Descripción
This 770 over the years, in the hands of enthusiasts, has morphed into an R/ T ‘look-alike’.
The car presents in its factory Hemi Orange livery and blacked out grille but with added R/ T type red grille horizontals, along with a black stripe wrapping over the tail spoiler and back up the waistlines. ROH cast alloy wheels unique to the R/ T have also been added, along with the bonnet blackout and vertical stripes behind the front wheel arches.
In terms of a historical link to the marque’s history, it doesn’t come much better than this 1971 Chrysler Valiant VH 770 Charger E37 “6” Pack.
Owner John Ellis headed up Chrysler Australia’s factory Pacer and Charger racing programs in the 1970s at 28 years old, and was personally responsible for working in Italy with Weber to productionise the triple, dual throat “6” Pack Weber carburettors fitted standard to the “6” Pack E37, E38 and E49 model Chargers.
Delivered new in 1971 to the NSW, Tamworth Chrysler dealer – Harold Kensell – this particular VH Charger was optioned with both the E37 “6” Pack Webers, and added front quarter vents and delete rear pop out windows (option code G60). [Note the G60 option code was not stamped on the body plate but is detailed in the Valiant Infobase report commissioned by John Ellis that accompanies the car.]
During Ellis’ ownership, he reversed the G60 option, by removing the quarter vents and installing rear pop out windows.
Reportedly, Kensell had wanted a full-house E38 Charger but had to settle for this E37 optioned car, which he is said to have soon up-specced with an E38-style long-range racing fuel tank and related components. He may well have also added the R/ T stripe package the car still wears today.
At some later stage, the original three-speed manual gearbox was also replaced with an E49 four-speed unit.
The late John Ellis purchased this 770 Charger in January 1999 and, with friend Leo Geoghegan, Chrysler’s lead factory driver in period, contested Classic Adelaide events in the early 2000s. Geoghegan and Ellis have both signed the car under the bonnet.
This VH Charger 770 E37 “6” Pack is in very good condition throughout, finished in its correct factory Hemi Orange paintwork with black vinyl interior. Both present well.
Its E37 265ci “6” Pack six-cylinder engine has recently (2020) been rebuilt, as has the E49 gearbox, while extensive work done has also been done on other mechanicals, as evidenced by the generous folder of receipts that come with the car.
For a time a regular on the run from Adelaide to Albury Wodonga for the ‘Chryslers on the Murray’ event, this 1971 Chrysler Valiant VH 770 Charger E37 “6” Pack is a very useable classic that has significant provenance relating to the very development of the model in Australia.
Since 2016 the car has had $24, 900 spent on it, which included restoration and rebuilding the engine, gearbox, clutch, brakes and other mechanicals. The work was done by Adelaide Brake and Mechanical and Rick Corbett Engine Reconditioners. Paul Pavlou Motors dyno tuned the engine and rebuilt the Weber carburettors. A set of five tyres were purchased from North Terrace Tyres.
That alone makes it a must for dedicated Chrysler enthusiasts.
