A UNIQUE Chrysler Valiant Pacer with a far from sheltered background – left to weather on a Northern Territory cattle station since the ‘80s – is now on the road to restoration.
It was while living in Alice Springs that David Rawnsley heard stories about the distinctive vehicle, left deserted on a nearby property, but he was never able to track it down.
Flicking through the pages of Muscle Car Australia magazine one day, Mr Rawnsley was shocked to come across the 1970 Pacer hardtop.
Mr Rawnsley said he immediately wrote to the publication requesting more information about the vehicle.
“It turned out it was a friend of mine from Alice Springs so he told me where it was located,” he said.
“I spent nine months ringing the cattle station to get permission to go and have a look at it.
“They told me I was able to go and have a look and if I wanted it, I could take it.”
After visiting the rural property, Mr Rawnsley returned three weeks to pick up what remained of the car the damaged vehicle on Christmas Eve, 2013.
“Initially, I was going to buy some mudflaps and doors and cut it in half to put on my wall in my shed,” he said.
“Another mate came out and had a look and told me it was too good to cut up due to not having any rust.
“Everybody told me I should restore it.
“Even though there was only 30 of them made, it was the most common colour.”
Mr Rawnsley said the car had since received national magazine coverage, and was featured in YouTube videos and an American news broadcaster.
Delving into the vehicle’s past, Mr Rawnsley believes the car was originally abandoned in 1985 after it crashed, with the occupants walking away and leaving the damaged car.
“Back then it was just a $300 Valiant with little value so they just walked away,” he said.
“You can see when you look at it, how far the roof was caved in after it rolled over.
“We were able to push it all out and fit the glass back in, I did it all in my home shed.”
Mr Rawnsley said he did his best to keep its rustic features and was lucky enough to find doors and mudguards matching in the same colour.
“I wanted to keep it looking as rough as possible with its original dash and unique style,”
he said. “It was just dumped and people just used it for target practice before there was no much else to shoot in Alice Springs,” he said.
“Its original bonnet was folded in half, but I cut the top of it off and glued it to another bonnet.”
Mr Rawnsley said the car featured an original 245-cubic inch Pacer motor, Pacer threespeed manual transmission, original differential, close ratio gearbox and rare Pacer bucket seats.
“It did not have its original motor, but a friend found it about 20km away from where the car was found,” he said.
“He has it in storage for me in Alice Springs and will eventually send it down for me.
“It is knackered because it has been out in the rain, but it will be good just to keep with the car.”
