Valiant Spotters Guide

The VE Valiant was an all-new design introduced in October 1967. The bonnet and guards were shared with the also-new 1967 U.S. Dodge Dart, and styling cues were taken from other updated U.S. models. The VE was built on the U.S. Valiant's 108 in (2,700 mm) wheelbase. The body was slightly larger and there was more interior space than its VC-model predecessor. The roofline was also flattened out and the rear window was given a concave profile.

Higher levels of standard equipment were included, and there were some power upgrades. The basic Slant Six was retained with its 145 bhp (108.1 kW) rating, but a new 2-barrel carbureted version was released with output of 160 bhp (119.3 kW). The 273 V8 was also improved and made available across the entire Valiant range.

Other upgrades included the introduction of a 64-litre (14 imp gal; 17 US gal) fuel tank, shorter gear lever throw on the manual gearbox, relocation of the dipswitch from under the brake pedal to the high left of the firewall, and the windscreen wiper motor was relocated to the engine side of the firewall — greatly reducing wiper noise. All models benefited from additional safety features such as dual circuit brakes with a tandem master cylinder, double sided safety rims, front seat belts and front power disc brakes on V8 models.

The VE range consisted of Valiant & Valiant Regal sedans, Valiant Safari & Valiant Regal Safari station wagons and Valiant, Valiant Wayfarer & Dodge utilities, the latter being a lower-priced version of the Valiant utility. New for the VE model was the high-specification Valiant V.I.P. in both sedan and Safari wagon versions. It used the same body as the lesser Valiants, but featured a more luxurious interior, 273 V8 engine, and also shared the 3 'sergeant stripes' of the VC V8 on the rear quarter panel.

The biggest accolade for the VE Valiant was Wheels "Car Of The Year" in 1967 — the first for Chrysler Australia.

68,688 VE Valiants were built.