At the 1970 Hardie-Ferodo 500 Chrysler's VG Valiant Pacer 2 Barrell finished 4th and 5th behind the winning Ford works XW Falcon GTHO Phase II of Allan Moffat, the second placed GTHO of Bruce McPhee and the 3rd placed LC Torana GTR XU-1 driven by Don Holland. Not a bad result for the mighty Pacer. Driven by Doug Chivas and Leo Geoghegan, the Pacer proved itself a very capable racer in a highly competitive field of big budget factory sponsored racers. Only 1,162 VG Valiant Pacers were built. Of those only 209 were optioned with the Bathurst spec E31 Track Pack option making this Hot Mustard all matching numbers example a rare bird indeed. For sale from our Sydney Showroom.
The marketing gurus at Tonsley Park, SA were ahead of the game in coming up with the Pacer concept aimed squarely at the younger buyers. Wild colours and bold ‘hockey’ stripes emblazoned with Pacer 245 were all part of the package. So was Chrysler's determination to build “the hottest production six in Australia”. While the VF model was a solid step into the market, the VG model saw the concept come to life in it's full glory.
The VG Pacer was really a model range on its own. The Pacer equipped with a Hemi 6 entered the market with a dual-barrel carburettor and 138kW. Then came the 'E' optioned cars. The E31 and E34 optioned Pacers were known as Track Pack cars. They came with a hotter cam, a smaller cooling fan, a type of baffled sump, a shot-penned crankshaft and conrods plus a larger radiator. The E31 sported a 2 Barrel Carter carby. The E34 a 4 Barrel AVS Carter. Output was 210 and 235Hp respectively. Then there was the E35 known as the Street Pack a slightly detuned Pacer still with the 4 barrel carby but built for the street not for the strip. The VG also offered a two-door hardtop body in the Pacer range.
There were plently of track inspired options as well. The most sought after among collectors nowadays was J42 which meant the original owner ticked the box for the huge 35 gallon Bathurst fuel tank. And colour combinations for the Pacer included creatively descriptive names like Hot Mustard, Thar She Blue!, Little Hood Riding Red, Hemi Orange, Tan Fastic, Kanga Blue or Bondi Bleach White. There has probably never been quite such an interesting marketing exercise in local automotive industry history, although the later Belmont-based HQ SS came close and followed essentially the same principle.
For sale is an exceptional example of the E31 Track Pack Pacer. The same Pacer model that came home 4th and 5th in the 1970 Hardie-Ferodo 500. A true Bathurst bred race car and a treasure for the Chrysler or Aussie Muscle car enthusiast. In stunning Hot Mustard with Neutral trim this Pacer was restored in the late 1990s and still presents in excellent condition throughout. The Pacer features the original matching numbers 245 Hemi 2 BBL engine mated to the 3 speed manual gearbox. Paint and panel is in great condition with no rust, dents or damage and the interior has been retrimmed while retaining the original door cards, arm rests, hood lining, dash and crash pad, all gauges, the original steering wheel and AM radio.
The engine bay presents in excellent condition with all original running gear, two barrel carby through to the exhaust manifold, single exhaust through to the signature square tipped exhaust outlet. The Pacer retains the original battery terminals, alternator and original horns. The Pacer has been recently fully serviced by a Valiant expert with new coil, starter motor, spark plugs, fuel pump and oils.
Open the boot and the original boot mat is still in place as is the huge race spec 35 gallon J42 optioned fuel tank with deck lid filler. The original cardboard fuel tank cover is still in place and in exceptional condition. The factory tools are also present and accounted for. The Pacer has also been fitted with brand new tyres with the original full wheel covers still in place.
As featured in Unique Cars Magazine Issue 483, this is a rare opportunity to purchase a true Bathurst race bred legend in signature Hot Mustard in magnificent condition throughout. Supplied with the Valiant Infobase verification report, Unique Car Magazine spread and plenty of Bathurst mumbo. HEMI PACER, BOY RACER!
For your private inspection from our Sydney Showroom. (Ref: 6128)
And if you like we will gladly arrange a video inspection/road test of the car using WhatsApp and of course there is no issue with door to door freight delivery anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.
Price: $89,990 VIN: 7-S-41 1872 Engine No: E31*D243A*01881 Paint: YC Taub 4105 - Hot Mustard Trim: N3 - Neutral Options A88 - Pacer Sports dress up package A84 - Competition Package D53 - Suregrip rear axle 3.23:1 E31 - 245c.i. 2 Barrel Track Pack Engine J42 - 35 Gallon Fuel Tank T14 - 185 Tyres (Pacer) Build: 9-1970
