'Valiant' was launched as a stand alone brand at the 1959 London Motor Show on a 106.5-inch wheelbase. Styling was by Virgil Exner, and included 2-door and 4-door sedans, a Station Wagon and a hardtop. Dodge launched its over version as the Lancer. It was Chrysler's answer to the new compact cars from Ford and General Motors and its first engines were 2 forms of the brand new slant-six. For 1963 the Valiant shrunk to 106-inches and was reskinned with a much plainer boxy body. A 4.5-litre (273) V8 was now an option, and a new 'Signet' version sat above V100 and V200. 1964 Valiants got full-width grilles. In 1967 a new Valiant went into production on 108-inches only as a 2-door or 4-door sedan with the Barracuda taking over the hardtop duties. From 1974 Plymouth sold the Valiant as a version of the Dodge Dart.