chrysler Australia from 1978 to 1980 and subsequently by Mitsubishi Australia from 1980 to 1981. It was a facelifted and revised version of the Chrysler CL Valiant, which it replaced. It was the last Australian Chrysler Valiant.

Chrysler CM Valiant
Chrysler CM Valiant Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler Australia .[1] Mitsubishi Australia[1]
Production	November 1978 – August 1981[1]
Assembly	Tonsley Park, Australia[1]
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan[2] 5-door station wagon[2]
Layout	FR layout[2]
Powertrain
Engine	245 cu in (4.0 L) I6[3] 265 cu in (4.3 L) I6[3] 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8[3]
Transmission	3 speed manual[3] 4 speed manual[3] 3 speed automatic[3]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	111 inches (2819 mm)[3]
Length	197.5 inches (5016 mm) (Sedan)[3]
Width	74.6 inches (1895 mm)[3]
Height	55.4 inches (1407 mm) (Sedan)[3]
Curb weight	3368 lb (1528 kg) (Sedan)[3]
Chronology
Predecessor	Chrysler CL Valiant[1]
Successor	Chrysler 300

Model range

The CM Valiant was offered in 4 door sedan and 5 door station wagon body styles in the following models:

• Chrysler Valiant sedan[4]
• Chrysler Valiant wagon[4]
• Chrysler Regal sedan[4]
• Chrysler Regal wagon[4]
• Chrysler Regal SE sedan[5]

Regal models were marketed as Chrysler Regals, without the Valiant name.[4]

A GLX pack, option code A16,[6] was offered on the CM Valiant sedan.[7] It featured the 265 cubic inch (4.3 litre) engine, the four speed manual transmission, or 3 speed auto or the 318 v8 engine with an auto, “Hot Wire” cast alloy wheels, a tachometer, front grille paint treatment, tinted side glass, roof console with map light, rear seat armrest, floor console, body stripes and other embellishments.[1]

• 
  Chrysler CM Valiant sedan
• 
  Chrysler CM Valiant Sedan
• 
  Chrysler CM Valiant Sedan with GLX pack
• 
  Chrysler CM Regal Sedan
• 
  Chrysler Valiant CM Regal sedan
• 
  Chrysler CM Valiant wagon
• 
  Chrysler CM Valiant wagon
• 
  Chrysler CM Regal Wagon
• 
  Last Australian Valiant built, August 28, 1981 was this Chrysler CM Valiant, a white 4.0 litre automatic sedan seen here on display prior to auction in 2003
• 
  "Last Barstard" (sic) written in the body sealer under the boot floor carpet on the last Australian Valiant built by an assembly line worker

Changes

The CM models featured a new grille, revised tail lights plus new mouldings and badges.[1] All body panels were carried over from the previous model.[8] The six cylinder engines were now fitted with Chrysler’s “Electronic Lean Burn System” which resulted in easier starting, better responsiveness, smoother running and improved fuel economy.[1]

Utility, Panel Van and Charger coupe models were not carried over from the CL Valiant range.[1]

Engines and transmissions

Three engines were offered:

• 245 cu in (4.0 L) I6[3]
• 265 cu in (4.3 L) I6[3]
• 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8[3]

The 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 engine option was discontinued around August–September 1980.[9]

Five transmissions were offered:

• 3 speed manual[3]
• 4 speed manual[3]
• 3 speed Torquflite automatic[3]
• 3 speed TorqueFlite A904 automatic[3]
• 3 speed Borg-Warner automatic

Production and replacement

The CM Valiant was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1978 until the takeover of that company by Mitsubishi in 1980.[1] Mitsubishi Australia continued production through to 28 August 1981.[1]

A total of 16,500 examples of the Chrysler CM were built with no replacement model introduced.[1]

See also

• Chrysler Valiant

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chrysler Valiant (CM).