Way back in 1985, Normandy Automotive unleashed a wonderful little hell-hound, known as the Valient, on the world. So called because designer said it had “…more soul, passion and personality than any car before it.” Unfortunately, due to the gas crunch at the time, sales suffered, epecially in the UK. However, in 1991, after the dust had settled, the Valient lived up to its’ name and clawed its’ way back into the UK’s public eye when it was used in several victories in the World Rally Championship.
Across the Atlantic, the mighty Civic met its’ import tuner match when the Valient power-slid onto the scene thanks to a series of popular movie appearences and a huge underground following. With it’s small, economical, yet powerful 2.0 L engine, that turned out to be impressively easy to modify and a tight and taught body that would make a porn star blush, it quickly became the Civics’ arch nemisis.
Around the world, the Valient became known as the little brother to the Toyota Hilux due to its’ inability to break down and unwillingness to stop. No matter where you took it or how you drove it, it just went on and on. TopGear assumed it was black magic and the souls of dead children that fueld the cars’ apparent immortality.
The Valient was sold in thee styles.
“World Market” which was the most basic and least expensive model came with a 1.2 L DOHC 16V i4 producing 80HP to a single clutch FWD 5-Speed, with an optional turbo charger, the power increased to 111HP.
The “US Market” had 2 models, with both Rear and All Wheel Drive. The 2.0L DOHC 16V i4 which produced 159HP to a 5-speed single clutch transmission and the Turbocharged version which produced 170HP.
The “UK Market” was the Valients’ home turf. The Brits were bless with a 3.0L DOHC 30V i6 producing 245 HP to a 5-speed double clutch RWD or AWD gearbox. Those with more money than sense could buy the Turbo version producting 270HP
