OWNER : Andrew
VEHICLE : Valiant VF Utility
CLIENTS OBJECTIVE : Custom Street Rod
WORK COMPLETED :
- Extensive Rust Repairs
- Chassis Rail Repair
- Impact Damage Repair
- Fabricated Wheel Tubs
- 17' American Racing Wheels
- Custom Alloy Dash Fascia
- AlterKtion Front Suspension
- Willwood Disc Brake Front
- Custom Ute Hardlid
- Full Rear Bar (Delete Bumerettes)
- Mild 340ci Mopar Small-Block & 727 Transmission
The humble 'Australian' Ute has been a pillar of our motoring history for years, this Valiant VF Utility dares to be different with about the only factory feature remaining being it's colour, Alpine White, although it will be fitted with a Red bumble-bee stripe ! This very modified ute will feaure fabricated rear wheel tubs whilst rolling on massive 17x11' rear & 17x7 front Torque-Thrust II wheels, for that old-school muscle-car look. It will have a full AlterKtion coil over front tubular conversion, Wilwood front disc-brakes and a modified & shortened 31 spline diff fitted with LSD and 3.89 gears also with disc brakes. A custom hardlid has been fabricated that really makes this Ute sharp. A Wagon rear bar will be shaves adn retro-fitted to replace the factory corner bumperettes. The interior will really be something special, with custom alloy dash fascia, Stewart Warner gauges, floor shifter, low-back bucket seats & modern-look. It will also be fitted with the legendary Mopar 340 Small-Block so you know it means business..... check back from time to see progress on this Muscle-Ute.
RESTORATION COMPLETE
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This is one very special Valiant Utility. You may notice a few changes to the final build over the initial build credentials listed at the top of this page, all changes were made in an effor to bring to life a better finished project. We here at PP&R have a 'love/hate' relationship with this particular car, and for good reason. Never have we experienced a car that fought us tooth and nail NOT to be built. Thwarted with countless issues surrounding the completion of this car, we are now pleased to handover this car...although we'll miss it a little ! Through the images below we can show you some of the neat features, I am no photographer and we were spent for time on a rainy Saturday afternoon but there is some nice shots anyway.
There really is so many things that make this car special. This is one of very few Mopars in Australia flaunting a complete road-registered and engineered tubluar front coil-over suspension system, this doesn't drive like your average Valiant. In the engine compartment you'll find a strong 340 V8, Dry-Cell battery, Thermo-Fan cooled aluminium radiator, custom mandrel bent headers, MSD ignition system and loads of clean detail. Rolling on 17" ARW TT2, the 11.5" fill the custom fabricated wheel tubs perfectly. The differential is a shortened 4-pinion LSD Borg-Warner, suitable for the street work it will see and fitted with rear disc brakes. Front brakes are Wilwood, this car brakes beautifully !
We have deleted all the exterior chrome work, with shaved and modified bumpers painted in a process called 'shadow-chrome', this technique has become a PP&R specialty. Some other nice touches that most people may not even notice include a completely fabricated alloy grille assembly based on the factory VF-VIP platform and painted in theme with the rest of the car and featuring a process unique to many Chrysler classic vehicles called 'Textured Argent' paint. The new grille gives the car a factory feel combined with a more modern customised look. To follow this theme we selected a set of modern 'Prism' headlamps which really set the front of the car off and improve night driving dramatically over original equipment.
The factory rear valance panel has been removed and replaced with a hand fabricated roll-pan with neat license plate receptor. To enhance this clean look, the rear bumperettes have been shaved and capped to profile the roll-pan and compliment to appeal of the car. Another neat addition is the custom fibreglass hardlid, gas struts assist with opening. Painted body colour and carrying the classic 'Bumble-Bee' stripe this hardlid really was alot of work, we don't really want to do another...ever ! Future hardlids will be made from alloy sheet, in fact this car may very well get our first prototype alloy hardlid in the near future.
The interior is fresh and clean, featuring colour themed interior trim and paint, aftermarket Stewart Warner gauges, B&M floor shifter (with PP&R touch) and wood-rim steering wheel. Restored as a borderline street and strip machine, I think the PP&R team pulled it off pretty nicely. Turning heads wherever it goes, it will give Andrew plenty of fun.
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