Chrysler Australia Valiant Charger E49
The Chrysler Valiant Charger E49 stands as one of the most extraordinary muscle cars ever produced, and one of the rarest. Built as a homologation special for Australian touring car racing, the E49 took the already impressive Charger platform and transformed it into a road-legal racing weapon. Its Hemi 265 inline-six engine, fitted with triple Weber DCOE 45 sidedraft carburetors, produced a staggering 302 horsepower — making it one of the most powerful naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines of its era.
The E49 designation stood for the highest performance level in Chrysler Australia's option code system. Beyond the triple-Weber engine, the E49 package included a close-ratio 4-speed Borg-Warner T10 transmission, heavy-duty suspension, a limited-slip differential, front disc brakes, and a host of competition-oriented upgrades. The car was designed specifically to compete in CAMS Group E touring car events, and it proved devastating on the racetrack.
Only 149 E49 Chargers were produced, making it extraordinarily rare. The car's racing pedigree was immediately apparent — it won Bathurst and numerous other Australian touring car events, cementing its legend. On the street, the E49 was both thrilling and somewhat intimidating, with the triple Webers requiring careful tuning and maintenance.
Today, the E49 Charger is among the most valuable Australian-built cars, with prices regularly exceeding half a million dollars at auction. It represents the absolute pinnacle of Australian muscle car engineering — a time when local manufacturers built genuinely world-class performance cars for a relatively small market. Every surviving example is meticulously documented and fiercely guarded by its owner.
Extremely rare and valuable — provenance is everything. Verify the build number against Chrysler Australia records. Check for matching numbers engine and transmission. Many regular Chargers have been converted to E49 spec — only genuine factory E49s command top dollar. Inspect Weber carburetors for correct part numbers. The Hemi 265 engine block casting numbers must match. Any known racing history adds enormous value.
Only 149 units built as homologation specials for touring car racing. The Hemi 265 engine was unique to Chrysler Australia — not derived from American Chrysler engines. Triple Weber DCOE 45 carburetors were hand-assembled and tuned. Each car came with a comprehensive owner's manual covering the Weber carburetor maintenance.