Tiger Chariot
This issue’s Tiger Chariot is Linzi Chow and her dad Doug Chow’s 1966 Plymouth Valiant named “Lil’ Blue.” Blue is powered by a 225ci Slant Six and paired with a 4-speed manual transmission.
Although a straight 6 does not sound powerful, it has been rebuilt into a hot-rodded, and peppy motor. After milling the heads and block, the motor has a 9.5:1 compression ratio. A bigger camshaft, ported heads with enlarged valves, a 4-barrel carburetor, and a fresh set of headers to give the Slant-6 some kick.
The transmission has been converted from a “three on the tree” to a 4-speed manual with overdrive. The frame connectors have been welded to stiffen the chassis. With stiffer lower control arms, and torsion bars. 1.25-inch thick front, rear anti-sway bars, and Bilstein shocks to give the Valiant a smooth and clean ride.
“It handles like a go-kart and keeps up with modern cars and outperforms many on the curvy mountain roads,” Chow said.
Interior-wise, the Valiant has been cleaned up with some later-model bucket seats and reupholstered.
