Holden Commodore (VK)
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1856 |
| Headquarters | Port Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Automobiles, including the Holden Commodore (VK) |
The Holden Commodore (VK) represents a mid-size car manufactured by Holden from 1984 until 1986. As the fourth version within the initial generation of the Holden Commodore, it marked the introduction of the upscale Holden Calais (VK) sedan variant.
Overview
Produced from February 1984 through February 1986, the VK series was notable for being the first Commodore to incorporate plastic (polypropylene) bumpers alongside rear quarter windows, resulting in a six-window design crafted by Holden that bore resemblance to the Opel Senator, replacing the earlier four-window configuration. Additional changes encompassed a redesigned front grille and updated dashboard instrumentation, which included a fully digital (vacuum fluorescent display) system specifically for the new Calais luxury model.
The VK’s exterior styling adopted a contemporary and assertive appearance, highlighted by a distinctive grille featuring three prominent horizontal bars supplanting the previous metallic style. Plastic front and rear bumpers and skirts replaced metal guards, while a new rear tail light cluster extended across the back with a black panel dividing it. Internally, instrument clusters transitioned from circular to square shapes. In total, 135,705 VK Commodores were manufactured.
Models
Within the VK lineup, new specification titles were introduced: the Executive became its own model alongside the base SL. Essentially an SL equipped with automatic transmission and power steering, the Executive was aimed at regaining fleet customers lost when Holden replaced the Kingswood with the smaller Commodore. The Berlina took over from the SL/X, while the Holden Calais succeeded the SL/E. Station wagon variants were available in SL, Executive, or Berlina trims, with the limited edition Vacationer badge briefly continuing from the VH Commodore. Performance-focused models included the Commodore SS sedan powered by a high-output 4.9-litre V8 tuned by HDT, alongside limited editions sold through HDT dealers: LM 5000, SS Group 3, SS Group A (502 units), and Calais Director sedans.
Engines
The VK offered two versions of a 5.0-litre Holden V8 engine, which was replaced by a 4.9-litre V8 in 1985 to meet Group A racing regulations, along with two variants of a 3.3-litre Black straight-six engine—an enhanced version of the earlier Blue six-cylinder featuring improved power and efficiency. Most VK models were equipped standard with the 3.3 EST carburettor engine, whereas the Calais sedan was fitted with a more sophisticated 3.3 EFI fuel-injection system. EFI was initially unavailable for station wagons due to incomplete modifications to the fuel tank necessary for EFI’s electric fuel pump system; this caused an approximate eight-month delay in availability.
Engines discontinued for VK included the 2.85-litre six-cylinder and 4.2-litre V8 units. However, Holden’s 1.9-litre Starfire inline-four was offered exclusively in New Zealand market VKs.
New Zealand assembly
General Motors New Zealand assembled the VK at their Trentham facility near Wellington.
While closely mirroring Australian models, New Zealand VKs featured smoke-tinted taillights, lacked emissions control equipment, and offered a Holden Starfire-powered four-cylinder variant equipped with 13-inch wheels and a smaller wheel stud pattern. Despite being promoted as economical, this four-cylinder often consumed more fuel than six-cylinder versions when fully loaded but achieved considerable market success in New Zealand unlike in Australia.
Below the Calais trim level, New Zealand exclusively marketed an upscale Commodore Royale, available with either four- or six-cylinder engines. Luxury appointments included air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, and a five-speed manual gearbox.
Toward the conclusion of VK production, a limited edition run of 120 "GTS" sedans was produced featuring a 3.3 EFI engine, "Midnight Blue" paint complemented by silver bumpers, 15-inch alloy wheels matching Royale/Calais models, unique "Cerulean Blue" interiors utilizing cloth from the VK SS Group A, black rubber boot spoiler, black Momo steering wheel, GTS badging, and red pinstriping. Some units were also equipped with FE2 suspension.
SS Group A
The Commodore SS Group A was a homologation model engineered by Holden's official tuner, initially the Holden Dealer Team, to participate in Group A touring car competitions. According to FISA regulations, at least 5,000 base units (including 1,000 in Australia) and 500 evolution variants had to be manufactured to homologate a race vehicle. Group A regulations governed prominent series such as the Australian Touring Car Championship, New Zealand Touring Car Championship, British Touring Car Championship, among others during the 1980s and 1990s.
Manufactured from 1985 through 1992, beginning with the VK series, these vehicles have become highly sought-after collectibles within the Holden community. Additionally, between August 1984 and early 1985, a less powerful 5044 cc SS Group Three variant was produced.
Distinctively, unlike other Holden Dealer Team and Holden Special Vehicles models, these cars carried the Holden badge alone rather than HDT or HSV branding.
The initial iteration (March 1985 – February 1986) signified Holden’s renewed commitment to Group A racing. Offered exclusively in blue to reflect the Holden Dealer Team’s sponsor Mobil, it earned the nickname "Blue Meanie." Although production started early in 1985, delays in parts supply prevented reaching the mandatory 500-unit threshold by August, which was necessary for racing eligibility that year. Consequently, the VK SS Group A gained eligibility from January 1, 1986, with 502 units distributed solely through HDT-affiliated dealerships.
In terms of appearance, the VK Group A SS distinguished itself with a rear spoiler, an enlarged front air dam, and a more aggressive grille compared to standard VK Commodores. Mechanical enhancements included a double-row timing chain to improve reliability issues seen previously, reinforced conrods, and strengthened suspension mounting points.
The road-legal Group A SS was powered by a 4.9-litre engine producing at 5200 rpm and achieving a top speed of . Transmission choices included a four-speed M21 manual gearbox or an optional five-speed Getrag T5. Although not officially offered with the VK Group A model, some cars were fitted with T5 gearboxes through special arrangements at HDT’s Bertie Street workshop or authorized dealers. Assembly took place at Dandenong, Victoria under Holden’s supervision with modifications performed at Bertie Street in Port Melbourne, Victoria.
Touring Cars
The VK Group A SS Commodore was intended for competition in 1985; however, parts shortages postponed its debut until January 1986. Peter Brock remarked that their personal SS Group A road vehicles outperformed and were more dependable than the 1985 race cars.
Under the preceding Group C rules (1984), HDT’s VK Commodores generated over and reached speeds of on Conrod Straight, whereas the 1985 Group A cars managed approximately and , resulting in lap times that were over eight seconds slower.
In early 1986, Brock teamed with new co-driver Allan Moffat to claim victory at the Nissan Mobil 500 in Wellington. Their teammates John Harvey and Neal Lowe won the Pukekohe 500. These successes were achieved using upgraded Bathurst Commodores from 1985 rather than newly built SS Group A models.
HDT entered two fresh vehicles into the 1986 FIA Touring Car Championship held in Europe—one driven by Brock and Moffat with another as a backup. Privateers Allan Grice and Graeme Bailey also participated; notably, Grice set a touring car lap record at Hockenheim that remained unbeaten until 2000. At the Spa 24 Hours event, despite facing mechanical setbacks including blown head gaskets and lost wheels, HDT and Roadways teams secured the prestigious Kings Cup award.
Within Australia, the Group A Commodore gained popularity among private entrants during the 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), led by HDT alongside New Zealand driver Graeme Crosby. Larry Perkins launched Perkins Engineering to supply customer Commodores. Brock achieved the first Australian victory for this model at Surfers Paradise and finished fourth overall in the ATCC despite commitments in Europe.
Endurance triumphs followed when Grice and Bailey won the 1986 James Hardie 1000 at Bathurst. Grice became the first driver to lap Mt. Panorama circuit faster than in a Group A car during qualifying. He also secured victory in the Group A support race at the 1986 Australian Grand Prix, part of the South Pacific Touring Car Championship.
HDT and Roadways competed at Japan’s Fuji Speedway during the 1986 Fuji 500; Brock and Moffat retired after completing 94 laps while Grice and Crosby finished fifth despite losing a wheel late in the race. Brock briefly challenged Tom Walkinshaw Racing’s Jaguar XJ-S V12s for the lead.
Although leading teams transitioned to the VL Commodore early in 1987, some privateers like Larry Perkins continued campaigning VK models due to budget limitations. The VK remained active in ATCC competition until 1990. Sydney privateer Trevor Ashby recorded the final significant victory for the VK Group A SS by winning Heat 2 of Round 1 of the 1987 AMSCAR series at Amaroo Park.
AUSCAR
The VK Commodore, featuring the SS Group A bodywork with its distinctive single-slot front grille, was a favored vehicle in Bob Jane's AUSCAR competition, which commenced in 1987. According to AUSCAR regulations, Commodores were equipped with either the 5.0-litre Holden V8 engine or the Group A-developed 4.9-litre V8, although any reduction in engine displacement did not influence the minimum weight standards. A significant highlight was when 18-year-old Terri Sawyer claimed victory in the first AUSCAR 200 at Melbourne’s $54 million Calder Park Thunderdome, piloting a VK Commodore.
Endurance racing
The VK Commodore achieved two wins in the prestigious Bathurst 1000 event: first in 1984 under the Group C regulations with drivers Peter Brock and Larry Perkins, and again in 1986 competing under Group A rules with Allan Grice and Graeme Bailey. In addition to Bathurst, Brock secured triumphs at the 1984 Castrol 500 held at Sandown alongside Perkins, as well as the Motorcraft 300 at Surfers Paradise International Raceway later that same year.
Within Group A racing, Brock and Allan Moffat introduced the SS model by capturing victory at the 1986 Wellington 500 street race in New Zealand. Meanwhile, teammates John Harvey and Neal Lowe won the 1986 Pukekohe 500. Brock and Moffat replicated their Wellington success in 1987, and the VK’s final endurance triumph occurred when Perkins partnered with Formula One World Champion Denny Hulme to win the 1987 Pukekohe 500.