Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer now on sale

Fiat Chrysler Australia has revealed a special-edition version of the Chrysler 300 SRT muscle car to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Australian-made Chrysler Valiant Pacer.

Pictured here in digital artist impressions and inspired by the ‘tribute’ vehicle revealed last month, the Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer will be priced at $69,950 plus on-road costs ($4000 more than the SRT Core on which it’s based) and limited to just 50 units.

The Chrysler SRT Pacer is available to order now, but even though it’s designed to mark five decades since the launch of the original 1969 Valiant Pacer, it won’t be available in dealerships until 2020.

The Pacer nameplate revival will be offered in three colours -- Bright White, Gloss Black and Ceramic Grey – but not the heritage Wild Yellow colour scheme seen on the tribute car via a full body wrap.

It will, however, feature a number of design details that pay homage to the original Pacer, including front and rear decals, 'Pacer 392' exterior badging, a black and red side stripe decals across shoulder including the HEMI logo and special-edition interior badging.

Inside the cabin, the interior is accented with Pacer enhancements including ‘Pacer 392’ sill trims and ‘Pacer’ labelled front floor mats.

Each Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer is individually numbered with a custom build plate on the centre console.

Buyers will also receive an exclusive Pacer keyring and limited-edition framed tribute print featuring their unique build number and an image of an original Valiant Pacer and the Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer tribute in front of the Chrysler Factory in Adelaide.

Chrysler says the 300 SRT Pacer’s unique black and red decal with embedded classic ‘Pacer’ logo on the lower apron is inspired by the Valiant’s black and red horizontal front grill, while the ‘Pacer 392’ badge behind the front wheels references its engine displacement in cubic inches.

Of course, they replace the ‘Pacer 225’ badges of Chrysler Australia’s original Valiant Pacer, which arrived with a 225 cubic-inch (3.7-litre) straight-six and was aimed directly at homegrown V8 performance cars like the Holden Monaro GTS.

Launched with a 130kW slant six matched to a three-speed manual gearbox, the first Chrysler Valiant Pacer was only available in three colours – Wild Yellow, Blue and Red – and featured black exterior side stripes and red highlights on its grille and boot lid.

The mechanical remains unchanged from the SRT Core, including its familiar 350kW/637Nm 6.4-litre V8 and ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

As Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia is keen to point out, the Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer – like the high-output six-cylinder Valiant from which it takes its name – is an affordable rear-drive V8 sedan, and in the fact the last one still available here following the demise of the homegrown Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore.

“Marking the 50th anniversary of the much loved Valiant Pacer, we’re excited to celebrate such a milestone with this limited-edition car – a revival of the Pacer nameplate for Australian motoring enthusiasts,” said Chrysler Australia director of product Guillaume Drelon.

“This is truly a modern take on an Australian classic and we’re excited to bring the Pacer back in this exclusive run of fantastic looking vehicles.”