R&S Valiant Club - Members Cars
I bought my S Series in May 1993 after seeing it in my father’s used car yard. It was in good original condition and had not long been resprayed in its original light grey colour (although it had been done in enamel, and not particularly well). The interior was hidden under torn and faded seat covers which on removal showed the original red vinyl to be in good condition except for being very dirty. Pauls 1962 S Series
As the car was to be used as a daily driver I fitted seatbelts, and a modern sound system and left the cosmetics to be done at a later date. After a few months the constant topping up of the oil got the better of me and I decided to treat the engine to a work over.

Pauls engine bay It turns out this is the original block, still going strons after all these years. With new rings, bearings and seals, a head service and a new radiator I was back cruising on the streets again. As time passed I have gradually gotten around to fixing things up that needed doing.

The front end has been completely renewed (thanks to Peter Morthen who helped me), the torn and split rubber floor mats were thrown away in favour of new charcoal grey carpets, all rust has been cut out and welded (with new panels made up and installed by member John Pulo). Now I remember why I got involved with a club! The seats scrubbed up really well and a few minor tears have been repaired using some original red material obtained from a torn seat at a wreckers yard. And most recently I stripped all the brakes down and replaced all the shoes, fitting new rear drums at the same time.

Over the years the time I spent driving the Valiant have become less and less until it got to the stage I was only driving on club runs, so when the club got our own plates I decided to save the enormous costs of registration and got club plates. Now I get to sit back and enjoy my toy. Future plans include another respray (this time I’ll get it done right) but that’s a long way down the track as finances prevent it at the moment and it doesn’t really clean up too bad. Who knows I may even get another Val and start again.