Awarded a Rare Spares Real Street Award at this year’s MotorEx, Paula’s 1973 Valiant Charger XL certainly caught the attention of the Rare Spares team.
Purchased approximately ten years ago, Paula tells the story of what drove her to select the 1973 Valiant as her next ride.
“I have a 74 model TA22 Celica which I bought around 17 years ago and still have today. It is so much fun to drive, but I wanted a car with ‘some balls’. I saw [the Valiant Charger XL] advertised and picked it up the next day. I later found out the guy who sold it to me was a past drag racer… kind of explains a bit! But I really love the rear of these Valiants, that duck tail is on point.”
Paula contends that the Valiant is an ongoing project, “it has ‘the good stuff’ under the bonnet and cosmetically I have given it the tuff look, but I always have new ideas to maybe change bits to keep it fresh. Stay tuned!”
When prompted on the Valiant’s eye catching magenta, Paula shares the story of how the colour came to be. “I just love the colour! It was originally white, but I wanted to make it pop. The colour was matched to a Kmart bright pink iddy bitty bin. True story!”
“I resprayed it and added satin black features with a specifically molded reverse cowl and Street Pro Wheels to finish it off. It looks tough, it sounds tough, and it always gets a thumbs up and the “hey charger” from the generation mimicking the tv commercial from the 70’s. I love it!”
However, the Valiant is not just pleasing to the eye. As a Genuine VJ XL model (of which 3323 were built), it has been decoded and dated to the 16th November 1973. It was then on sold on the 29th of November the same year by dealer no.V101 (on Collins street in Melbourne). With a center Armrest and 13 transistor radio optioned.
Paula continues with her favourite features. “The motor is a 360 with headers. It has ported roller rockers, a solid cam, 904 gearbox, a 750 carby, intake manifold, stage two shift kit with a dominator converter, 3000 hi-stall, trans cooler and swaybar plus heaps of other stuff too.” Paula, who loves going into Rare Spares for all of the hard-to-get bits often refers others to the stores – “I admire how Rare Spares are continuously working in R&D, introducing new parts for all cars and making it so easy for us to restore our classics.”
Paula has attended MotorEx quite a number of times throughout the years. “I love the variety of cars. I particularly admire those ‘next level’ builds… some call them ‘Trailer Queens’, but I call them sculptures and works of art. Mind blowing! I admire the extreme passion and consistent dedication it takes to complete each and every build displayed at the MotorEx events.”
“My favourite times at MotorEx is when I have the Girl Power Crew with me. We have done two MotorExs so far where quite a few of us girls and our classics come and park up at Real Street to display our cars. It’s quite the hit!”.
“My Charger has won a few awards and has had some write ups and features in quite a few mainstream magazines, but I think I’m more recognized for getting the girls involved in the Classic Car scene – why should the boys have all the fun? I do love going to car events, but I go more to catch up with everyone. I don’t go for the trophies but if I do receive one, it’s an unexpected bonus.”
“I run the Northern Gal Car Club Inc. I host quite a few family orientated community events throughout the year. The feedback I get is amazing and that’s what has kept me motivated over the last 10 years. It’s so much fun. I really do like watching attendees catch up with friends, make news ones, network, and have a laugh. All are welcome to attend… including fur babies.”
To keep up to date with Paula and The Northern Gal Car Club Inc. you can find them on most social media platforms. Look for the Rosie the Riveter caricature!