Chrysler Drifter
Encyclopedia
The Chrysler Drifter is an automobile which was produced by Chrysler Australia
from 1977 to 1978. It was offered in panel van
and coupé utility
body styles.
Chrysler Australia added a panel van
to their Chrysler CL Valiant range in April 1977, and a few weeks later they introduced the “Drifter Pack” as an option on that body style. The Drifter Pack included a Chrysler Charger grille, quartz halogen high beam headlights, a sports steering wheel, radial ply tyres, styled wheels and special exterior paint and decal treatment with colour-coded bumpers. The 4.3 litre Hemi 265 engine and a four speed floor shift manual transmission were standard on the Drifter.
In spite of its option pack status, Chrysler marketed the model as the Chrysler Drifter without using the name “Valiant”. The Drifter pack was also available on the Chrysler Valiant Utility, which was also marketed as the "Chrysler Drifter".
The Drifter did not carry over to the 1978 CM Valiant range as Chrysler Australia discontinued both the panel van and utility body styles at the end of the CL series. The brief life of the Drifter was marked by low sales as competition from comparable offerings from Ford and Holden
was stiff.
Chrysler Australia also used the Drifter name on a special edition Charger Drifter, released in 1978".
Chrysler Australia
Chrysler Australia is the importer of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles for sale in the Australian marketplace. However, there had previously been a "Chrysler Australia Ltd" which had operated as a vehicle manufacturer in Australia from 1951 until 1980....
from 1977 to 1978. It was offered in panel van
Panel van
A panel van is a form of solid van, smaller than a lorry or truck, without rear side windows...
and coupé utility
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
body styles.
Chrysler Australia added a panel van
Panel van
A panel van is a form of solid van, smaller than a lorry or truck, without rear side windows...
to their Chrysler CL Valiant range in April 1977, and a few weeks later they introduced the “Drifter Pack” as an option on that body style. The Drifter Pack included a Chrysler Charger grille, quartz halogen high beam headlights, a sports steering wheel, radial ply tyres, styled wheels and special exterior paint and decal treatment with colour-coded bumpers. The 4.3 litre Hemi 265 engine and a four speed floor shift manual transmission were standard on the Drifter.
In spite of its option pack status, Chrysler marketed the model as the Chrysler Drifter without using the name “Valiant”. The Drifter pack was also available on the Chrysler Valiant Utility, which was also marketed as the "Chrysler Drifter".
The Drifter did not carry over to the 1978 CM Valiant range as Chrysler Australia discontinued both the panel van and utility body styles at the end of the CL series. The brief life of the Drifter was marked by low sales as competition from comparable offerings from Ford and Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
was stiff.
Chrysler Australia also used the Drifter name on a special edition Charger Drifter, released in 1978".