“1962 Plymouth Valiant, Slant 6”
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Very dependable engine in those cars and pretty good fuel economy with the single barrel carburetor.
Growing up we had a Valiant and a Belvedere, both had the 225 Slant 6 engine. We had automatic transmissions in the cars. The Valiant was a pushbutton automatic and the Belvedere was 3 speed auto on the column. We put so many miles on those cars...(I think over 300k each) being handed down to us kids and we beat on those engines and transmissions too.
Frequently replacing ball joints in the front suspension though.
I learned to drive a stick at 11 years old on a 1941 Wyllis Jeep 4 cyl flathead engine and towing a trailer as I was working with a maintenance man (friend of the family) on rental properties in a small town. This was back in 1970/71. He taught me how to drive it and then would let me drive it alone on the properties or even on the road between some of the properties that were close together in the rural area.
1st gen Valiants were known for weak suspension and ball joints. Many NYC cab companies used Bevederes and Dodge Coronets with the slant 6. They weren’t as roomy as the Checker cabs but were cheaper, got better gas mileage and just as reliable.