Barn find Valiant

Hey, sweet, that's an early-production V200 (the inner trim ring on the "spare tire" trunk lid was deleted early in the '60 model year). Not super-early, though, because you haven't got the "shark fin" atop each front fender, and not one of the first ones built, because you haven't got the stainless steel trim around the windshield and backglass.

Be very careful before you decide to spend any money with Clifford. They have a long and ugly reputation for being a bunch of clowns; see for example here, here, here, here, and here. Much of what they sell is inaccurately described, and a lot of it is not even slightly cost-effective. The good news is that you don't need to go to Clifford to get hot rod parts for slant-6s; there are lots of other, better options. See for example Dutra Duals and header options discussed in this thread and this one, Erson custom cams, HEI ignition upgrade, 1.6-ratio rocker setup from RAS, Mike Jeffreys windage trays, Hurricane intakes, other exotic intakes. Hi-perf engine buildup here, high-perf parts and build info here.

Engine paint info is here. For now, to get it running respectably, tune-up parts and technique suggestions in this thread, and remember it'll need a valve adjustment.

Suppliers for resto parts: See here.

I can't thank you enough for this info. Probably saved me days/weeks of stumbling around looking for this much info. It was running poorly when I picked it up in rural Missouri and have now got it running smoothly but it does need some valve adjustment and probably a valve job. It has 55,000 miles on it and some cancerous floor panels but little body cancer. Everything works except the heater and the core is good but some valve is leaking. (Minor detail) Also appreciate the info on dating it. When I pulled the door panels to clean out the door drains, one was dated December, 1959 and one was dated January, 1960. It does have a trim ring embedded in the rubber around the windshield and backglass but the "chrome" has weathered off the plastic.

This is most definitely a "project car" and will take some time to get it back but with patience, a few $'s and help with information from you and others on this site, I'll be able to save it.

BTW, I have the original Hot Rod magazine from 1960 road testing and comparing the Valiant to the Falcon and Corvair. Also the one where they put a small block Chevy in a Valiant. Interesting reads!

Thanks again!