The Dodge Challenger Message Board

since buying my own bobcat & sub contracting to my boss i found i needed a ute for work so i bought this rusty heap cheap enough its a 1970 VG valiant ute its licenced & runs well but needs alot of body work but its coming along its only going to be rough coz itll get treated like crap but it should be fun all the same its a 265 hemi 6 with a 3 spd manual with a floor shifter & a mate has given me a lsd for it
so this is causing more delays in the challenger build but i need this for work so its gotta be done first it wont take to long as im not being fussy at all
cheers ian

265 Hemi!!!!Yeah Ian, I love those cars!!

Very Cool, Ian!! It reminds me of the early sixtie's, American Ford Falcon,"Ranchero"! My dad loved those so much, he bought three. Only had one at a time, though. I'd love to have, one of those Valiant Ute's, with a six banger, HEMI!!!

thanks guys yea theyre good value as they are quite a bit lightter than the sedans & coupes so they go harder & the hemi 6 is a lively motor i just love em
cheers ian

a bit more progress the workmanship is as rough as guts but i dont have time to be fussy & it only for work so it wont get treated kindly so itll do ive just gotta get it going
cheers ian
good from far but far from good

Wow, quick progress, looking good Ian... keep it up... look 4ward to the updates

Doesn't look too shabby at all.

Very Nice, Ian! Can't wait, to see future progress. Little Ute, will be Awesome, when finished!

here we go i got it painted this weekend still needs to be buffed to get the shine but its looking better every day
cheers ian

It is definately looking good Ian.

I also like the economy attempt at the red line tires.

Sweet!

gday guys i attacked it with the buff last night now the very rushed bodywork stands out like the proverbial dogs balls but as ive said its for work & will only get trashed
cheers ian

That's a fine little Ute, Ian. I'd be proud to have that as a work truck! Would love to have a Falcon XB GT, and clone to Mad Max's Interceptor.

Mad who? Looking very nice Ian!! What are you gonna do to that Hemi 6? Stock? Does it run?

What are the rectangular holes in the front of the fender for? Air inlet, signals or ...?

I would say signals.

gday guys yep the 265 runs great eddie ill leave it stock for now ill just fit a set of headers & a free flowing exaust & try & find an after market intake
yep those holes at the front of the fenders are for the turn signals ill post pics as it goes back together
yea patrick an xb would be cool but the GTs are just to damn expensive now
im just getting the bumpers ready to paint tonight these base model utes didnt have chrome bumpers or padded dash & a few other options that were normaly standard im just glad it wasnt heater delete coz winters nearly here
cheers ian

well its nearly done & i started it to put it back in the shed & the bottom end started chattering quietly so im a bit crapped off about that & i checked the bottom end on another 265 ive got & its a bit rough ive got 1 more engine to open up i hope it good to go i dont really want to spend money on new shells & a grind
cheers ian

You are damned good Ian. Good luck on the spare 265.

ianandjess wrote:good from far but far from good

HA ha, i like that one, i have never heard that saying. Sounds like my home done Chal rust and paint job. You really did a great job on the 'Bute' from how it looked before. Love the Pacer bonnet touch. I think painting the 3 (or 4?) flutes in the centre of the grille red would set it off even better. That's a damn straight tailgate you have there. Good buy with the 265 and floor shift, too. You really got it up to speed quick, well done, its inspiration for people like me who procrastinate too much. Isn't it weird how the 'quick and ruff' projects, where you don't really care too much, always end up the most worthwhile?

gday steve yea i was thinking about the pacer style grill it would set it off also itll have the signwriting down the sides in a week or so thatll make it apear straighter & i think ill swap the ignition over to electronic itll rev better but it does drive really nicely so im real happy with that theres no slack in the front end at all so at least i dont have to spend money on that side of things
cheers ian

gday guys the ute is almost done now just got a few bits to take care of like the engine swap but that will be easy
cheers ian

Looks really good mate.

You are a Master of your craft Ian. I love it!!!! Man,,thats got to be one quick little bugger too

Looks like a very cool parts chaser you have there.

thanks for the compliments guys it is good fun to drive & itll be better with a healthier motor , im sure itll get used for fetching parts on a regular basis
the planned upgrades over the next few weeks ( well mabe months ) are the new motor , disc brakes all round , lsd , bucket seats & get the bloody heaters working
cheers ian

Wow! Looking really good Ian!

oops i thought the steering was a bit funny

S#!t.. That could have been bad

1st time I have seen this thread......nice job on the ute Ian.

Danny