1961 Plymouth Valiant 200

Description

Distinct, interesting, vintage, and exceptionally affordable, this 1961 Plymouth Valiant 200 is one of the most eye-catching true classics you can get your hands on right now.

What makes the Valiant so interesting is that it was a car searching for an identity. This was its second model year on the market, but the first year it carried the Plymouth badge. It was quite a distinct offering that they weren't quite sure where it belonged. The car is smaller in size, and that means a budget price that could fit with Plymouth. But there was also a lot of added style that looked premium enough to fit with Chrysler/Imperial. You see it in the intricate lines of the fender crease that wraps around the front and extends through the doors. And we love how the full-length trim connects with the rear body lines before flowing into the tailfins. It makes for a pretty impressive style. The grille seemed inspired by the Chrysler 300E, and there's even a faux rear-mounted spare tire. So this car was out to grab a lot of attention. And you can really see Virgil Exner's vision in this example so well because the car is quite stock and complete. So while the value price leaves room in your budget to update the paint, polish the chrome, or any other project you may want, we're just quite impressed with the details this sedan already showcases.

The upper-level 200-series model meant a nicer interior, and this continues to look quite stylish. Pieces like the door panels look stock, and the mix of black, white, and gray has a design as chic as an advertisement in Life Magazine. There are also upgrades that make this a nicer cruiser, like the velour seat covers, a carpeted dash, and an AM/FM digital tuner with cassette. And one of the most distinct features is how this Valiant really focuses on the driver. There is a handy set up directly in front of you that includes the heat/defrost control, essential readouts in a machine-turned panel, and the nifty push-button transmission.

Lift the hood and see a very honest and original-style engine bay. The long blue block has the unmissable look of Mopar's slant six, and this 225 cubic-inch unit was the larger/optional one for 1961. So this really keeps the cool/premium Valiant 200-level attitude. These motors are known for their hardy nature, and this one fires up and runs with the kind of eagerness that suggests a well-maintained life thus far. The Valiant was an experiment with unibody cars, and so it makes for a solid feeling on the road. And the three-speed automatic transmission helps with the nice cruising nature.

This first-gen Valiant struggled a little to find its place in the automotive world, and today that means it's a unique sight that gets to tell a lot of stories. So it's great to find an affordable and correct example with so much potential. Call today!!!