Holden VL Commodore
Encyclopedia
The Holden VL Commodore and Calais were a range of mid-sized cars
manufactured between 1986 and 1988 by the General Motors
(GM) Australia
n arm, Holden
. The VL series was the final update of the first generation Holden Commodore
architecture, heralding imported straight-six engines from Nissan of Japan
.
The total build number for the VLs was 151,801.
_02.jpg)
The VL Commodore represented a substantial makeover of the VK
, and would be the last of the mid-size
Commodores. The engineers sought to soften the lines of the VL, rounding off the panels and introducing a small tail spoiler
built into the boot
lid.
For the VL, Holden implemented rectangular headlamp
s as opposed to the square-type fitted to earlier models. For the top-of-the-range Calais model, the design incorporated the use of semi-retracting headlight covers, the first for a production Holden. This had been previously attempted on the never released Torana GTR-X which featured fully retractable headlights. Interestingly the Calais covered headlights that were the same as the regular VL Commodore headlights.
Major changes were made to the dashboard
with new instruments, touch switches mounted either side controlling wipers, rear window demister
, electric antenna (Berlina/Calais), and the headlight switch moved from the right-hand dash side to the indicator stalk. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning
control graphics changed slightly, the center console offered more storage with new transmission shifter
and surround.
_03.jpg)
A comprehensive makeover for the VK Black engine was completely dropped in favour of an imported 3.0 litre RB30E straight-six unit designed and manufactured by Nissan
in Japan
. This featured an overhead camshaft
(OHC) and an alloy
cylinder head
. The reason for the Nissan-Holden combination was because all cars manufactured in Australia from 1 January 1986 had to run on unleaded 91 octane fuel
. The previous six-cylinder Black motor was unable to do this, as was the V8
, hence the later release date of this engine. As the tooling for the Holden straight-six engine had become worn by this stage, it also was not considered cost-effective to adapt the design to unleaded petrol. The new engines included features such as an Electronic Combustion Control System (ECCS) and a ram-tuned intake manifold.
Six months into its release a 150 kW turbocharged
RB30ET version of the Nissan engine was released. The Garrett
turbo unit was fitted inside a water-cooled housing to ensure longevity. The engine received new piston
s which lowered the compression ratio
, while an updated camshaft
was used to reduce overlap. The allure of the Commodore was quickly established particularly when the top speed was 200 kilometre per hour and then extended to 220 kilometre per hour with the addition of the Garret turbocharger. In addition stopping power for the turbo models was upgraded to larger brakes and Girlock finned alloy front calipers
. The Australian Police
commissioned the turbocharged models as their "interceptor" Highway Pursuit cars of choice. These interceptors were denoted by "BT1" in the model code on the Body & Option plate attached to the firewall.
GM also sourced a Nissan electronic four-speed automatic
. Those that opted for a manual
, received a Holden five-speed transmission,
The New Zealand
assembled six-cylinder VLs had the 2.0 litre Nissan RB20 engine
six-cylinder available as an option in addition to the 3.0 litre models. The engine was mated with the Japanese Jatco
four-speed automatic
; the 5.0 litre (4,987 cc) V8 remained available in carbureted
form with the old three-speed automatic. New Zealand
models were not saddled with emission controls.
rather than adapting it to unleaded petrol. This was partly in response to Ford Australia's 1983 decision to drop the V8 in its competing Falcon
model. However public outcry spearheaded by a media-driven "V8s 'til 98" campaign persuaded Holden to continue production. Eventually with continual developments, the Holden V8
lasted until 1999, before being replaced by the imported GM LS1 V8 engine.
The 5.0 litre V8 was released in October 1986, it still featured the familiar Rochester four-barrel carburettor, not electronic fuel injection
(EFI). Now adapted to unleaded fuel, this V8 5.0 litre was boasting both more power and torque
than its predecessor, now at 122 kW with 323 newton metres (238.2 ft·lbf). GM had fitted the V8 with larger valves carried over from the previous Group A engine.
EFI did however, make its V8 debut in the VL Commodore in the evolution version of the Group A touring car
homologation special, the SS Group A SV (see below). Commonly known as "The Walkinshaw", the SS Group A SV also marked Holden Special Vehicles
(HSV) taking over as Holden's official performance car partner. With the 150 kW 3.0 litre turbocharged engine being the performance flagship, Holden marketed the V8 as ideal for towing due to its low-down torque characteristics. The V8 engine was mated with either the existing three-speed TriMatic automatic, or the five-speed Borg-Warner T-5 manual.
_04.jpg)
Introduced in Commodore SL, Executive and Berlina variants, the VL vehicle line also included a luxury Calais model. However, this was known as the "Holden Calais" as opposed to the "Holden Commodore Calais". A limited number of Calais station wagon
s (198 ever produced) were offered from March 1988 through to production end in August of the same year. Holden released the Calais wagon late in the VL's model cycle only to reduce their excessive stock pile of wagon bodies. These wagon-bodied Calais offered the same engine options available to sedan buyers: the standard straight-six, the turbocharged version of the same and the V8, and were specified with the same equipment fitted to the Calais sedan.
The V8-powered models were introduced in October 1986. The following year, a special edition
Commodore Vacationer was offered. To commemorate the 1988 Australian Bicentenary
, an aptly named "Series 200" sedan was briefly offered from March 1988. The Series 200 was issued with two-tone champagne paintwork, and featured air conditioning, power steering
, electric windows
, central locking among other features over the base-line Commodore SL. Only the naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine was fitted to this model.
’s HDT Special Vehicles organisation. 500 examples were built, all of them in "Permanent Red", by Holden to allow the model to be homologated for Group A Touring Car racing
.
The SS Group A was twice a winner during the inaugural World Touring Car Championship
in 1987. Allan Moffat
and John Harvey drove their Rothmans sponsored Commodore to victory in the very first race of the championship at Monza
in Italy
. Initially finishing 7th on the road, the pair were declared winners after the entire BMW Motorsport crew running the new BMW M3's that finished the race 1-6 were disqualified for running 80kg underweight thanks to the use of carbon fibre body panels. Moffat and Harvey would later go on to finish a brilliant 4th at the Spa 24 Hours
on the famous Spa-Francorchamps
circuit in Belgium
.
The HDT spec Commodore's second win in the 1987 WTCC was at the 1987 James Hardie 1000
at Bathurst
. Peter Brock and his HDT had a well publicised split with Holden in early 1987 which saw the factory stop all support for the race team. Running as a privateer for the first time since 1977, Brock finished 3rd on the road driving with Peter McLeod
and David Parsons in the teams second car (#10) after his own car failed on lap 34. The two Ford Texaco Racing Team Ford Sierra RS500's that finished 1st and 2nd were eventually disqualified in February 1988 for illegal bodywork (wheel arches that were 1 size too big) and Brock's HDT P/L were declared winners giving the HDT spec VL Group A SS Commodore two wins from the 11 race WTCC.
_02.jpg)
The SS Group A was followed in March 1988 by the fuel injected Commodore SS Group A SV which was produced for Holden by Holden Special Vehicles
to replace the SS Group A as Holden’s homologated Group A race car. 750 examples were built.
In motorsport the Walkinshaw spec VL Group A SS took time to be a success. Up against the lighter and more powerful Ford Sierra RS500's and Nissan Skyline HR31 GTS-R's the car was easily outgunned in the ATCC and also struggled in longer distance races for the same reason, its general lack of pace not helped by the non-appearance of the factory Holden Racing Team
in the 1989 ATCC
. This changed when Englishman
Win Percy
was sent to Australia in 1990 to run the team on order from team owner Tom Walkinshaw
. After constant development during the season both HRT and the Larry Perkins
cars were running faster than ever, as evidenced by their qualifying 6th (HRT) and 7th (Perkins) at the 1990 Tooheys 1000
at Bathurst. Percy and Allan Grice
pulled off what is often referred to as Holden's greatest win at Bathurst when they outlasted the field to win by less than a lap.
Perkins and co-driver Tomas Mezera
went on to win the 1990 Nissan 500
at Eastern Creek
driving a Group A SV and Perkins also went on to win the 1992 Sandown 500
in his VL in what was the last major win for the model in Group A Touring Car racing.
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
manufactured between 1986 and 1988 by the General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
(GM) Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n arm, Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
. The VL series was the final update of the first generation Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
architecture, heralding imported straight-six engines from Nissan of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
The total build number for the VLs was 151,801.
Design
Holden VK Commodore
The Holden VK Commodore was introduced in 1984 and replaced the VH. It was the first Commodore to have plastic bumpers and introduced rear quarter windows for a six-window design as opposed to the four-window design on previous Commodore models...
, and would be the last of the mid-size
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
Commodores. The engineers sought to soften the lines of the VL, rounding off the panels and introducing a small tail spoiler
Spoiler (automotive)
A spoiler is an automotive aerodynamic device whose intended design function is to 'spoil' unfavorable air movement across a body of a vehicle in motion. Spoilers on the front of a vehicle are often called air dams, because in addition to directing air flow they also reduce the amount of air...
built into the boot
Trunk (automobile)
The trunk or boot of an automobile or car is the vehicle's main storage, luggage, or cargo compartment. Trunk is used in North American English and Jamaican English; boot is used elsewhere in the English speaking world. Trunk is also primarily used in many non-English speaking regions, such as...
lid.
For the VL, Holden implemented rectangular headlamp
Headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car or a motorcycle, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as darkness or precipitation. Headlamp performance has steadily improved throughout the automobile age, spurred by...
s as opposed to the square-type fitted to earlier models. For the top-of-the-range Calais model, the design incorporated the use of semi-retracting headlight covers, the first for a production Holden. This had been previously attempted on the never released Torana GTR-X which featured fully retractable headlights. Interestingly the Calais covered headlights that were the same as the regular VL Commodore headlights.
Major changes were made to the dashboard
Dashboard
A dashboard is a control panel placed in front of the driver of an automobile, housing instrumentation and controls for operation of the vehicle....
with new instruments, touch switches mounted either side controlling wipers, rear window demister
Demister
Demister may refer to:* Demister , a product used to clear a scuba mask of "fog"* Demister , a device that removes entrained liquid droplets from a gas stream...
, electric antenna (Berlina/Calais), and the headlight switch moved from the right-hand dash side to the indicator stalk. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning
HVAC
HVAC refers to technology of indoor or automotive environmental comfort. HVAC system design is a major subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer...
control graphics changed slightly, the center console offered more storage with new transmission shifter
Gear stick
A gear stick is the lever used to change gear in a vehicle, such as an automobile, with manual transmission or several common forms of automatic transmission.The device is used to change gear; in a manual transmission vehicle this will normally be done whilst depressing...
and surround.
Straight-six engine
Nissan Motors
, usually shortened to Nissan , is a multinational automaker headquartered in Japan. It was a core member of the Nissan Group, but has become more independent after its restructuring under Carlos Ghosn ....
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. This featured an overhead camshaft
Overhead camshaft
Overhead cam valvetrain configurations place the engine camshaft within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drive the valves or lifters in a more direct manner compared to overhead valves and pushrods...
(OHC) and an alloy
Alloy
An alloy is a mixture or metallic solid solution composed of two or more elements. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may or may not be homogeneous in distribution, depending on thermal history...
cylinder head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
. The reason for the Nissan-Holden combination was because all cars manufactured in Australia from 1 January 1986 had to run on unleaded 91 octane fuel
Octane rating
Octane rating or octane number is a standard measure of the anti-knock properties of a motor or aviation fuel. The higher the octane number, the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating...
. The previous six-cylinder Black motor was unable to do this, as was the V8
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, hence the later release date of this engine. As the tooling for the Holden straight-six engine had become worn by this stage, it also was not considered cost-effective to adapt the design to unleaded petrol. The new engines included features such as an Electronic Combustion Control System (ECCS) and a ram-tuned intake manifold.
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
RB30ET version of the Nissan engine was released. The Garrett
Garrett AiResearch
Garrett AiResearch was a manufacturer of turboprop engines and turbochargers, and a pioneer in numerous aerospace technologies. It was previously known as Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, Garrett Supply Company, AiResearch Manufacturing Company, or simply AiResearch...
turbo unit was fitted inside a water-cooled housing to ensure longevity. The engine received new piston
Piston
A piston is a component of reciprocating engines, reciprocating pumps, gas compressors and pneumatic cylinders, among other similar mechanisms. It is the moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tight by piston rings. In an engine, its purpose is to transfer force from...
s which lowered the compression ratio
Compression ratio
The 'compression ratio' of an internal-combustion engine or external combustion engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity...
, while an updated camshaft
Camshaft
A camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part.-History:An early cam was built into Hellenistic water-driven automata from the 3rd century BC. The camshaft was later described in Iraq by Al-Jazari in 1206. He employed it as part of his automata,...
was used to reduce overlap. The allure of the Commodore was quickly established particularly when the top speed was 200 kilometre per hour and then extended to 220 kilometre per hour with the addition of the Garret turbocharger. In addition stopping power for the turbo models was upgraded to larger brakes and Girlock finned alloy front calipers
Disc brake
The disc brake or disk brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel while it is in motion.A brake disc is usually made of cast iron, but may in some cases be made of composites such as reinforced carbon–carbon or ceramic matrix composites. This is connected to the wheel and/or...
. The Australian Police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
commissioned the turbocharged models as their "interceptor" Highway Pursuit cars of choice. These interceptors were denoted by "BT1" in the model code on the Body & Option plate attached to the firewall.
GM also sourced a Nissan electronic four-speed automatic
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. Those that opted for a manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
, received a Holden five-speed transmission,
The New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
assembled six-cylinder VLs had the 2.0 litre Nissan RB20 engine
Nissan RB engine
The RB engine is a 2.0–3.0 L straight-6 four-stroke petrol/gasoline engine from Nissan produced from 1980-2004. A special limited edition the LMRB26 was also built during this time by General Motors in Australia....
six-cylinder available as an option in addition to the 3.0 litre models. The engine was mated with the Japanese Jatco
Jatco
JATCO is a subsidiary of Nissan which manufactures automatic transmissions for automobiles. Originally, Mazda was also a partner.-History:...
four-speed automatic
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
; the 5.0 litre (4,987 cc) V8 remained available in carbureted
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
form with the old three-speed automatic. New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
models were not saddled with emission controls.
V8 engine
Previously, Holden had considered discontinuing their V8 engineHolden V8 engine
The Holden V8 is an overhead valve V8 engine which was produced by the Australian General Motors subsidiary Holden between 1969 and 2000. The engine was used initially in the Kingswood and Monaro model ranges; it was later utilised in the Torana and Commodore ranges...
rather than adapting it to unleaded petrol. This was partly in response to Ford Australia's 1983 decision to drop the V8 in its competing Falcon
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
model. However public outcry spearheaded by a media-driven "V8s 'til 98" campaign persuaded Holden to continue production. Eventually with continual developments, the Holden V8
Holden V8 engine
The Holden V8 is an overhead valve V8 engine which was produced by the Australian General Motors subsidiary Holden between 1969 and 2000. The engine was used initially in the Kingswood and Monaro model ranges; it was later utilised in the Torana and Commodore ranges...
lasted until 1999, before being replaced by the imported GM LS1 V8 engine.
The 5.0 litre V8 was released in October 1986, it still featured the familiar Rochester four-barrel carburettor, not electronic fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
(EFI). Now adapted to unleaded fuel, this V8 5.0 litre was boasting both more power and torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
than its predecessor, now at 122 kW with 323 newton metres (238.2 ft·lbf). GM had fitted the V8 with larger valves carried over from the previous Group A engine.
EFI did however, make its V8 debut in the VL Commodore in the evolution version of the Group A touring car
Group A
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
homologation special, the SS Group A SV (see below). Commonly known as "The Walkinshaw", the SS Group A SV also marked Holden Special Vehicles
Holden Special Vehicles
Holden Special Vehicles is the officially designated performance vehicle partner of Australian automobile manufacturer Holden. Established in 1987 and based in Clayton, Victoria, the company modifies Holden models such as the Commodore, Caprice and Ute and markets them under the HSV brandname.-...
(HSV) taking over as Holden's official performance car partner. With the 150 kW 3.0 litre turbocharged engine being the performance flagship, Holden marketed the V8 as ideal for towing due to its low-down torque characteristics. The V8 engine was mated with either the existing three-speed TriMatic automatic, or the five-speed Borg-Warner T-5 manual.
Specification levels
| Colour range (expands) |
|---|
| Alpine White, Asteroid (silver) |
| Silver Slate (medium grey – 1986 only) |
| Sandalwood (cream – 1986–1987) |
| Mink (cream – 1988 only) |
| White Gold (gold – 1986 only) |
| Platinum Gold (champagne – 1988 only) |
| Corniche (copper – 1986 only) |
| Kimberley Bronze (bronze – 1987 only) |
| Tuxedo Black (black – 1988 only, special order) |
| Maranello Red, Madeira (non-metallic burgundy – 1986 only) |
| Venetian Red (burgundy – 1987 only) |
| Cardinal Red (burgundy – 1988 only) |
| Wild Mulberry (burgundy with charcoal accents – 1988 only) |
| Burnt Orange (orange – 1986 only) |
| Butternut (yellow – 1986 only) |
| Everglade (light metallic green – 1986 only) |
| Pacific Blue (light blue – 1986 only) |
| Morning Blue (light blue – 1987 only) |
| Ice Blue (light blue – 1988 only) |
| Marlin Blue (medium blue – 1988 only) |
| Evening Blue (royal blue – 1986 only) |
| Eucumbene Blue (metallic royal blue – 1986–1987) |
| Imperial Blue (dark royal blue – 1988 only) |
| Medium Mulberry (mauve with charcoal accents – 1987 only) |
Introduced in Commodore SL, Executive and Berlina variants, the VL vehicle line also included a luxury Calais model. However, this was known as the "Holden Calais" as opposed to the "Holden Commodore Calais". A limited number of Calais station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
s (198 ever produced) were offered from March 1988 through to production end in August of the same year. Holden released the Calais wagon late in the VL's model cycle only to reduce their excessive stock pile of wagon bodies. These wagon-bodied Calais offered the same engine options available to sedan buyers: the standard straight-six, the turbocharged version of the same and the V8, and were specified with the same equipment fitted to the Calais sedan.
The V8-powered models were introduced in October 1986. The following year, a special edition
Special edition
The terms special edition, limited edition and variants such as deluxe edition, collector's edition and others, are used as a marketing incentive for various kinds of products, originally published products related to the arts, such as books, prints or recorded music and films, but now including...
Commodore Vacationer was offered. To commemorate the 1988 Australian Bicentenary
Australian Bicentenary
The bicentenary of Australia was celebrated in 1970 on the 200th anniversary of Captain James Cook landing and claiming the land, and again in 1988 to celebrate 200 years of permanent European settlement.-1970:...
, an aptly named "Series 200" sedan was briefly offered from March 1988. The Series 200 was issued with two-tone champagne paintwork, and featured air conditioning, power steering
Power steering
Power steering helps drivers steer vehicles by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel.Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver needs to provide only modest effort regardless of conditions. Power steering helps considerably when a...
, electric windows
Power window
Power windows or electric windows as well as electric or power window lifts are automobile windows which can be raised and lowered by depressing a button or switch, as opposed to using a hand-turned crank handle.- History :Packard introduced the first power windows in the 1940 Packard...
, central locking among other features over the base-line Commodore SL. Only the naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine was fitted to this model.
Commodore SS Group A
November 1986 saw the introduction of the Commodore SS Group A which was developed from the Commodore SL by Peter BrockPeter Brock
Peter Geoffrey Brock, AM otherwise known as "Peter Perfect", "The King of the Mountain" or simply as "Brocky" was one of Australia's best-known and most successful motor racing drivers. Brock was most often associated with Holden for almost 40 years, although he raced vehicles of other...
’s HDT Special Vehicles organisation. 500 examples were built, all of them in "Permanent Red", by Holden to allow the model to be homologated for Group A Touring Car racing
Group A
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
.
The SS Group A was twice a winner during the inaugural World Touring Car Championship
World Touring Car Championship
For the video game, known as World Touring Car Championship in Japan, see TOCA World Touring CarsThe FIA World Touring Car Championship is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA.-History:...
in 1987. Allan Moffat
Allan Moffat
Allan George Moffat, OBE is an Australian racing driver known for his four wins in the Australian Touring Car Championship, six wins in the Sandown 500 and his four wins in the Bathurst 1000...
and John Harvey drove their Rothmans sponsored Commodore to victory in the very first race of the championship at Monza
Autodromo Nazionale Monza
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a race track located near the town of Monza, north of Milan, in Italy. The circuit's biggest event is the Formula One Italian Grand Prix, which has been hosted there since the sport's inception....
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Initially finishing 7th on the road, the pair were declared winners after the entire BMW Motorsport crew running the new BMW M3's that finished the race 1-6 were disqualified for running 80kg underweight thanks to the use of carbon fibre body panels. Moffat and Harvey would later go on to finish a brilliant 4th at the Spa 24 Hours
Spa 24 Hours
The Total 24 Hours of Spa is an endurance racing event held annually in Belgium at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Conceived by Jules de Their and Henri Langlois Van Ophem just one year after the first 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race was run under the auspices of the Royal Automobile Club Belgium...
on the famous Spa-Francorchamps
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its...
circuit in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.
The HDT spec Commodore's second win in the 1987 WTCC was at the 1987 James Hardie 1000
1987 James Hardie 1000
The 1987 James Hardie 1000 was the eighth round of the inaugural World Touring Car Championship, the first round to be held in the southern hemisphere. The race was held for cars eligible for Group A touring car regulations. It was the 25th anniversary of the original touring car endurance race...
at Bathurst
Bathurst, New South Wales
-CBD and suburbs:Bathurst's CBD is located on William, George, Howick, Russell, and Durham Streets. The CBD is approximately 25 hectares and surrounds two city blocks. Within this block layout is banking, government services, shopping centres, retail shops, a park* and monuments...
. Peter Brock and his HDT had a well publicised split with Holden in early 1987 which saw the factory stop all support for the race team. Running as a privateer for the first time since 1977, Brock finished 3rd on the road driving with Peter McLeod
Peter McLeod
Peter Gerard McLeod , was an Australian racing driver, best known as co-winner of the 1987 James Hardie 1000 at Bathurst and for driving the distinctive yellow and black Slick 50 Mazda RX-7 Group C touring car during the early to mid 1980's.-Group C Touring Cars:McLeod began his racing career in...
and David Parsons in the teams second car (#10) after his own car failed on lap 34. The two Ford Texaco Racing Team Ford Sierra RS500's that finished 1st and 2nd were eventually disqualified in February 1988 for illegal bodywork (wheel arches that were 1 size too big) and Brock's HDT P/L were declared winners giving the HDT spec VL Group A SS Commodore two wins from the 11 race WTCC.
Commodore SS Group A SV
Holden Special Vehicles
Holden Special Vehicles is the officially designated performance vehicle partner of Australian automobile manufacturer Holden. Established in 1987 and based in Clayton, Victoria, the company modifies Holden models such as the Commodore, Caprice and Ute and markets them under the HSV brandname.-...
to replace the SS Group A as Holden’s homologated Group A race car. 750 examples were built.
In motorsport the Walkinshaw spec VL Group A SS took time to be a success. Up against the lighter and more powerful Ford Sierra RS500's and Nissan Skyline HR31 GTS-R's the car was easily outgunned in the ATCC and also struggled in longer distance races for the same reason, its general lack of pace not helped by the non-appearance of the factory Holden Racing Team
Holden Racing Team
The Holden Racing Team is a Melbourne based motor racing team. HRT is the most successful V8 Supercar racing team in the history of the category, having won the drivers championship six times, and the series signature race the Bathurst 1000 seven times...
in the 1989 ATCC
1989 Australian Touring Car Championship
The 1989 Shell Ultra Australian Touring Car Championship was the 30th running of the Australian Touring Car Championship. It began on 5 March 1989 at Amaroo Park and ended on 9 July at Oran Park Raceway after eight rounds...
. This changed when Englishman
Englishman
Englishman may refer to:*English people*Grey Partridge*Jason Englishman, Canadian rock music singer and guitarist*Jenny-Bea Englishman, real name of the Canadien singer Esthero*Erald Briscoe, reggae musician who records under the name Englishman...
Win Percy
Win Percy
Winston "Win" Percy is a former motor racing driver from England. He competed in many classes of motorsport during his long career, but is perhaps most famous as one of the greats of touring car racing. Joe Saward of Autosport magazine once described him as being "often regarded as the World's...
was sent to Australia in 1990 to run the team on order from team owner Tom Walkinshaw
Tom Walkinshaw
Tom Walkinshaw was a Scottish racing car driver and the founder of the racing team Tom Walkinshaw Racing...
. After constant development during the season both HRT and the Larry Perkins
Larry Perkins
Larry Clifton Perkins is a former racing driver and V8 Supercar team owner from Australia.-Career:...
cars were running faster than ever, as evidenced by their qualifying 6th (HRT) and 7th (Perkins) at the 1990 Tooheys 1000
1990 Tooheys 1000
The 1990 Tooheys 1000 was the 31st running of the Bathurst 1000 touring car race. It was held on 30 September 1990 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. The event was open to cars eligible under CAMS Group 3A regulations, commonly known as Group A Touring...
at Bathurst. Percy and Allan Grice
Allan Grice
Allan Maxwell Grice OAM , known to motor-racing fans as Gricey, is an Australian former racing driver and politician, most famous for twice winning the prestigious Bathurst 1000 , and as a privateer driver of a Holden in the Australian Touring Car Championship.Grice also had a successful second...
pulled off what is often referred to as Holden's greatest win at Bathurst when they outlasted the field to win by less than a lap.
Perkins and co-driver Tomas Mezera
Tomas Mezera
Tomas Mezera, born November 5, 1958, in Czechoslovakia and now resides in Queensland, Australia. Mezera is best known as an Australian racing driver. Mezera's sporting career began as a downhill skier in his native Czechoslovakia, before he emigrated to Australia to be a ski instructor.-Formula...
went on to win the 1990 Nissan 500
1990 Nissan 500
The 1990 Nissan 500 was a 500 kilometre touring car race held on November 10, 1990 at Eastern Creek Raceway in Sydney, Australia. The race was held for cars eligible for International Group A touring car regulations for three engine capacity classes...
at Eastern Creek
Eastern Creek Raceway
Eastern Creek International Raceway is a motorsports circuit located on Brabham Drive, Eastern Creek , New South Wales, Australia, adjacent to the Western Sydney International Dragway. It was built and is owned by the New South Wales Government and is operated by the...
driving a Group A SV and Perkins also went on to win the 1992 Sandown 500
1992 Don't Drink Drive Sandown 500
The 1992 Don't Drink Drive Sandown 500 was an endurance motor race open to Group 3A Touring Cars , 1993 Group 3A 5.0 Litre Touring Cars and Group 3E Series Production Cars...
in his VL in what was the last major win for the model in Group A Touring Car racing.