Plymouth

The Valiant debuted at the 44th British International Motor Show in London in October 1959. It was introduced as a 1960 model and was officially considered a distinct brand. For the 1961 model year, the Valiant was classified as a Plymouth. It was created to give the company an entry in the compact car market emerging in the late 1950s. The Valiant was less radical in configuration than General Motors' compact Chevrolet Corvair, which had an air-cooled rear-mounted engine, but was considered more aesthetically daring than the also-new Ford Falcon and Studebaker Lark compacts, which had more conventional looks. It became well known for its excellent durability and reliability and was one of Chrysler's best-selling automobiles during the 1960s and 1970s, helping to keep the company solvent during an economic downturn.

The Valiant was completely redesigned for the 1967 model year and the station wagons, hardtops and convertibles were dropped. Buyers who wanted a Valiant-type hardtop coupé or convertible could choose a similarly styled Barracuda, which was still based on the Valiant with a slightly sportier style. Late 1969 the Plymouth Duster was introduced. It was basically a semi-fastback, two-door coupé version of the Valiant. The Duster was available from the 1970 to 1976 model years.