1961 Valiant V200 Hardtop Coupe

[8TrackDave]

Greetings.
Recently picked up my barn find `61 Valiant V200 coupe. Last registered in 1976, it has 21,519 miles on it. 170 Slant Six, and it actually runs.
It is a power steering, manual brakes, no a/c car with a 3 speed Torqueflite.
Airforce Blue Poly is the exterior color.

So far I've pulled the gas tank and dropped it off at a local shop to see if it can be saved. Badly rusted inside. It is a 13 gallon tank, so none to be found.
Going to pull the radiator too just as a precaution.

Found a great source for P175/80R13 tires, that are actual passenger tires and not trailer tires. That is the correct size to replace the 6.50x13 bias plys.
Dropping my wheels off for sandblasting and repainting to the car color they were.

My car has no antenna or hole where it would be. So I'm assuming it was radio delete.
I'm wondering if anyone might have a `60-`62 Valiant radio delete plate.
Thanks!


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[WildCat]

Welcome and what a cool barn find

Good luck finding parts for it.

Even though it might be a radio delete, think I would put a radio in it. But that is just me

 

[8TrackDave]

Thanks. I found a `61 radio delete plate today. A company that specializes in obsolete Mopar stuff. They had an NOS one for $60. www.CollectorsAutoSupply.com

I've searched for a Valiant radio for 6 months. There is one in Australia, but they want close to $700 for it. Even a Lancer radio which would fit, is $200 for a non-op unit.

The radios for Valiant's `60-`62 and Lancer's `61-`62 are model specific. Both have their name painted on the tuner glass. And Valiant's had white buttons that match the Torqueflite buttons.
But more specific is the angled corners that fit only fit those dashboards. I included an image below.

So far I've been able to find everything I've searched/needed except the 13 gallon gas tank. And I have a shop who thinks they can repair what I have.

 

[8TrackDave]

The radio pictured is a 2nd year Lancer I believe.

I'll install a hidden FM transponder & CD player, and keep the delete plate. Don't want to add an antenna. And wouldn't use the AM radio anyway.

 

[VDART]

[ame="http://www.ebay.com/itm/271608838360?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT"]1962 Plymouth Valiant Am Radio | eBay[/ame]


62 valiant radio for sale, yours was similar but the knobs were round. Lawrence

 

[8TrackDave]

Thanks for the tip. Think I'll stick with delete plate though.

 

[8TrackDave]

Gas tank was one nasty mess. Began leaking the day I picked it up. Which was a blessing in disguise. Otherwise I never would have known. Since it already ran.
Dropped it off at a local shop after pulling it.
They believe they can clean, weld and reseal it. Otherwise I'll need a fuel cell. Since Valiant & Lancer were only a 3 year body style, replacement 13 gallon gas tanks don't exist other than in junk yards if at all. Some have retro fitted larger 18 gallon tanks from `63's, but I'll wait and see.
Found a NOS fuel sending unit for $100. Exact unit, not the aftermarket version.

 

[grimreaper]

Very cool. Your car is awesome! Love those road toads!