Linzi Chow
Chow's 1966 Plymouth Valiant, "Lil Blue"
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.