TylerW
Well-Known Member
Hey guys:
I thought I would share a couple videos that I have of driving my 1973 Valiant, since it's a 3 speed on the column and I figure a fair number of people have never even seen one of these in action.
The car itself is a bit scabby since it came from up in PA, but it's 100 percent stock, with 47,000 miles. It has no options other than, get this, an AM/FM radio, which is coded on the fender tag. Of course, the PO kept that for himself. Still running the originally tagged alternator and starter.
For those not familiar with these in a '70's A-body, a few things worth noting:
1. The car has to be parked in Reverse..otherwise you cannot turn the ignition switch to the off position.
2. If you shift the car out of reverse without your belt fastened, the Fasten Belts light illuminates as soon as you release the emergency brake, and stays on.
3. This car runs it's original 1920 carb which has a dashpot on the side which slows the throttle closing rate between gear shifts.
4. I don't know which of the 3-speeds this one has, but low gear is NOT synchronized. You will hear me grind it accidently in the first vid. The first two gears are fairly low ratio, but high takes a big dip. The rear gear appears to be a 3.21.
5. In the second vid, the tire screech and stall was because when I turned the corner, the clutch pedal would not come up. it finally did and killed the engine.
Enjoy!
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfdLfkjEbew"]Driving the 1973 three-on-the-tree Valiant - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDeRp_MKtxA"]1973 Plymouth Valiant spring wake-up drive - YouTube[/ame]
I thought I would share a couple videos that I have of driving my 1973 Valiant, since it's a 3 speed on the column and I figure a fair number of people have never even seen one of these in action.
The car itself is a bit scabby since it came from up in PA, but it's 100 percent stock, with 47,000 miles. It has no options other than, get this, an AM/FM radio, which is coded on the fender tag. Of course, the PO kept that for himself. Still running the originally tagged alternator and starter.
For those not familiar with these in a '70's A-body, a few things worth noting:
1. The car has to be parked in Reverse..otherwise you cannot turn the ignition switch to the off position.
2. If you shift the car out of reverse without your belt fastened, the Fasten Belts light illuminates as soon as you release the emergency brake, and stays on.
3. This car runs it's original 1920 carb which has a dashpot on the side which slows the throttle closing rate between gear shifts.
4. I don't know which of the 3-speeds this one has, but low gear is NOT synchronized. You will hear me grind it accidently in the first vid. The first two gears are fairly low ratio, but high takes a big dip. The rear gear appears to be a 3.21.
5. In the second vid, the tire screech and stall was because when I turned the corner, the clutch pedal would not come up. it finally did and killed the engine.
Enjoy!
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfdLfkjEbew"]Driving the 1973 three-on-the-tree Valiant - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDeRp_MKtxA"]1973 Plymouth Valiant spring wake-up drive - YouTube[/ame]
