Motor Trend - August 1966
Road Test: Valiant Signet Six
After a season of road testing "hot" one, "plush" ones, and cars with price tags representing almost the total investment in a test driver's home, it's refreshing to step into a car priced somewhere near the average buyer's price range, and find that it too is a good, practical car - well worth having.
The Plymouth Valiant Signet doesn't offer tire-smoking acceleration, but does deliver decent performance for normal driving - and does it with an eye to economy. The Signet is one step below the Barracuda and is the top of the Valiant line as far as "squarebacks" go. With its reasonable price and over-20-mpg gas mileage, a lot of value is received for the nominal outlay.
The interior of the Signet is finished in good fashion, with a long-wearing synthetic material on the seats and carpets on the floor. Driving the car is a pleasure, as the speedometer and accompanying dashboard gauges are in the driver's quick line of vision. We especially liked the speedo for its large face and near-perfect calibration.
Our test Car Came with the 225-cubic-inch 6, which develops 145 hp, and TorqueFlite transmission. Performance around town was particularly pleasing, as the car did itself proud in picking up speed When it came time to merge into freeway traffic-something 6s have lacked in most other cars.
Five people can ride comfortably in the hardtop, and most of their luggage can go along in the spacious trunk. No matter who or how many rode in the car, they all commented on the short width of the seat. Just because the car is a "compact" doesn't mean that "compact" people will be riding in it. This is an area that could be improved by Plymouth's "human factors'' designers. After any sustained riding or driving in the car, our legs felt the need for a little extra support under the thighs, due to the narrow seat.
One other item that detracted from the overall good quality of the Valiant was the sealing of the side windows at their point of meeting. With the glass roller up; a key can easily be placed between the lip of the front window lying over the back. The windows seem to fit loosely in their openings here and it would be a perfect place for a thief - or even adverse weather elements - to enter.
Braking is about average for cars of this size and weight - in other words, there's room for improvements. When a panic stop is performed, an overabundance of rear-wheel hops is experienced. The car continues in a straight line, but the vibration feeding through the car from the wheel hop is enough to shake your dentures loose, and we'd imagine also quite a few of the nuts and bolts that hold the car together.
Our car had power steering, and it took us a few mites to get accustomed to it. The steering unit is extremely sensitive slid deflects the car at any slight movement of the wheel.
The absence of play is an advantage but anyone not having had experience behind the wheel of a car so equipped should be forewarned. However, this steering sensitivity can be quickly mastered once it is recognized.
We feel the Valiant's styling is one of its strong points.
Clean, crisp lines are highlighted by an absence of garish trim. On the Signet models, silver paint is added to the lower body portion under the midsection chrome. We were asked by several people if it was aluminum, as it does resemble the alloy. Not only does this paintwork add to the appearance of the car, but it is practical in the sense that after rock chips and curb scraping have taken their toll here, only that part need be repainted. No matching of body paint has to be done, for it is just as easy to spray the whole, relatively small section.
Handling is a plus attribute of most Chrysler products, and the Valiant is no exception. Torsion bars, naturally, are used up front, and semi-elliptic springs in the rear. Upsprung weight is at a minimum, so there is no quick rebound to the ground when a dip is encountered. Instead, the Valiant comes steadily back to original position, giving both driver and passengers a smooth ride.
The Valiant is a car of many personalities. Perfect for short hops around town by the little woman, it can easily handle the chores of a busy salesman or commuting bread- winner. In addition to two 6s, a V-8 is available for power - and any one of them will capably handle its work. Valiant drivers, ourselves included, easily fall into thinking they are in a larger car than they actually are - but they're happily brought back to reality at the gas pump. - Steve Kelly
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