1962 Valiant Signet 200

First spotted parked on the street in Tustin, California, Anthony Giampa Jr. decided this was the car for him...nobody had anything like it! So it was purchased in stock condition for $3000 in 2001... a little old Gramma’s car that we would soon turn into a street outlaw.

This automatic Slant Six 225 was decked, ported and balanced by Performance Engine in Long Beach, CA. Added to the engine compartment was an Edlebrock 4 bbl. 650 cfm carb, Isky Racing cam, Offenhauser intake manifold and valve cover, new pistons - 9.5:1 compression, Manley intake & exhaust valves, Clifford headers and Flowmaster dual exhausts, MSD electronic ignition and Taylor wires, pushing over 250 Horsepower. New Currie 8" Ford rear end with 3:55 gears & Ford 10" drum brakes helped the ‘71 Duster disk brakes up front improve stopping power tremendously. The addition of 14" American Racing rims all around added visual appeal.

Moving this car to Texas temporarily from California meant we had to add a Mattson’s High Performance radiator with built-in trans cooler. Dash panel re-chromed by Mr. G’s in Fort Worth for a reasonable $159, but we had to wait 3 months to get it back. Luxurious amenities include bucket seats with rear seat- mounted ashtrays. Please note that the license plate is an homage to noted Chrysler auto designer Virgil Exner on California plates: "XNR LIVS".

This Valiant has been lauded in Mopar Muscle, Mopar Action and most recently Hemmings Classic Car 2007 September issue "Prominent Plymouths".