FEATURE - 1972 Dodge ute

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Provided

Go to any large-scale Ford, Holden or Chrysler show and it’s almost inevitable you’ll find “cars that never were”. I’m talking about vehicles created by enthusiasts that were never offered by the factory in period. From Falcon GT panel vans to Holden Statesman one tonners and Valiant Charger R/T utes, such bespoke vehicles always turn heads. The custom Dodge ute featured here is no exception.

First thing to clarify with this ute is that, yes, it is a Dodge and not a Valiant. Mopar fans will know this, but those outside that circle may not be aware that both Dodge- and Valiant-badged utilities were sold alongside each other by Chrysler Australia throughout the 1960s and ’70s. Go back to the 1950s and Dodge, DeSoto and Plymouth utes were sold here. In between, you could get a Chrysler-badged ute, too. As with the trio of utes available in the ’50s, the Dodge/Valiant pair offered by Chrysler in the ‘60s and ’70s were built off the same platform and had the same body, but differed in terms of standard features, drivetrain choices, trim levels and some identifying elements, like grilles, lights and badging.    

Back after the Break

Following Chrysler Australia’s launch of the “AP” (for Australian Production) range in 1957, replacing the overly complicated Dodge-DeSoto-Plymouth lineup, a ‘Wayfarer’ ute was added in 1958. This was a reflection of the fact that a ute had become essential for any carmaker hoping to make a serious assault on the Aussie market.

However, when the local market embraced the Valiant that debuted here in 1962, it presented Chrysler Australia with a problem. The Valiant had been sourced from the USA, so a ute body wasn’t a part of their model range - and never would be. Chrysler Australia did have access to Dodge and Fargo commercials, but these were pickup trucks. If a car-based ‘coupe utility’ was to be added to the Valiant range, the local arm of Chrysler would have to develop and build it themselves.

By this stage, Holden had been producing utes for more than a decade and Ford had a utility version of the Falcon available from 1961, with Mainline utes offered before that. Chrysler Australia couldn’t offer customers a ute on the R or S Series Valiant, and developing the body meant no ute for the AP5, either. In fact, it wouldn’t be until the AP6 Series in 1965 that a ute was finally available, recycling the ‘Wayfarer’ name that had been introduced the previous decade on the AP2.

How many ute sales were lost to Ford and Holden in that two-year break between the last AP3 ute and the first Valiant ute is hard to measure, but there’s no denying it had an impact. Perhaps that’s why Chrysler Australia broadened their offerings for the VC Series in 1966 – adding a Dodge ute.

As mentioned, Dodge trucks were already available here and Dodge fell under the Chrysler umbrella, so a Dodge-badged version of the VC Valiant ute made some sort of sense. It also allowed a more obvious, immediate separation between two model variants that were pitched at different market segments. While the Valiant was marketed towards tradesmen and small businesses, the Dodge was aimed at farmers and fleet buyers – those that neither wanted nor needed fancy trim or unnecessary features.

Basic, Basic, Basic

For most of its time in Chrysler Australia’s lineup, the Dodge was the cheaper, lower-spec sibling to the Valiant. Lower spec meant reduced engine and transmission options, a lower grade of interior trim and reduced standard features.

The differences were more obvious externally, with painted hubcaps and bumpers on the Dodge that were chromed on the Valiant. Things like bodyside rubbing strips, bright metal windscreen surrounds and other exterior garnish were all absent from the Dodge, too, which almost makes the Valiant sound luxurious. It wasn’t, but it was better trimmed and optioned. In the Dodge’s favour was its higher payload rating – 680kg versus 544kg for the Valiant – but that advantage only held for the VC Series. From the VE Series onwards, a 660kg payload would be the same for all Valiant/Dodge utes.

The lower-price, lower-spec trend defining the Dodge against the Valiant in the VC Series continued with the VE Series and the VF and VG Series, which debuted in 1969 and 1970, respectively. On the latter, a mid-level Valiant ute - priced between the Dodge and Wayfarer - that had been introduced in the VE Series was dropped, with the range reverting back to a Valiant Wayfarer and Dodge.

Go Big, Go Broad

For the all-new VH Series that debuted in 1971, Chrysler Australia aimed to match Ford and Holden in every market segment, offering the broadest Valiant range ever. A ‘Charger’ coupe was aimed at the Monaro and Falcon sporty two-doors, while a ‘Chrysler by Chrysler’ premium model, available as a sedan or two-door hardtop, would take the fight to the Statesman and Fairlane.

In terms of the utes, a base-spec Valiant returned for the VH, while the Wayfarer was replaced with the Ranger; a new name also applied to a mid-tier Valiant sedan and station wagon. The Dodge remained the low-price leader and continued to be fitted with painted bumpers and hubcaps, little to no exterior trim and limited options. While the Dodge did eventually gain the locally-developed ‘Hemi’ six-cylinder engine that had been introduced to other models with the VG Series (replacing the Slant Six), it was the lowest capacity, lowest output version – a 215ci unit producing 140hp and 200lb/ft (104kW and 271Nm). 

A Hemi 245 was optional, increasing output to 165hp and 235lb/ft (123kW and 319Nm), but the Hemi 265 and 318 V8 were unavailable. Same goes for the three-speed automatic that Valiant utes could be optioned with - the Dodge retained the venerable three-on the-tree. Drum brakes front and rear were standard, with front discs optional.  A limited-slip diff and heavy duty tyres were optional, too, while even a tonneau cover was an extra cost item, reflecting the “poverty pack” spec of the Dodge. 

Unavailable exotica included a 360 V8 from the Chrysler by Chrysler and the 340 V8 that was part of the ‘E55’ spec for the Charger R/T. However, the underlying engineering in the ute’s structure means it can handle either engine, as evidenced by the number of such conversions that have been done over the years, including to the vehicle featured.   

Ultimately, Chrysler Australia’s grand plans to fight Holden and Ford head on with the VH Series Valiants failed. Aside from the Charger, which was a smash hit for a few brief years, the broad range didn’t make the market impact hoped for and was cut dramatically for the VJ Series that followed in late-1973.

Curiously, a Dodge was the only ute offered in the VK Series of 1975, while the CL Series saw Dodge dropped and Valiant utes return. Chrysler Australia was in its death throes by this stage, with no utes of any kind offered in the CM Series that debuted in 1978 and ran to the end of Valiant production in 1981.

The Looks, the Moves

While the featured Dodge ute, a 1972 VH model, started out with the standard Hemi 215 and three-speed manual, it’s a LONG way removed from that now. Decoding the VIN shows it was built in August, 1972, painted Blonde Olive with tan trim. A tonneau cover was the only factory-fitted option.

While the early history is unconfirmed, it’s believed this ute was sold new in Tamworth, NSW. It must have seen only light work, as the body was in very good condition when the second owner, Dave Maddern, who's based in the Blue Mountains, purchased it in the late 1990s.

As bought, the tray was in amazingly good condition, aided by an aftermarket canopy believed to have been fitted from new, but the tailgate – a known rust spot for most utes – needed a new skin.

The condition of the six and three-speed as purchased is unrecorded, but Dave removed both, replacing them with a 360 V8 and four-speed manual with floor shift. Although offered briefly on the VJ Valiant range, the 360 was mostly a Chrysler by Chrysler exclusive, while the four-speed is more often connected with the E49-spec Charger R/T – the ultimate example of the breed.

Fully rebuilt, the torquey 360 was bored 40 thou over and runs 10:1 compression. Upgrades included a Comp Cams Magnum cam with a 280 duration and 480 lift – what its builder describes as a good street cam. Additionally, the heads were rebuilt and new pistons fitted, plus ARP conrod bolts, new rings and bearings, new valves with hardened seats, new valve guides and a double-row timing chain.

A 160-degree thermostat was fitted, along with a three-core radiator, but the factory seven-blade fan remains. There’s now an Edelbrock manifold and 750 vac sec carby on the intake side and Pacemaker extractors with a dual 2 ½-inch exhaust system on the outlet side.

The transmission is a period-correct Borg Warner four-speed manual, which was rebuilt and fitted to a balanced tailshaft, while the rebuilt LSD has a 3.23:1 ratio – which was actually factory spec for a VH ute with the Hemi 215 and Hemi 245.

Unusually, the factory drum brakes were retained, but the calipers were reconditioned and new rear drums fitted. For the suspension, the factory torsion bar front and leaf spring rear has been upgraded with adjustable Koni shocks at each end.

A repaint in factory Blonde Olive was completed just over five years ago, when the black bonnet paint outs were added. Factory option 14-inch alloys, a Charger grille and lights lend the Dodge an R/T look, which was enhanced by current owner, Rebecca Robinson, who added the R/T stripes and decals on the front guards and a full R/T fitout inside. 

Ford AND Chrysler

This Dodge is Rebecca’s second Mopar, following a VH Charger 770 that’s undergoing a full restoration and is due to be completed soon. However, Rebecca’s been a Ford girl for most of her life, owning two-door and four-door ’67 Galaxies previously. The latter was sold to Silverchair’s Daniel Johns and, at time of writing, was in the possession of Street Machine’s Geoff Seddon.

An XB GT coupe is Rebecca’s long-term Ford love (she’s owned it for 25 years) and one she’s planning to pass on to the next generation. She’s been involved in the restoration and racing of other GT Falcons over the years, too.

All of which begs the question, ‘Why Mopar?’

“There’s just something about these Valiants,” Rebecca says. “A couple of years before I bought the Charger, I started looking around (for a new project) and I’d see them come up for sale. I thought, ‘I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for them.’ They look good and are a good Aussie car.”

While the purchase of the Charger was emotional, the Dodge was more practical.

“I needed something to curb my need to drive a V8,” Rebecca laughs. “It would be handy, though. I can run around, pick up parts (for the Charger project) - and drive a V8. Happy days!”

The purchase was something of a leap of faith, though, as the deal was done just before COVID closed down borders in 2020, so Rebecca, who lives in Victoria, never saw the ute in the metal until it arrived on a tilt tray from New South Wales. Fortunately, all the restorative and conversion work done by Dave Maddern (and the standard it was done to) meant that very little was needed and Rebecca could drive the ute as is.

A problem with the ignition relays was cured with an ICE distributor and ignition system, but that’s been the only corrective mechanical work done under Rebecca’s ownership. A more comprehensive job was complementing the R/T striping outside with a full R/T fitout inside. Rebecca fitted new Charger R/T bucket seats and door trims, while Moe-based ‘Valiant Professor’ Tom McAlpine was tasked with restoring the dash fascia, getting all the gauges working and fitting a period Chrysler ‘Thumb Wheel’ radio. The heater was refurbished, too.

Under Rebecca’s ownership, the ute’s been more than a parts hauler. It’s been a regular at Midstate Mopars – the annual all-Mopar car show in Bendigo - as well as other car shows and swap meets around Victoria.  It’s yet to be taken to Chryslers on the Murray, though, as that event clashes with Rebecca’s other love: setting motorcycle land speed records on the salt at Lake Gairdner (that’s a story in itself!).

In just over four years of ownership, Rebecca says she's really enjoyed this ute, which makes parting with it a difficult decision (see For Sale breakout). But the Charger project needs resources and a new 351 engine is in the works for the XB GT: “I’m really reluctant to part with her, but it’s now time to pass it on to the next person to enjoy.”

When Rebecca listed the Dodge with JUST CARS it caught our eye immediately, which is something she’s used to: “It turns heads everywhere I go. People look at it, everyone comments on it. And a lot of people love the colour.”

In terms of the driving experience, Rebeccas adds: “With that four-speed and 360 - once you’re past first and second - man, it’s got some legs. It really moves!”

If just seeing this very cool custom ute isn’t enough to have you reaching for your wallet, maybe Rebecca’s parting words will.

“It sounds good, It looks good, it goes good. It’s just the full package.”

For Sale

While it’s not the first Valiant/Dodge ute to get the R/T lookalike treatment, this one’s arguably been done better than most. Granted, the upgrade to a 360 instead of a Hemi 265 isn’t authentic R/T, but the V8 performs well, with lots of torque, which combined with the four-speed manual, makes it ideal for cruising.

As so much work has been done already, and most of that being completed relatively recently, the next owner should need no more than to get in and drive. The full interior refurb Rebecca did means nothing’s needed inside, either.

A front brake upgrade to discs should be considered if more spirited driving is the intention, but the all-drum set-up apparently works well enough for street applications.

A classic Aussie ute with a difference, this one’s asking price is $49,770 ono.

For more details, click HERE