Chryslers by the Bay highlight – 1972 VH Valiant Charger R/T

The Charger is the kind of car even non-car people have heard of, but amongst the Aussie Chrysler cognoscenti, the Charger is as highly venerated as the Falcon GT-HO is by the Ford fanatics. Being so iconic, it’s no surprise the Charger features prominently at local Mopar-themed car shows, like Chryslers by the Bay.

Hosted by the Bay City Chrysler Car Club Inc. of Geelong, Chryslers by the Bay is an annual event, open to all Chrysler and Chrysler family vehicles, which means Jeep, Simca, American Motors and Rootes Group cars are welcome, too. The bulk of the display field consists of American and Aussie Chryslers, though.

Chryslers by the Bay always sees a good contingent of Chargers, and this year’s 25th edition was no exception, with plenty of stock, restored and modified examples amongst the 200+ cars that were on display.

The Charger made its debut on the VH series Valiant in August, 1971, two months after the VH sedan, wagon and ute range had been released. Although it used the sedan’s panels from the windscreen forward, the rest of the Charger’s body was unique, including an integral rear spoiler that was an Aussie first.

Four grades were available: Charger; Charger XL; Charger R/T; and Charger 770. The base model was true ‘poverty pack’ spec, with a 215 Hemi six and three-speed column manual. Step up the grades and the six-cylinder engines became larger and more powerful, with an automatic and V8 optional. Trim and appointments increased, too.

In terms of desirability, the Charger R/T with the ‘E38’ option was the one to have, at least initially. This combined the ‘look at me’ exterior stripes, decals and paint outs with genuine capability under the bonnet. The E38 option took the largest available 265 Hemi six and dialled the performance up from 162kW to 210kW via a trio of Weber two-barrel carburettors, a performance crankshaft, higher compression ratio, heavy-duty bearings, ported inlet manifold, extractors and other parts.

Choose the E38 upgrade and you also got an up-spec interior, with tilting bucket seats, full carpeting and a three-spoke steering wheel.

However, even with the E38 and A84 or A87 ‘Track Pack’ (another option that added improvements to the brakes, suspension and steering, along with a larger fuel tank on the A84), the Charger R/T’s potential was limited by its three-speed gearbox. This problem that wouldn’t be addressed until a four-speed was offered from June, 1972.

This option, known as ‘E49’, took what already been proven on the E38 and wound it up some more, not only adding the extra cog to the gearbox, but also increasing maximum power to 226kW via a hotter camshaft and further engine modifications.

Three days after Chrysler Australia announced the Charger R/T E49 on 22 June, 1972, the prospect of similarly powerful machines coming from Ford and GM-H made front page news, kicking off the ‘Supercar Scare’ that saw the LJ Torana V8 and XA Falcon Phase IV projects abandoned. Chrysler’s plans were cut off at the knees, too, with E49 package production ending after approximately 250 were built. Most went into Chargers like the one featured, but a few of the hot Hemi 265 and four-speed combinations went into Valiant sedans, wagons and even utes.

The Supercar Scare meant the VH Charger R/T E49 would prove to be the peak of Charger production, with subsequent generations never matching it in terms of out-and-out performance. It’s arguably the peak of Chrysler Australia’s entire local history, too, but the Charger R/T E49’s value wasn’t fully appreciated until the 1990s, when prices began to rise. Today, E49s are highly valued and the example pictured is typical of the breed, from the 14x7 alloy wheels (available with the A84/A87 option) and ‘4’ on the front guard R/T stripe that signified the four-speed floor-shift manual.

As JUST CARS didn’t get an opportunity to speak to the owner at Chryslers by the Bay, it’s unclear whether this is a genuine Charger R/T E49 or a tribute. If it’s the latter, it’s a very, very good one. The Mercury Silver paint is authentic to the period and one of the more subtle options offered in 1972 - at least compared to Magenta, Vitamin C and Toledo Red that were also available!

Inside and out, this VH Charger R/T was exceptional, with the engine bay clean enough to eat your dinner off, too.

For JUST CARS report on the 2023 Chryslers by the Bay, click HERE.