Better Than New - Random # 342 - 1970 VG Valiant Pacer Hardtop (Up-dated * & **)

There's "factory" and then there's, well ... THIS, a car seemingly so perfectly restored that it's all but impossible to believe that it's not actually better than new.  And even if it had rolled off the regular Chrysler Australia production line as-is, it would have to have been a sweetheart deal for one of the workers with all his mates on the line chipping in to make sure that it was just right.  Oh, and nobody's dared to put the slightest blemish on it in the intervening 55 years since it was built!

The paint, panels and chrome are immaculate, as is the interior.  All the badges and decals are present and correct, and in first rate order.  It's also wearing a pristine set of original hubcaps and the tyres appear to be era-appropriate, too. 

*Since first writing this piece, I've been privileged to receive the engine shot below, because, as the justifiably proud owner says, he "... was not there to open [the bonnet] ... at the time of the photo shoot."  Thank you so much, Emanuel; your photo really completes this piece!   

According to its decals and badges, this Pacer’s running the biggest of the three "Hemi" sixes available in the VG - the 245 cu (4.0 litre) - coupled to a two-barrel carbie, putting its power down via a three speed floor-shift.  Braking is courtesy of discs up forward and drums on the rear, while I think I'm right in saying that the front suspension was a torsion bar set-up (please correct me if I'm wrong!  Google hasn't helped) with leaves at the back.

I'm credibly informed that Pacer hardtops came in five vibrant, wittily named colours:  "Thar She Blue", "Bondi Bleach White", "Hot Mustard", “Little Hood Riding Red" and "Hemi Orange".  This example’s one of only five known to still exist in blue and is quite likely the only one of them with a tan interior, as all the others are upholstered in black.  Here's a link to an equally-as-gorgeous Hot Mustard example if you'd like to take a squizz: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2023/01/random-329-vg-valiant-pacer-hardtop.html. 

The rare tan interior (image also courtesy of the owner).

** And here are a couple of bonus shots from Emanuel showing today’s example, plus two further Pacer hardtops in mustard and red, taking part in the “Mopar Maidens” themed 2024 Adelaide Chrysler Festival in South Australia.  It’s a rare treat to see three hardtops together, especially in different colours and even more so when they’re parked outside the Old Chrysler Factory!

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(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

iPhone images.