One of the features of this year’s Motorclassica show was a class for Holden cars, in recognition of the end of production. Holden contributed significantly to the show, not only by bringing the Hurricane and GTR-X concept cars but also the first model of each Commodore collection from their collection. While skipping the interim facelifts and updates misses much of the Commodore story, it does serve to give a quick overview of the Commodore story.
The first car was a 1978 VB SL/E, the top trim level of the new Commodore, which was a significant down-size compared to the previous full-size HZ Holden, created in response to the 1970s fuel crises. Of course it was a revised Opel, adapted to take the carried-over drivetrains of 2.85L/173ci and 3.3L/202ci inline six cylinders, and 4.2L/253ci and 5.0L/308ci V8s, as well as to cope with Australian roads. One significant difference was MacPherson strut front suspension, instead of the previous Holden’s A /F-body style double A-arm front end, and unlike the Opel, the Australian car also featured rack and pinion steering.
The size reduction was really significant; 151 mm/6” of wheelbase, 139 mm/5.5” of overall length but perhaps most importantly 170 mm/6.7” of width. The payoff was a 122 kg/270 lb reduction in overall weight. Even with thinner doors the width reduction meant that three adults were not able to fit comfortably within the mm/” shoulder width of the rear seat. The outcome was that Ford took market leadership in 1982 and Holden went through some interesting times in the Chinese curse sense of the term.
After some pretty turbulent times, including a bailout from Detroit, 1988 saw the debut of Holden’s second-generation Commodore, the VN. Starting with the 1987 Opel Senator body, GM-H had lengthened and widened the VN to effectively reverse the downsizing. Thanks to crash safety and aerodynamics the overall length was slightly longer than the old Kingswood (at 191″ / 4850 mm), and while exterior width at 70.6” / 1794 mm was still 3.5″ shy, the VN had comparable shoulder room – and now offered a bench seat up front.The dirty secret was that under the new body the platform had the same width – front track was exactly the same as the 1978 car.
The number 1 VN was an SS – the most sporty trim level, not the top of the line Calais. This was significant because at one point it looked like Holden was going to follow Ford in dropping the V8, but a magazine-led “V8’s ‘til ’98” campaign helped them change their mind and keep the faith with the buyers of the sporting Commodores. While the bread-and-butter engine was now the Buick-derived 3800 V6 with 125kW/166hp, the 5.0/304ci V8 came back bearing fuel injection and putting out 165kW/221hp. This was the start of Holden’s resurgence, with other factors such as the return of the Statesman and Ute, the establishment of Holden Special Vehicles and eventually returning to market leadership–not to forget profitability!
The 1997 third-generation VT number 1 representative was curiously a mid-range Berlina. Development of the VT cost three times as much as the VN, and it showed. The Opel Omega B was again lengthened and widened and this time the wheelbase grew the most, to 2,788 mm/109.8”, although the wagon’s wheelbase increase was greater still. The weight increase was even more significant at a whopping 240kg/530 lb more than the VN, although it must be noted that there were some interim steps from the fairly flimsy original VN!
The interior quality took a similar leap as the body structure, while the standard independent rear suspension improved the driving experience. Engines were an evolution of the previous ones, including the supercharged V6 introduced in the VS model. As with previous generations, there were to be significant improvements to come, as well as significant export programs.
The final generation Commodore started with the VE model in 2006, and number 1 car off the line was this SS-V. As is fairly well known, for the VE the Australian engineers started from scratch; they didn’t have much choice because the Opel Omega was not continuing. One choice they did have but rejected was the GM Sigma platform of the 2002 Cadillac CTS, because it was fundamentally too expensive for a mainstream (non-luxury) car. While overall length was constrained at 4.9m/192.7”, width increased 75mm/3” and weight grew with the increased body strength; up by 140kg/306lb. The wheelbase grew significantly – 127mm/5”, however most of this was because the front axle moved forward in a bid to improve weight distribution as well as achieving a more sporty appearance.
There were three different dashboard treatments for the base model, sporting and luxury trim levels, with the SS-V having the option of the coloured dashboard shown above. If orange wasn’t enough, red was available too. As previously, the powertrains were carried over from the past model; the 3.6L HF V6 and 6.0L V8. Again the ute and station wagon variations trailed the sedan, this time by one and two years respectively, although long-wheelbase Statesman debuted concurrently with the short-wheelbase sedan. A significant change was the wagon moved (back) to the short wheelbase.
I neglected to take a photo of the next generation ZB Commodore that was on display because I was interested in old cars not new ones, hence the use of a press release photo here. This of course is the Commodore going back to its roots as an adapted Opel, but this time the Opel in question being the front-wheel drive Insignia. This has caused many brains to explode, and the hairy-chested sports sedan market will be lost to Holden as will the fleet sales that were supporting, and supported by, local manufacture.
I saw one of the new Commodore wagons on the road just before Christmas, and it was noticeably smaller than the VE/VF wagon (which are the same at the rear), in particular the side windows taper inwards. This time the engine options include 2.0L turbo petrol and diesel engines, and the 3.6L V6 – the first time a V8 won’t be available. I think it is the right thing for Holden to carry on with the Commodore name if only from a brand-recognition point of view.
There is much more to tell of course than I can fit in a brief overview of the cars on display as the Commodore went through some pretty significant changes after the launch of each generation, but those stories will have to wait for another time; otherwise delve into the existing coverage on CC linked below!
Further Reading:
Automotive History: Australian Auto Family Trees – The Holden Commodore From A-Z VB-VF
Curbside Classic: 1978-81 Holden VB/VC Commodore – The Beginning of a New Era
Curbside Classic: 1988-91 Holden VN Commodore – Revisiting the Opel Mine
Curbside Classic: 1994-95 Holden VR Caprice – Broughams Down Under (the C-body equivalent if the Commodore was a B-body)
Curbside Classic: 2003-07 Holden Adventra – Territory Enemy (Commodore-based Crossover wagon)
Even as an American, the death of Australian-built Holden’s saddens me, and much more than the deaths of Plymouth and Pontiac. It was time for them to go, as they were reduced to sorry husks of their glorious pasts.
Holden seemed, to me at least, to be better at making “American” cars than America. By this I mean of course, building large RWD sedans intended for 2 to 4 large (6 ft tall) people to travel over long open distances in well air-conditioned comfort. In the heartland (of both the U.S. and I believe Australia) such vehicles make sense.
However, I confess to not having put my money where my mouth is, by not buying a Chevy SS or a GTO when I had the chance. I did buy a 4-door 5-passenger sedan, but not from GM ( or indirectly, Holden).
In any case, thank you for this article. The Holdens really seem appealing to me, handsome, and fast, and I wish I could get one…. now that it’s too late.
By this I mean of course, building large RWD sedans intended for 2 to 4 large (6 ft tall) people to travel over long open distances in well air-conditioned comfort
You do realize there are many sedans that fill this brief perfectly, and significantly better than the Holdens, with the exception of being RWD, which is utterly irrelevant for a modern sedan. A Camry V6 is roomier and does the job perfectly, as well as a number of others. I hate to break it to you but thee really is a good reason these cars croaked both in the US and Australia, nostalgia and rose-colored glasses aside.
Your comment sounds like it was written in 1955, when truly only American sedan could fulfill this brief. That was a very long time ago.
It is exactly the mission which in the US is now fulfilled for many with a full size pickup – either a two door for two people or a crewcab for four (or more). Is it the most efficient way to travel? Likely not, as stated the Camry as just one example is objectively perhaps better but once the utility factor is, uh, factored in I see how it can make sense for many. But if the big engine (or big power anyway) and RWD are a must, then truck (or full-size SUV) it is.
As opposed to our market, it’s interesting that the Australian market did not gravitate to full size pickups on our scale in the same usage pattern. Similar cars being phased out but different directions going forward…
Well, gas over there runs about $4.50 USD per gallon. If it was that in the US, we’d probably see a lot fewer big pickups and more Camrys. 🙂
My point is that a Camry will carry four 6+footers in excellent comfort. I would bet it has more usable interior room than a regular wb Holden sedan, although I suppose I could be proven wrong.
The Corolla is the best selling sedan in Australia, and I guess folks find it quite adequate for their real needs.It’s surprisingly roomy too. How many people actually travel long distances with four people aboard?
But Toyota doesn’t build any cars in Australia. My understanding is that building cars in Australia has become prohibitively expensive.
I never said they did. Nobody builds cars in Australia. Without expensive government incentives, it’s not currently viable to build there.
And here I thought you were blissfully unaware..
Yup the Full size “sedan” is alive and well in the US, they just don’t come with a trunk lid anymore.
Loki,
By this I mean of course, building large RWD sedans intended for 2 to 4 large (6 ft tall) people to travel over long open distances in well air-conditioned comfort. In the heartland (of both the U.S. and I believe Australia) such vehicles make sense.
I am 205cm (~6’8″) tall, and I respectfully disagree with your statement. about needing a larger rear-wheel-drive saloons. Many vehicles smaller and much smaller than ‘large RWD sedans’ are no problem for me. I daresay it has to do more with increasingly larger waist size that is pervasive amongst the Americans.
The smallest I’ve driven comfortably was 1966 Mini Cooper with plenty of room for me. In fact, I had plenty of headroom along with shoulder room. I would have bought the Mini if it wasn’t for the ridiculous price tag and the obvious damage to its floorpan.
My American friend and I hired Audi A1 (smaller than Volkswagen Golf) as well as Volkswagen Up! for our road trips through Austrian alps. He’s same height as I am, and he marvelled at how we could awesomely fit in those ‘tiny’ cars…
My mum has 2009 Volkswagen Polo that I drive once in a while, doing grocery and petrol runs whenever I visit her for the weekend. Really comfortable car with air-conditioning, power steering, automatic gearbox, and such.
My brother owned 1993 Toyota Corolla, and I drove it many times when taking my nephews and niece to the cinemas for fun time with their uncle. It was quicker and more effective to borrow his car with child seats already installed rather than spending fifteen minutes moving the child seats to my car. Corolla, despite its small size, was one of our favourite cars and perfect for long distance drives through Rocky Mountains.
Yeah, I forgot to add that I had done many road trips through America West and Canada in my crapola Chevrolet Celebrity with its puny V6 motor and equally lame air-conditioning. Oh, yes, it had FWD. Nothing special…
By the way, I was pleasantly surprised that I could fit in Lamborghini Aventador and Ferrari GTC4 Lusso! Yah!
It’s exactly so that Holden made the best big US RWD car ever, which for multiple reasons, couldn’t be exported there in numbers; but more importantly, it was not being bought HERE either. A very large impact on the car was the removal of buy Australian requirements for the vast govt purchases, the widespread arrival of novated leasing for what-you-want, (and lack of political will) so buyers here did not put their monies where their mouths were either. Once “local” insistence was lifted, folk found that, say, a small Audi was the same pre-tax lease cost to them as the big Holden they didn’t necessarily want in suburbia – and badge-snobbery is no better here than anywhere else.
The earlier cars are somewhat variable in appeal. The VN, for eg, was not a good car (look at the kit-car interior!), especially in early base-model form, the biggest seller. Stupendous off-line torque from the Buick V6 (fitted so last-minute that the front drive top radiator hose still came from the back of the engine!), skinny 14 inch tyres, pretty flimsy construction, too quick steering (for the chassis) and a poorly located live axle meant many a car met many a tree in a sideways hug.
The first, the VB, was as if from Mars to me as a kid in ’78, beyond belief that this swish device could possibly be the new family Holden. I still really love the looks of it, and having done plenty of miles in them since, I know that a top-line one like the one pictured with 5.0 V8 remains a desirable machine.
As for the new imported Insignia FWD Commodore, who the hell is going to buy it? An indifferent, bland-looking FWD mid-size from a brand that no longer means a darn thing. Holden has no brand equity without local manufacture. Their current ad slogan is the inane “Holden – Let’s Go There”. I believe the unspecified “there” is oblivion, and I’d be seriously surprised to see the brand exist in ten years time.
See my comment above.
“To everything, turn, turn, turn,…”
Everything has its time under the sun. Big RWD main-stream sedans had theirs.
The VN Commodore wasnt a great car BUT the new EA Falcon was a terrible car which made the crude rough Commodore seem better than it really was, yes both improved with each subsequent model but really they had to, The new wide body Camry hit the NZ market in 90/91 in NZ and slightly later in Aussie in world form and was a better car.
You tell em buddy
The VN and VT look like what they are: (over) inflated VBs.
The ZB, on the other hand could be “anycar”, it borders on anonymous.
Holden, and for that matter Australian-built Fords, I thought they would be produced nearly forever.
I absolutely love that the car from Holden’s own collection has sheepskin seat covers fitted to it. A more period accessory I cna’t imagine. I remember when virtually all older cars had them as the seat fabric deteriorated, nowadays you rarely see them.
The new Commodore looks good, the publicity shots make it look a lot larger until I realized I was looking at the Insignia.
In my area it was taking a tee shirt and pulling it over the back of the seat and putting a towel or blanket on the bottom part of the seat. Nothing screams 1980’s and 1990’s like that did.
I’ve always thought of sheepskin seat covers as quintessentially Australian.
Especially Dick Johnson having sheepskin covers in his race car at Bathurst!
I had actually assumed, along with the manufacturing, the entire Holden brand got nixed until now. So GM is now treating Holden the way they treat Buick in the states? Grille engineer a dull as dishwater Opel, complete with Opel’s trademark fake 6th windows? GM dumped Opel last year(good riddance), so this anynomous blob is as much of a dead man walking as anything else. Holden should have gone out with a bang with the VF, instead they’re going out with a whimper.
I don’t know why Holden would disappear. It’s a strong brand in Aus & NZ.
Vauxhall’s range has been identical to Opel’s since the 80s and they’re still around – in fact recently the only difference between what you could buy in a UK Vauxhall dealership and a German Opel dealership is in the UK you could get a high performance Holden Commodore or ute with Vauxhall badges on it.
Also since the 80s, Holden has sold Opels, Toyotas, Daewoos and even Chevy Suburbans with nothing changed but the badges.
It makes sense that it wouldn’t, GM is the king of brand facades after all, but for some reason that was my recollection back when it was announced. They should have changed the model name though IMO, Ford didn’t transfer over the Falcon badge to the Mondeo.
Because the Mondeo was already being sold here and slapping the Falcon name on an existing product (or the following generation of said product) would have made it even more obvious Ford’s Aussie production had shut down.
That being said, I mistook the final Falcon (FG X) for the final Mondeo in traffic the other day. Very similar grilles and headlights.
XR7 at the time my BIL left the primary NZ Ford importers employ the Fusion was being mooted for Australia same car as the Mondeo but an unfamiliar badge. The Ford company private website is an interesting place access denied.
That began in the 60s tonito, Vauxhall Vivas rebadged Torana but with round headlights its not obvious how much rebadging went on if your Australian but in NZ we got everything from GM, Fords are Ford in every market but GMs using local brand names in various foreign markets shows up if the restrictions on imports isnt well controlled and in Aussie GMH had a strangle hold.
You are aware that BOTH Opel and Vauxhall are now owned by Citroen-Peuguot? And have been for a few months. Not sure, but I would assume that affects Holden.
It will affect Holden, but the current/new car will run its course as will its Buick Regal cousin. After that I expect that alternative, related GM platforms will be used.
Most of those Opels got a Holden grille bagde instead of Vauxhall and were sold down under Vectra and Astra and Barina/Corsa all were originally RHD Vauxhalls nee Opel, NZ got Vectras a bit earlier than OZ and they were regrilled on the wharf before shipping to dealers, True badge engineering and as blatant as BMC or Rootes but without the trim differences those British makers attached.
Their lineup now is basically a mix of Opel/Chevrolet/Korean assembled models:
Car lineup:
Spark (like the US)
Braina (Sonic)
Astra (hatch Opel, sedan US Cruze)
Commodore (Opel Insignia)
SUV lineup:
Trax (like the US)
Captiva (enlarged Opel Antara)
Equinox (like the US)
Trailblazer (US Colorado pickup based)
And not one of those is best in class or even near it, and none show up particularly well in reliability surveys. Australia has changed a great deal in the last 15 years. It has become very rich on the back of an enormous mining boom and has had a very large immigration program (25% pop growth over that time!) including a huge contingent of Indian and Chinese people who are (by and large) well-educated. And in the internet age, well-educated folk look at surveys, etc. They’re not going to buy a crappy car when, for the same money, you can buy a reputable brand or even a snob one. I wouldn’t either.
I thought the VN were made under the Opel Senator B instead of the Omega A. Although the Senator also is a stretched Omega. Both seems to have the same body design.
You are correct Gustavo, thanks for the correction. Unlike the previous version where the central body section was basically identical, the sixth window of the Commodore is the same as the Senator rather than the Omega.
That’s fine! For me Holden team made an excellent job making both VN and VT, at least aesthetically. GM should have taken more advantage from the partnership between Opel and other GM divisions like Holden. I’m sure that the VT would give more stamina and stretched the life span of the Omega B in Europe. And that beautiful VN shouldn’t be restricted only to Australia, it could left good memories as a big Chevrolet here in Brazil as well in many markets which used Opel based projects.
It is interesting that the US produced the first ‘world car’ in the Model T, but have rarely done so in the postwar era until relatively recently, while the Japanese and European manufacturers usually sent the same car everywhere – which was not always successful of course!
Have you seen any of the 2010-2011 Chevrolet Omegas over there? I remember seeing that it was a pretty small number of cars that were imported.
And it’s also curious how different both American and non-american car universes became one from another. It reminds me the Maverick in Brazil, while Ford built him for the oil crisis as an economic alternative, it was one of the most gas guzzling in Brazil and a sport and at one point, even a luxury car, as a few people could afford having one here… Or the distance between cars for the same purpose in US and Italy, as the Gremlin and Fiat Cinquecento for instance, both seems to be from different dimensions. The GM situation in Brazil was also curious – they used Germany cars, with the Chevrolet brand and Brazilian people really believed that (and some people still believe) that Omega, Vectra, Astra, Corsa, Opala are American cars! At least today these differences between markets give us a reach material to enjoy the automotive history. I enjoy so much this site because always there is an american model I’ve never seen before.
About the Holden Calais as Chevrolet Omega from 2010-2011, unfortunately there were very few units sold. The import taxes were pretty high, General Motors in Brazil was passing by bad days with slow response to the market and no one could beat the success of the Ford Fusion in that category. GMB tried to replace Omega with Malibu, but with no marketing, no ads, no any attention from GM it was even worse in sales… GM could experience some success again only with Cruze. which ended up covering also the lack of a big sedan.
Thanks Gustavo, echoes of GM-H’s small cars here that have varied between British/Japanese/German/Korean/German sourcing with various degrees of success.
“.large RWD sedans intended for 2 to 4 large (6 ft tall) people to travel over long open distances in well air-conditioned comfort.”
These days, same group of people want to be in a 3 row seat, big SUV.