1964 Chrysler AP5 Valiant Safari

Released in May of 1963, the AP5 replaced the earlier S-Series Valiant. It was the first Valiant model to be manufactured in Australia, rather than just assembled. The AP in the model code stood for “Australian Production”. The AP5 carried over the R and S-Series 3.6 litre slant six engine, although it was now fitted with a new single-barrel downdraft Holley carburetor; the Holley provided a slight improvement in fuel consumption, although the power remained the same at 145bhp (or 109kW). The vehicle on display is a later “Canadian”-bodied wagon, featuring vertical ’64 Plymouth Valiant taillights, instead of the earlier horizontal units. These “Canadian”-bodied wagons were built using imported rear panels from North American Valiants, which gave them slightly different tailgate and light assemblies compared to the fully Australian-bodied versions. A total of 49,440 AP5 Valiant cars were built before February 1965, 12,148 were wagons.