1966 Plymouth Other

Sedan

3.7L 3687CC 225Cu. In. l6 GAS Naturally Aspirated

Automatic

VL41B65153311

Clear

GAS

1966 Plymouth Valiant 100 BASE 225 Chrysler Slant-6 Engine with a Holley 1920 Single Barrel 3-Speed Torqueflight Automatic Transmission Here's an all original 1966 Plymouth 4 Door Valiant, built in Los Angeles, and sold in Fresno where it spent all but the last part of it's life. 118000 original miles. I've been slowly piecing her back together over the last year as a fun project. It is now a fully rebuilt drive train, re-upholstered interior, and all the lights and switches work. The suspension's been rebuilt, along with the brakes, and wheel bearings. It idles smooth with the 1 barrel Holley 1920 carb, and even has a little juice when you floor it. The Torqueflight transmission shifts great and makes it a blast to drive. I've been driving it while I finish it up and have a great time with it, compact, quick, great ride, good in the snow, smooth shifting, and surprisingly good gas mileage. It comes complete with all original chrome (except the door strips) and full hubcaps. It's all original badging, a few dings, all straight body, and drives like the 1960's all over again. This was the working man's car and the parent of the Barracuda and Duster muscle cars of the 70's. Owned by factory workers and work-a-day shoe salesmen, an iconic piece of Americana. It has survived the gas crisis, the 80's import flood, and the modern day obsession with 2-doors; dodging the wrecking yard's crusher for almost 50 years, humble and noble. Representing a lost golden age of American built and harkening back to that 'built right here' age of America. If you're looking for something to drive that's got tons of history, a bit of class, and always turns heads, look no further. A daily driver from the 60's that is a breeze to keep in tip top shape, and fun to drive! A Bit'O History With the rise of the 'compact' car in America, the Plymouth Valiant, more specifically a fast-back model later to be known the world over as the Barracuda, was the saving grace for the Plymouth company whose sales took a dive in these mid years. The Valiant line of cars also got a one year remodel by Elwood Engel who was the originator of all those long, straight lines in the Valiants and Belvederes. This new styling helped Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth stay in business well into the seventies. The Valiant compact was the 'everyday' man's car. Cheap, economical, and easy to drive, they were owned by school teachers and plumbers, and graced the driveways of suburban homes all across America. They were also heavily imported to Australia and New Zealand and have come to near cult status in those countries. The base model, the 4 door, was a family car. This Valiant was made in the Chrysler's Los Angeles plant, an 86 acre plant which occupied the southeast corner of 5800 Eastern and Slauson. This plant employed 2100 people, had 30 trains and 70 trucks deliver goods to it everyday. It also contracted with 75 local companies, such as the upholstery shop in Compton, CA which did the seats, to send $14 million into the local economy of southern California. It was then shipped and sold by Leach Chrysler Plymouth of Fresno to a local. It then stayed in the Fresno city until I purchased it in 2013 and brought it here to Reno, Nevada. What's Been Done So Far Under the Hood Rebuilt Original Chrysler Slant 6 225 ci. Bored and Honed .040 over New Aluminum Pistons New Stock Cam New Lifters New Cam, Timing Chain, and Sprocket Turned Crank .010 New Cam, Main, and Rod Bearings New Oil Pump New Seals & Gaskets, including Head, Intake/Exhaust, Header Decked Head, Valve seals New Water Pump Rebuilt Original Radiator New Engine Mounts MSD 40k Coil Electronic Ignition - concurrently .40 gapped plugs for easy morning starts! New Alternator Rebuilt Holley 1920 Carburetor - Including the original air cleaner which I clear coated to preserve its patina and original 225 sticker. 70's Exhaust headers - One of only a few parts I replaced with a new piece. The original piece was cracked at the interchange and the newer model headers are cast with a raised seam to prevent this cracking. If you look at the header closely you can tell it's not period. Just, and I mean, just broke in. It still requires the cheap dino oil for another 5000 miles at least before you could switch to a synthetic. New Muffler, exhaust pipe, hanger, and chrome tip. All new electronics, solid state voltage regulator, new battery cables, plugs, wire set, etc. New washer fluid bottle. New hoses, filters, nic-nacks Transmission New Lower Seals for 3-Speed Torqueflight Transmission New Rear Universal Bearings Front Suspension New Bushings for Lower Swingarm New Control Arm Bushings New Shocks New Wheel Bearings New Brake Lines New Brake Shoes New Master Cylinder Interior RetroSound Model 1 Stereo - my replacement for the stock stereo allowing for a modern sound without cutting up the dashboard. Currently RetroSound does not make a Plymouth face plate for Valiants so it is sans the face plate. RetroSound said they were getting more interest in MoPar and were looking into making more Valiant/Duster stuff, still waiting. New Antenna 4 New 6x9 speakers. New Rear deck plate - using the original 6x9 slots which prevented me from cutting up the rear deck plate. The original padding the cardboard no-speaker plate come with it although it is very sun worn. Dome Light Cover Dash light bulbs, including automatic indicator. New Heater Core Completely Re-Upholstered Front and Back Seats - These were completely redone by Denison and Son's here in Reno, NV. They took it down to the frame, fixed the broken springs and did a fantastic job of upholstering them, from the quilting, inner liner, to a very closely matched vinyl pattern! They look great and are even more comfortable. Sealed the floor pans and patched over the very small amount of holes, mostly under the air conditioner on the passenger side. New body plugs. A cheap carpet kit, and I mean cheap. It looks good enough to step on, but isn't expensive enough to worry about. Comes With A NOS 1967 Temperature Gauge, new in box. I got this as a possible swap with the current gauge, due to the original not working. I was still hoping to find a reasonably priced 1966 gauge, thus not having installed it. All the seat belts. They are the original belts but are pretty faded. Only one of the three spring retracters still works, however. **Cough** I never got around to reattaching them, although I have all the hardware. **Cough** All original full hubcaps including fifth for the spare, original dealer license plate frame, original jack, original spare, dealer installed air-conditioning, rear deck pad and board. Still to Be Done Headliner - its up there but held together with safety pins and the reason is ... Front Windshield ... the windshield has a chip in it and taking it out to fix the headliner will shatter the windshield. So I have been waiting to find a reasonably priced original non-tinted front windshield before attempting the headliner. Hunt down the electrical demon preventing the horns from working and the fuel gauge from properly sending. Currently both horns actually work as well as the fuel gauge. However, pushing on the horn button makes no sounds and the fuel gauge only likes to work when it feels like it. Driver's side sun visor. The original is losing its stitching on the bottom. Hasn't come apart yet. Rear pinion seal is leaking slightly, should be looked at eventually. Dash Pad has two cracks in the middle ridges. I've been looking for replacements, trying to avoid the dash pad cap they make. No luck yet. Door, Trunk, and Window seals would have been last on my list. They all work from keeping water out, but it's a bit noisy on the freeway. The woven door frame padding (looks like a red weave over the rubber bumpers) are also nuts expensive. Replace the door arm rests. The originals are cracking apart. Still work though. Not so much a needs-to-be-done, but I was considering getting a late model ('77-'80) head for it for fuel economy and drivability. The later heads also had hardened valve seats and bigger valves but popped right on without any mods. Plus, unless you look up all the stamps, nearly identical. The stock head works great though, so I've been on the fence about it. Another, not-really-needed, source a new air-conditioning condenser and maybe a pump, clean out the lines, and install a new valve, for sweet, cool air conditioning with your Climatic Air Imperial air conditioning! All the parts, except the condenser (dont' have) and the front pulley (which I have) are attached and wired up and work. I've had this exact air conditioning package in another slant-6 and, when working, cools like an ice box. Fuel Cap gasket. VIN VL41B65153311 decodes as follows: Description Interpretation Code Model: Plymouth Duster, Scamp or Valiant V Price Class: Low L Body Type: 4 door sedan 41 Engine: 225ci slant 6 1bbl (RG motor) B Year: 1966 6 Assembly Plant: Los Angeles, CA 5 Sequence Number: 153311 153311 The Details A deposit of $500 at conclusion of auction, remainder within a week. It's a 50 year old car, well past it's factory warranty, and I don't have to the means to provide one. However, I have no doubt you could jump in it, roll down the windows, and drive from California to Maine without a problem. A big Notice to California Residents: it might have dues owed on it. The Valiant was originally registered for a brief minute in California when I first purchased it in order to get the title. Somewhere between then and when I registered it in Nevada, the State of California seemed to think I was a resident and sent a ton of past due notices. I finally convinced them I live in Nevada and registered the car here, and they stopped sending the notices. If you are the winner and live in California, let me know if there are any past dues, and we can work something out. I'll help you with the pick up anyway I can, all sales are final, and it IS a 50 year old car, so please be aware that it needs attention to stay running. Basic mechanics will do just fine, but it is not fuel injected, has quirks, and requires much care and attention to own, drive, and enjoy! It is up for sale locally as well! UPDATES: Here are some more pictures and a couple videos, sorry about the sound quality, phone videos. Also, kids, don't drive and film! Just last week I redid the head gasket due to a slight oil leak from the lifter oil return edge not having been properly sealed. So brand new Victor head gasket, intake/exhaust gasket, carb mount gasket, fuel filter, and header flange gasket. The valves were set at the same time, of course, and it runs really smooth now. I also have included two more 1920 carbs, a later model one I was meaning to take the newer metering block from and an old chevy I6 one. Both have all the parts there, however neither one, in current form, fits up to the linkage. I rebuilt the original 1920 on the car now, and didn't feel it needed the updated metering block, but it's there if you feel like swapping them. Also, finally cleaned the dirt stains out of the driver's side carpet from my dirty work boots. http://vimeo.com/89206344 http://vimeo.com/89206343 Some Crazy Ads and Americana from the 1960's