1971 VH Valiant Charger E37 ... Ex. Chrysler Head of Racing - John Ellis ... (SOLD)

For sale is a genuine 1971 VH Charger 770 E37 owned and road rallied by John Ellis, who in 1970 at the age of 28 was responsible for the development of Chrysler Australia's Racing Program. As the Director of Engineering, he and his team were responsible for preparing Valiant Pacers and Chargers to race at Bathurst and other race circuits in 1970 and 1971. He was also responsible for the development with the Weber factory in Italy of the triple dual throat (6 pack) Weber carburettors fitted to the homologation Chargers. For sale from Adelaide, SA.

Purchased by John Ellis in 1999, this genuine Hemi Orange E37 Six Pack was prepared by John and entered in the 2002 Classic Adelaide Tarmac Rally. The E37 was driven by John's good friend and racing legend Leo Geoghegan while Ellis handled the navigation of the circuit. A great example of the Valiant Charger, this E37 still runs its original 265 Hemi 6 Pack engine with those wonderous Italian Weber carbies and has been owned and rallied by two of the most influential men in Chrysler Australia's history books.

According to the Valiant Infobase data sheet, the E37 rolled off the Chrysler production line on Thursday, 26th August 1971 and was delivered new to Harold Kensell & Co, the Tamworth Chrysler Dealer. Sold new in NSW, then to David Jarred of Echunga, SA, the Charger was converted both visually and mechanically into a Charger R/T E37/E38 'Track Pack' complete with the factory 35-gallon (159-litre) fuel tank and R/T spec interior including dashboard and instruments. It is rumoured that this conversion was carried out at the Kensell dealership prior to the delivery of the new car as due to factory shortages, Chrysler had been unable to deliver the required E38 Track Pack car.

When John Ellis purchased the Charger it had already been repainted in the factory Hemi Orange. Overall the paint is in very good condition with nil rust or damage and only minor stone chips and scrapes. The paint applied under the bonnet, in the boot and on the underside of the car is the original factory production line applied paint. The black R/T upholstery is still in very good condition. And the Charger still runs the matching numbers E37 engine with the 'Six Pack' Weber carburetors. The E37 265ci Six Pack six-cylinder engine has recently (2020) been rebuilt, as has the E48 D20 Borg Warner 4 - speed manual gearbox. Extensive work has also been done on other mechanicals, as evidenced by the generous folder of receipts that come with the car. Since 2016 the Charger has had $24,900 spent on it, which included the restoration and rebuilding of the engine, gearbox, clutch, brakes and other mechanicals. The mechanical work was done by Adelaide Brake and Mechanical and Rick Corbett Engine Reconditioners. Paul Pavlou Motors dyno tuned the engine and rebuilt the Weber carburettors. The E37 is fitted with Sure-grip limited-slip differential with a 2.92: 1 ratio.

The factory fitted G60 option has been reversed by removing the quarter vents and installing rear pop out windows.

The Charger is fitted with ROH alloy wheels and SUMITOMO 225/60R14 steel belted radials.

The Charger runs and drives strong as you would expect for any E37/E38 competition vehicle. It does however prefer running on the open road.

The E37 has been signed on the inner guard by ELLIS and GEOGHEGAN. A regular Chryslers On The Murray participant and club car, the estate of the Late Mr. John Ellis would like this special Charger to go to a new home to be appreciated by another Chrysler enthusiast. Should the next owner of this Charger not want it adorned with the racing stickers, then the Ellis Family will have them professionally removed at no cost following the sale.

This Valiant Charger is certainly connected with the most exciting times of Chrysler's history in Australia and the connection with John Ellis and Leo Geoghegan mske this particular Charger irresistible for any Chrysler enthusiast.

Take the time to watch the ABC 4 corners program on BATHURST - THE BIG THREE 1970 hosted by Mike Willesee (Link below) and you'll get to see a young John Ellis hustling the Valiant Pacers and Chargers against the big dollar racing might of Ford's super slick Al Turner and the Holden Dealer Teams sly as a fox Harry Firth AOM in Chevron Marketing Services Classic Australian Touring Car Races Volume 2 introduced by the legendary Will Hagon.

The car is South Australian Historic registration. RDM562 plates included for a South Australian buyer. Available for inspection in Adelaide, SA. (Ref: 6463)

If you wish we will gladly arrange a video tour/inspection of the car using WhatsApp and of course there is no issue with door to door enclosed transport anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

Call Mike on 0414 278 604 or Nick on 0499 577 997 and let us assist you with your inquiries. Also please note if you have a quality Muscle or Classic car you wish to list or have valued please give us a call at AMCS, we will be happy to assist you.