Chrysler GC Galant

Sales were improving steadily as Chrysler made the move to the rebodied GC Galant in the middle of 1974.

But some criticised the model’s weight gain, more generic looks (it could easily have been mistaken for a Datsun or Toyota) and fiddly detailing after the clean lines of the previous generation.

The 1.3 Deluxe was gone, replaced by the XL sedan and wagon, the GL sedan and wagon continued, while a new Hardtop pillarless two-door coupe was introduced.

A mildly revised 75kW/137Nm 1.6-litre SOHC four-cylinder engine powered all, mated to either a three-speed auto or four-speed manual gearbox. Sadly the twin-cam units available in Japan were not deemed necessary for Australia.

During this time the Galant faced much stiffer competition from Holden’s TX Gemini, the Datsun 120Y, Ford Escort Mk2 and a revised Toyota Corolla range.