Amid Victoria?s fourth bout of Covid lockdown regulations our June Monthly Dinner Meeting went ahead restricted only by a limit on overall numbers and fewer people seated at each table. Because the venue is so large, the limitations didn?t affect our attendance and we all enjoyed a lovely two-course meal and a catchup with friends.
General Business was dispensed with between the soup and main courses by President Ian with his usual efficiency, leaving the display car presentation until after the meal.
The display car was David Anderson?s recently restored 1971 VH RT 2-Barrel Valiant Charger, one of three Chargers that he and Glenn Campbell have been building over the last 12 months or so. This Vitamin C coloured Charger was found in Ballarat, where it had been sitting in a shed for 25 years. It was pretty sad though and needed new chassis rails, guards and sections of the floor replaced. It had also been fitted with a V8 engine in place of the original 265 ci six-cylinder. David informed us that 393 of this model were produced and that this is one of only three in this colour and configuration.
The big six has been refitted but upgraded with a modified cam, a 650 Holley 4-barrel carb on a long Redline manifold, extractors and twin exhausts. It drives through a 4-speed gearbox to an LSD at the rear axle. Front brakes have been improved by use of the later, larger CM model discs and calipers. ?It drives like a 1970?s car, good for cruising, but not much else?, David remarked.
The orange, red and purple Chargers that David and Glenn have almost finished building have been a massive undertaking, with rusty floors and panels being the biggest concern. Six Valiants went into the three Chargers and after enjoying the fruits of their labour for a little while, David and Glenn will probably offer the cars up for purchase.
