Here is the next instalment in the Holden Commodore Auto History Series. The VP brought anti lock brakes, independent rear suspension (depending on model), colour keyed bumpers, power mirrors and more. Please show your appreciation and support for the channel by doing two things that don’t cost a cent - Hit the 👍Like button and please Subscribe. Thanks for watching. 👍
I still have my 6/93 VP Toyota Lexcen VXi fully optioned with ABS and alloy wheels and 94000kms like it’s come out the showroom floor…I love its uniqueness….great review 👍
It would have been the only locally available Toyota with ABS at the time- it was the Lexcen or the Lexus if you wanted ABS. I think ABS only became available with the SDV 10 Toyota Camry (wide body) Ultima released in 1993, which then changed to the Grande in late 1995 or early 1996, in the last year of that (revised) wide body shape.I’m not even sure if Mitsubishi offered ABS in its Verada Xi until 1993/94.
@ I got chatting to a guy who drove his VR SS (in mint condition, in the metallic dark green) to school pickup. There it was amid a sea of white SUV’s. He had some copies made of them in a 19” and they looked incredible. So point is they were a great design if they can be modified and remain true to the designers styling.
Interesting you talk about grey painted bars on the EB. I spent many years fixing automotive test equipment and therefore was in lots of Holden and Ford dealerships around this time. I clearly remember being in a dealership at Sutherland in Sydney and new VP's having their bumpers painted in the detailing bay. Bodgey brother incorporated!! Then you'd go to the Ford dealerships and there'd be mechanics trying to work out wiring and ignition system issues. Thanks again for the great videos and memories
Thanks. The VP bumpers were painted ex factory, so that sounds very strange to me, unless there was some kind of re-work based on transit damage etc? Greg Ball Holden I assume? 🤔
@@markbehr88 it may have been poverty packs being tarted up? It's so clear in my memory that I was fixing a tune up machine and there was a bloke 3 metres away spraying bars on multiple cars. Maybe it was VN's? I do remember being in Lance Motors at St Marys when there was a line up on Ecotecs with the heads off due to a valve train issue? But again it's so long ago and possibly the memory isn't aligned with fact.
Hi mark. I worked as a detailer at Holden around this time. Interesting fact- every 20 Holdens were quality checked where as all Toyotas were checked (granted lower numbers) But l remember we had 3 incidents with the commodores 1-Mirrors were different colours. 2-car arrived without a back window.3-half the hood lining was missing on a station wagon. But it was a nice car especially the Calais
The VP autos weren't 4L60s, they were TH7OO hydraulically controlled 4 speed automatic. The 4L60E was introduced in the VR Commodore range. I loved the video though mate. Keep them coming.💯%
The 4l60 and th700 are the same gearbox just GM changed the way they named them. It's until the 4l60e they changed to electronic controlled. There's a video on RUclips explaining all the GM auto gearboxes with specs
Thank you Mark very interesting report. I never drove the VN model however we did have the VL as a state govt. car/s where I worked. I was very impressed with that model as it was so smooth and nice to drive. It had the Nissan engine and transmission of course.
My first car. Exactly like the red one on the line there at the factory. I wonder if that one was mine ... great car for the money. The 3800 Buick V6 was a great motor.
Saved a clean, straight VP S2 alaskin white executive from the wrecking yard 6 months ago for $1100. Bought it 1klm from the Holden Elizabeth factory it was built. Had no drive, they thought trans was stuffed. Replaced a split cooler hose, filled the trans and been driving it for last 3 months.
Had the second last VP Senator 5000i built, stupidly sold it for peanuts back in the early 2000's. The half leather half cloth blue Devenish seats were the most comfortable seats i've ever sat in. The car still exists today after living a very hard life after I got rid of it..
@markbehr88 I saw a Facebook post a few years back with a red VP GTS and a white Senator 5000i on a hoist above it, asked the poster what the build number was and it was my number 135, he put me in touch with the current owner and he explained how he bought it for something stupid like 3 and a half grand after he found it parked up beside some building in a very sorry state. He's since cleaned it up back to how it looked when I had it, I bought it when it was 7 years old and was still like new. I still kick myself to this day about getting rid of it haha
Fantastic journey back in time. I agree the ss looks great and love the Calais international. My fave has to go to the series 2 statesman n caprices though. Loved those. And there were some limited edition models. One had a 200kw two tone paint with awesome sports seats. Forget which model it was in Statesman disguise
Another bit of retro... Haven't seen that many clean VPs in a long time. I liked them at the time but I think the VN has aged better. I also never liked the IRS - it did improve the ride, but I found the handling less predictable. A higher grip level for sure, but like all the pre-VXII IRS cars it wanted to swap ends if you backed off too fast in a corner. I was also disappointed that they slowed the steering down to reduce some of the nervousness of the VN (unless my memory is failing and that happened at VR instead). I liked the sharpness of the early cars in any case. Would have loved to have one of those rejected NSW Police cars with the live rear end!
Yes, very few VPs left these days for sure. The live axle cars were probably easier to throw around due to the lack of suspension compliance compared to the IRS cars. 👍
@@markbehr88 It was a Phoenix Red VN SS. A development car donated by Holden to the NSW Police Academy Driver Training School. Very tired and loose but a whole lot of fun. We used it for Highway Patrol training scenarios on the skidpan and closed circuit as the "bay guy car" . Not sure if it had any engine mods but it ran harder than the BT1 VS SS's on the circuit. Never fitted with a compliance plate so never to be registered, last I know it was donated to the Goulburn TAFE motor section. Ah the good old days.
Thank you Mark. I see the 3800 V6 was used there as well. I know Holden refined the engine and American GM benefitted. I saw RTS on the instrumentation panel. That used to be placed in Pontiacs in the past in those models. This model has some Oldsmobile styling cues. The light bar grille was a Mercury Sable thing and Pontiac Grand prix sedan thing. The window design reminds me of a 1990-1996 Pontiac Grand Prix sedan. Those International badges are from Oldsmobile. They used to have International Series at Oldsmobile on several models. Thank you for sharing the Toyota Lexcen based on the Holden. This car is a big as a W Body midsized GM car car 1990-1996. I must say I enjoyed this video too.
@@OLDS98 Thanks Olds98. Yes, plenty of Pontiac and Oldsmobile cues in there for sure. RTS was still there but not really talked about like it was in 1977, when it was a big deal. After all every car had radials by then. 👍.
@@markbehr88 It is interesting the many parts used and shared between Holden and the American GM brands. Thank you for explaining the Holden RTS and how it was used there. It seems this model was quite successful. The thing that was interesting is where it was exported.
Hi Mark, have to agree with you it is a nice looking car, I like the Calais International and the Senator 5000i. I can see the styling from the side of the car to the rear and I can see the Vauxhall Senator. Being a similar looking car it's a shame that the 5.0 litre V8 was not fitted to the Vauxhall Senator as there would be room under the bonnet to fit a V8. Great review on the Holden Commodore VP, catch you soon Take care
Great wrap-up of the VP. My favorite era of Commodore is VN-VP. I wonder; did the Clubsport '5000i' designation mean it sported leftover VN Group A 4-bolt main blocks like the VP Senator 5000i and VP GTS? It would make sense, but I can't find info on this.
Nice video, thanks for sharing! I remember VL was much nicer car to drive in than these, mostly down to the engine alone. The move to Buick V6 from Nissan RB was a big step backwards, even if they were at least reliable. If these kept the RB engine they would have been amazing
@@MrRicardo361 Thanks. I haven’t driven a VL six, so can’t really comment on the comparison. I found the V6 a good engine, if a little harsh. But it had great power and torque and was very economical. Overall though, I preferred the V8s. 👍
Another Great video Mark. Interesting that you say the VNs are the more collectable now - why is that? There was a scruffy looking VN ute parked up in Upper Hutt a while back and it’s the only car I’ve seen with a sign on it saying NOT FOR SALE. He must have had a lot of people knocking on the door!
@@lizandian Thanks. I think the VN was such a popular car and a first car for a lot of young blokes. Now that they are a bit older and have a few $ they want to re-live their younger days. 👍
Like VP especially models offered, next door brothers had black International with best interior combination, i wish that was offered on the ute. Another local had gold VP Olympic edition, that was nice looking car.
I always thought the VN Executive interior looked better in the grey colour, than the VP Executive interior. I know it's a small difference,but I also thought the instrument cluster in the VN Executive looked better than the VP Executive instrument cluster. I've had both the VN and VP Executive. I also always thought the VP Executive front clear grill reminded me of a flourescent light cover and was quite ugly. I also thought the dark grey bumpers on the VN Executive looked better than the colour coded VP Executive. This is only my opinion, so you can take it with a grain of salt. Everyone has a different opinion and that's ok.👍👍
I tend to think body coloured bumpers gave off a more cohesive appearance. When the whole car is the same colour, everything just gels together with no interruption. Looking at the current Hilux Workmate, how terrible do those standard grey bumpers look on such a modern vehicle?
@noelgibson5956 Totally different vehicle. Even when people paint VN Executive bumpers the body colour, it's too much. The dark grey bumpers break it up, but like I said, it's just my opinion. Have a great night.👍👍
I remember when doing pre delivery inspection on the VP, I found quality was up compared to the VN. Gmh and Vic police were trialling the plastic head lights on the SS pursuit cars.
the Vn vp vs vr were a favorite for the criminals the urban legend from the 90's was you could jump up and down on the roof and all of the doors would pop open
I owned a VP calais. it really aged well style wise compared to the falcon. The vp really handled well and once you fitted a full camber kit in the rear end it sharpened up the stability in the rear end and if driven hwy km the rear tyres lasted better than the front if the aliment was done correctly
@@javic1979 Yes, without the rear camber kit, towing or heavily loading the car was an issue with tyre wear. When I was at HSV we had issues with that due to the soft tyre compounds we used. 👍
I've always had a soft spot for vn-vp commodore's. I always wanted to buy a rolling shell and swap my l67 and t5 into one. You also forgot about the HDT models, they still existed.
Ur not as strange as u may think ...I'ma Ford bloke but I always love the rear wheel treatment (cover) on the vo it was my favorite part of the design lol
Had the exec wagon back in the day as a work vehicle.Was a really nice car to drive. Not as manic as the VN. Never missed a beat over the 150klms I had it. Never liked the rear wheel arch on the VPs though.
The vp was a handsome update. Why the ss was never as popular as the vn still astounds me but , my hatred of the vp was the poor woolen seat fabrics....almost like a bad chinese suit. But if i could go back, i would have bought the vp over a vn
As always, another great video, Mark. I'm just thinking out loud here, but I think the VN - VT era Commodores might have been even more successful with a 3 litre six, maybe. I think the perceived lack of economy of the 3.8 Buick engine might have scared a few potential buyers off. I think the 2.6 export engine may have been a bit too small for the local market (or any market, really). Maybe it would have made sense to have the option of a 3 litre V6, or a 5 litre V8. Thoughts?
Thanks. The 3.8 was actually a very economical engine. With the 4 speed auto, you could easily get 9 litres per 100km or less on a constant 100 kph cruise. I never had anyone complain about the fuel economy of the 3.8 while I was at Holden. It also had good power so a 3 litre may have been regarded as underdone, especially compared to the 3.9 and later 4 litre Falcon. 🤔👍
@markbehr88 most ford's and Vauxhalls in the UK could be optioned with heated seats. It's a pretty popular option. A lot of the higher spec ford's had a heated windscreen as well
Back in the day I had a VN Commodore “S’ manual and wanted to trade it on a VP SS I really liked the aggressive styling so as I was pondering the expense etc over a few weeks after being to the dealer to suss things out. Long story short during this time I met a nice young lady got to know her started going out.. you know the story.. One day she wanted to buy a new car so I took her to Suttons Holden for a look out front on a ramp was a red HSV VP GTS she goes “Oh I want that’ marched straight in and bought it to say I was gob smacked was a understatement at one point we where doing a road trip up through the NT open speed limit at the time. I was doing most of the driving then we swapped over at one stage I had a rest fell asleep when I woke we where north of Tennant Creek I looked over out of the corner of my eye and she had the speedo needle pinned lol when she noticed I was awake she slowed down to 180kmh 😅 true story don’t think I’ll ever forget that, never did get around to buying a SS.
@@Ballterra I don't know how you didn't wake up at that speed, as everything becomes noisy, even the wind noise at those speeds,plus hitting small bumps at that speed moves the car around a fair bit. You must be able to sleep through an earthquake lol
@@victorpeirce4753I know what you mean and I am a light sleeper lol I was dog tired but a bump in the road did wake me up at a place called the “Marbles’ that’s when I saw 👀 the speedo.
There were more changes to the EB1 than a badge being moved. Different tail lights, vents removed from the C pillar, Smart lock, change of steering wheel, improved door seals, different air intake box etc.
Yes, the Plus Six is mentioned in the episode. Re EB. That is the sales spiel we gave. For more information refer to the EB episode I have done. It has all the details. 👍
The VP V6 having 170hp was considered ample power, Iv'e got a VX which are rated at 204 hp , that's a pretty good boost in power. I always remember when the VP was new ,I saw a Club Sport in red ( like Ferrari red) with, I'm pretty sure, tan interior ? , it made quite an impression on me , it looked expensive and luxurious, I suppose it would be worth more now than back then ?. Any idea where the name " Maloo " came from?
@ I red that there were 300 VP SS’s built, but seems too small a number. It also stated 150 were black and 150 were white - so where are the red ones ?.
I thought these looked so cool when they came out. Today I prefer how the VN looks. Funny how tastes change. You never see these cars anymore. VN's occasionally yes. But these no.
@ I remember when my father bought a VR commodore in 1994 the salesman told us the floor and lower panels were galvanised. This blew us away living on the coast battling rust in the older holdens.
@@markbehr88 thanks for the reply. I bought an FG XR6 new in 2009 and under the boot carpet the panels were a golden colour which I was told was galvanising. That vehicle suffered from rust in the engine bay by 2012 so you are probably correct.
Big fan of Commodore but not VN/VP. Worst aspect was the narrow front track inherited from VB-VL. Best of this series was the VS. much better engines and styling.
@@markbehr88 Installed FE2 on my VS, loved the way it handled. Drove the VN as a work car and had a VQ Statesman. The VQ handled better with the wider track even with the extra weight of an 8 iron up front.
@@royferntorp In all the miles I did in my company Commodores (probably 50,000 per year) I never had trouble with the brakes on any of them. Agree the Fords did have good brakes, with slightly firmer pedal feel. 👍
so many ' specials' 35 of this , 125 of that. Seems that there was a lack of direction and ideas were just being thrown around. Is that an accurate assumption?
The styling of the VP wasn't really a favorite of mine. Bit of American influence there with the frontal and grille design and the rear wheel spats. Reminded me of USA Crown Vics etc. They were a unique model in Commodores, with the design and different interior fabrics compared to VN, and even VR - VS. As well as the different models like the Berlina LX. Which was only around for VP. And the introduction of ABS, IRS, Engine immobilizers, and Body control modules (BCM)
@@markbehr88 Never really envisaged owning one. But I ended up getting a 1992 base VP Ute 5 years ago. Bench seat 5 speed manual. Its been a good old ute and is approaching 350,000 km on it.
My opinion only..... commodore should never have been the replacement for the kingswood. Every model Kingswood is still a better looking vehicle than every commodore model!
Those wheels fitted to the SS looked like plastic wheelcovers you bought at K-Mart at the time. I just did not like them. At the time, i had an XE with such wheelcovers, which i promptly had replaced with XD Ghia rims.
@@markbehr88Me too. I found the VN had bland euro styling. I like the road presence of U.S styling. Same with the VE Pontiac G8 fronts compared to the standard VE, but that’s just my opinion, each to their own
I like the VP SS and there are sadly very few around, however I have to disagree with you about the wheels, I believe they're the ugliest wheels ever fitted to an Australian made car.
And I thought the Metric System and Celsius scale was annoying because I have to convert them into Imperial Units and degrees in Fahrenheit to understand their values. Now I find that Aussies may use kilowatt output exclusively. I recall that horsepower was a simple way to put engine output in terms that the Average Joe can comprehend (an engine can do the work of X number of horses) Thank God most Australians don't only refer to engine power in kilowatts😅
VN, VR, VP and VS were the biggest loads of trash ever manufactures in Australia. When I was Panel beating these bits of garbage I don`t know what metal they were made but it was soft as butter, you couldn`t push off it you couldn`t push on it would just collapse. The roof linings would fall down, all the door belt Moulds would fall inside the doors, the bonnets would flex and rise at high speed and eventually bend the bonnet. If they were ever involved in big accidents or hit trees they would just tear in half or to pieces. I had one on a Crash bench once with the front guards off and you could lift up and down on the front door and watch the front of the chassis go up and down, Crazy how they even passed ADR let alone the crash testing. Not to mention they were ugly ASF especially that rear quarter wheel arch that wasn`t.
Here is the next instalment in the Holden Commodore Auto History Series. The VP brought anti lock brakes, independent rear suspension (depending on model), colour keyed bumpers, power mirrors and more. Please show your appreciation and support for the channel by doing two things that don’t cost a cent - Hit the 👍Like button and please Subscribe. Thanks for watching. 👍
I still have my 6/93 VP Toyota Lexcen VXi fully optioned with ABS and alloy wheels and 94000kms like it’s come out the showroom floor…I love its uniqueness….great review 👍
@@skatewaverider Thanks very much. Sounds like you have a nice one there. 👍
It would have been the only locally available Toyota with ABS at the time- it was the Lexcen or the Lexus if you wanted ABS. I think ABS only became available with the SDV 10 Toyota Camry (wide body) Ultima released in 1993, which then changed to the Grande in late 1995 or early 1996, in the last year of that (revised) wide body shape.I’m not even sure if Mitsubishi offered ABS in its Verada Xi until 1993/94.
@ Interesting fact 👍
The HSV VP Gts was a favourite of mine. They got the look right
Yes, it looked cool. 👍
Those 17” VP Senator wheels are one of my all time favourite wheels that Holden ever put on their cars.
They did look good. 👍
@ I got chatting to a guy who drove his VR SS (in mint condition, in the metallic dark green) to school pickup. There it was amid a sea of white SUV’s. He had some copies made of them in a 19” and they looked incredible. So point is they were a great design if they can be modified and remain true to the designers styling.
@ Nice to see a proper car in a sea of SUVs. 👍
Thanks Mark, I never knew there were so many variations of the humble VP!
Yes, there were a couple I hadn’t heard of! One had a name out of Battlestar Galactica. Very 1980’s. 😀👍
thanks very much sir,my knowledge took a leap regarding vp commodore.
@@kajak012 Pleasure. 👍
Interesting you talk about grey painted bars on the EB.
I spent many years fixing automotive test equipment and therefore was in lots of Holden and Ford dealerships around this time. I clearly remember being in a dealership at Sutherland in Sydney and new VP's having their bumpers painted in the detailing bay. Bodgey brother incorporated!!
Then you'd go to the Ford dealerships and there'd be mechanics trying to work out wiring and ignition system issues.
Thanks again for the great videos and memories
Thanks. The VP bumpers were painted ex factory, so that sounds very strange to me, unless there was some kind of re-work based on transit damage etc? Greg Ball Holden I assume? 🤔
@@markbehr88 it may have been poverty packs being tarted up?
It's so clear in my memory that I was fixing a tune up machine and there was a bloke 3 metres away spraying bars on multiple cars.
Maybe it was VN's?
I do remember being in Lance Motors at St Marys when there was a line up on Ecotecs with the heads off due to a valve train issue?
But again it's so long ago and possibly the memory isn't aligned with fact.
@ Yes, even the base model Exec had the painted bumpers so maybe they were VNs? 🤔
@@markbehr88 thanks. And I really appreciate these videos. Great job mate
@ Cheers. 👍
Hi Mark, another great ep, my god the Nick and Paul Vuko, such memories, something that we can’t discuss on this forum 😂
Ha. Yes. Thanks. 👍👍
Love these videos Mark, really miss Holden.
Love the VP solid great car, bloody shame how no more Holden just sad.
Thanks very much. Yes, sad we lost our best industry. 🫣
Religion, like a death
Oh the memories.
Yes, plenty of memories. Nice to capture them. 👍
Hi mark. I worked as a detailer at Holden around this time. Interesting fact- every 20 Holdens were quality checked where as all Toyotas were checked (granted lower numbers) But l remember we had 3 incidents with the commodores 1-Mirrors were different colours. 2-car arrived without a back window.3-half the hood lining was missing on a station wagon. But it was a nice car especially the Calais
@@trevorsully3054 Gee. I hope they removed the people who let those ones through. I never heard of no back window. How does that happen.?
Great overview, as always. I still miss my VP2 Exec. It was such a comfortable commuter car - wish I still had it.
@@eyman67 Thanks very much. 👍
The thumbnail looks like every '00s maccas late night carpark, ever! 😂
@@onedayiwillmakesomecontent Ha. Yes.
Dad had a VP S pack.. what I did my learners in ❤
@@jadesmith6823 Nice car. 👍
That is some amazing low numbers for some of those models.
For sure. Rare as. 👍
Love your videos mate
Thanks very much. 👍
G'day Mark. Another awesome video! Sweet looking Holden Commodore. 🙂
Thanks Jason. I thought they were a really good looking car. 👍
The VP autos weren't 4L60s, they were TH7OO hydraulically controlled 4 speed automatic.
The 4L60E was introduced in the VR Commodore range. I loved the video though mate. Keep them coming.💯%
@@victorpeirce4753 Thanks. That sounds right. I’ll check it out. 👍
The 4l60 and th700 are the same gearbox just GM changed the way they named them. It's until the 4l60e they changed to electronic controlled. There's a video on RUclips explaining all the GM auto gearboxes with specs
@ 👍
@@lochlanpSo , if I wanted to, could I run the old TH700 behind my VX's V6 ?
@@lochlanpSo ,if I wanted to, could I run an old TH700 behind my VX's v6?
Fantastic Video! Learnt lots.
@@shannonireland9057 Thanks 👍
Thank you Mark very interesting report. I never drove the VN model however we did have the VL as a state govt. car/s where I worked. I was very impressed with that model as it was so smooth and nice to drive. It had the Nissan engine and transmission of course.
Yes, they were a nice car. 👍
Vp calais wheel spats are great. The international with the vq statesman wheels was always interesting.
Agree. I liked them too. 👍
My first car. Exactly like the red one on the line there at the factory. I wonder if that one was mine ... great car for the money. The 3800 Buick V6 was a great motor.
@@guzf344 Could be? 🤔👍
Saved a clean, straight VP S2 alaskin white executive from the wrecking yard 6 months ago for $1100.
Bought it 1klm from the Holden Elizabeth factory it was built.
Had no drive, they thought trans was stuffed. Replaced a split cooler hose, filled the trans and been driving it for last 3 months.
@@brutechurchill That’s terrific 👍
Excellent thank you
@@jasonzumpe8616 Cheers👍
Had the second last VP Senator 5000i built, stupidly sold it for peanuts back in the early 2000's. The half leather half cloth blue Devenish seats were the most comfortable seats i've ever sat in. The car still exists today after living a very hard life after I got rid of it..
@@hkmonaro8153 Maybe you should get it back and restore it? 🤔
@markbehr88 I saw a Facebook post a few years back with a red VP GTS and a white Senator 5000i on a hoist above it, asked the poster what the build number was and it was my number 135, he put me in touch with the current owner and he explained how he bought it for something stupid like 3 and a half grand after he found it parked up beside some building in a very sorry state. He's since cleaned it up back to how it looked when I had it, I bought it when it was 7 years old and was still like new. I still kick myself to this day about getting rid of it haha
@@hkmonaro8153 At least it survived I guess. 🤔👍
Fantastic journey back in time. I agree the ss looks great and love the Calais international. My fave has to go to the series 2 statesman n caprices though. Loved those. And there were some limited edition models. One had a 200kw two tone paint with awesome sports seats. Forget which model it was in Statesman disguise
@@mikewaters6980 Thanks very much. I will be doing a Statesman and Caprice series down the track. 👍
Another bit of retro... Haven't seen that many clean VPs in a long time. I liked them at the time but I think the VN has aged better.
I also never liked the IRS - it did improve the ride, but I found the handling less predictable. A higher grip level for sure, but like all the pre-VXII IRS cars it wanted to swap ends if you backed off too fast in a corner.
I was also disappointed that they slowed the steering down to reduce some of the nervousness of the VN (unless my memory is failing and that happened at VR instead). I liked the sharpness of the early cars in any case.
Would have loved to have one of those rejected NSW Police cars with the live rear end!
Yes, very few VPs left these days for sure. The live axle cars were probably easier to throw around due to the lack of suspension compliance compared to the IRS cars. 👍
I spent a lot of time in a VN SS with IRS, back off oversteer was good fun.
@@malcolmirving9485 Vn or VP? 🤔
@@markbehr88 It was a Phoenix Red VN SS. A development car donated by Holden to the NSW Police Academy Driver Training School. Very tired and loose but a whole lot of fun. We used it for Highway Patrol training scenarios on the skidpan and closed circuit as the "bay guy car" . Not sure if it had any engine mods but it ran harder than the BT1 VS SS's on the circuit. Never fitted with a compliance plate so never to be registered, last I know it was donated to the Goulburn TAFE motor section. Ah the good old days.
@ Very cool. No doubt it went hard as it was thrashed from day 1. 😀👍
Thank you Mark. I see the 3800 V6 was used there as well. I know Holden refined the engine and American GM benefitted. I saw RTS on the instrumentation panel. That used to be placed in Pontiacs in the past in those models. This model has some Oldsmobile styling cues. The light bar grille was a Mercury Sable thing and Pontiac Grand prix sedan thing. The window design reminds me of a 1990-1996 Pontiac Grand Prix sedan. Those International badges are from Oldsmobile. They used to have International Series at Oldsmobile on several models. Thank you for sharing the Toyota Lexcen based on the Holden. This car is a big as a W Body midsized GM car car 1990-1996. I must say I enjoyed this video too.
@@OLDS98 Thanks Olds98. Yes, plenty of Pontiac and Oldsmobile cues in there for sure. RTS was still there but not really talked about like it was in 1977, when it was a big deal. After all every car had radials by then. 👍.
@@markbehr88 It is interesting the many parts used and shared between Holden and the American GM brands. Thank you for explaining the Holden RTS and how it was used there. It seems this model was quite successful. The thing that was interesting is where it was exported.
@ Yes, before Holden’s serious export push with VT. 👍
Hi Mark, have to agree with you it is a nice looking car, I like the Calais International and the Senator 5000i. I can see the styling from the side of the car to the rear and I can see the Vauxhall Senator. Being a similar looking car it's a shame that the 5.0 litre V8 was not fitted to the Vauxhall Senator as there would be room under the bonnet to fit a V8. Great review on the Holden Commodore VP, catch you soon Take care
Thanks Shaun. Glad you liked it. I would love a Calais International these days. Cool car. 👍
11:14........ when did you last see a VN or VP ute with THOSE wheels fitted?? They really suit it. Makes them look like proper work utes.
@@noelgibson5956 Agree. 👍
Holden finally got it right in 1991 ,the VP is the best Commodore of them all
@@waldomccluskey4568 That’s high praise indeed. 👍
Great wrap-up of the VP. My favorite era of Commodore is VN-VP. I wonder; did the Clubsport '5000i' designation mean it sported leftover VN Group A 4-bolt main blocks like the VP Senator 5000i and VP GTS? It would make sense, but I can't find info on this.
@@LadzeeFixes I would say so. That would be the differentiator of the 5000i package. I would say they had extra components left over. 👍
Nice video, thanks for sharing! I remember VL was much nicer car to drive in than these, mostly down to the engine alone. The move to Buick V6 from Nissan RB was a big step backwards, even if they were at least reliable. If these kept the RB engine they would have been amazing
@@MrRicardo361 Thanks. I haven’t driven a VL six, so can’t really comment on the comparison. I found the V6 a good engine, if a little harsh. But it had great power and torque and was very economical. Overall though, I preferred the V8s. 👍
Another Great video Mark. Interesting that you say the VNs are the more collectable now - why is that?
There was a scruffy looking VN ute parked up in Upper Hutt a while back and it’s the only car I’ve seen with a sign on it saying NOT FOR SALE. He must have had a lot of people knocking on the door!
@@lizandian Thanks. I think the VN was such a popular car and a first car for a lot of young blokes. Now that they are a bit older and have a few $ they want to re-live their younger days. 👍
Like VP especially models offered, next door brothers had black International with best interior combination, i wish that was offered on the ute. Another local had gold VP Olympic edition, that was nice looking car.
@@JimmyShields-z2h very cool. 👍
I always thought the VN Executive interior looked better in the grey colour, than the VP Executive interior. I know it's a small difference,but I also thought the instrument cluster in the VN Executive looked better than the VP Executive instrument cluster. I've had both the VN and VP Executive. I also always thought the VP Executive front clear grill reminded me of a flourescent light cover and was quite ugly. I also thought the dark grey bumpers on the VN Executive looked better than the colour coded VP Executive. This is only my opinion, so you can take it with a grain of salt. Everyone has a different opinion and that's ok.👍👍
I tend to think body coloured bumpers gave off a more cohesive appearance. When the whole car is the same colour, everything just gels together with no interruption.
Looking at the current Hilux Workmate, how terrible do those standard grey bumpers look on such a modern vehicle?
@noelgibson5956 Totally different vehicle. Even when people paint VN Executive bumpers the body colour, it's too much. The dark grey bumpers break it up, but like I said, it's just my opinion. Have a great night.👍👍
Sure. Each to their own. Personally I preferred the colour keyed bumper and quite liked the clear grille. 👍
Yes, the grey bumpers are more utilitarian. 👍
I remember when doing pre delivery inspection on the VP, I found quality was up compared to the VN. Gmh and Vic police were trialling the plastic head lights on the SS pursuit cars.
@@andrewfryc5602 Yes Bill Hamel (MD) was ex Cadillac and pushed the quality issue. Certainly nowhere near MB levels but generally better than VN. 👍
the Vn vp vs vr were a favorite for the criminals the urban legend from the 90's was you could jump up and down on the roof and all of the doors would pop open
Really? Never tried it myself? 🧐
I owned a VP calais. it really aged well style wise compared to the falcon. The vp really handled well and once you fitted a full camber kit in the rear end it sharpened up the stability in the rear end and if driven hwy km the rear tyres lasted better than the front if the aliment was done correctly
@@javic1979 Yes, without the rear camber kit, towing or heavily loading the car was an issue with tyre wear. When I was at HSV we had issues with that due to the soft tyre compounds we used. 👍
I've always had a soft spot for vn-vp commodore's. I always wanted to buy a rolling shell and swap my l67 and t5 into one. You also forgot about the HDT models, they still existed.
I was at Holden then and the HDT models were almost non existent and not on anyone’s radar. None of my major Sydney Metro dealers carried them. 👍
Don't forget about the HDT , wgr and CSV commodore's for the VR. CSV and WGR started with the VR commodore. The bodykit designs are amazing.
Yes I remember the cease and desist letters we used to send to dealers (small number) who sold them. 🤔
Am trying to buy an old ladies 2000 statesman with L67, one owner 😆
@ Very cool. I would like one of those. 👍
15:52 Damn the VP Clubbies were a good looking car
@@MitchZero9 Yes. Rare now. 👍
Ur not as strange as u may think ...I'ma Ford bloke but I always love the rear wheel treatment (cover) on the vo it was my favorite part of the design lol
@@mishham6388 Yes, it looked good. 👍
Had the exec wagon back in the day as a work vehicle.Was a really nice car to drive. Not as manic as the VN. Never missed a beat over the 150klms I had it. Never liked the rear wheel arch on the VPs though.
They were good cars. 👍
The vp was a handsome update. Why the ss was never as popular as the vn still astounds me but , my hatred of the vp was the poor woolen seat fabrics....almost like a bad chinese suit. But if i could go back, i would have bought the vp over a vn
The rims weren't great...
@Low760 at the time they were strange but time has made them somewhat cool. Find a set and they will be worth a bit I'd say
Yes, the VP SS is not that popular, but I like them. 👍
See, I liked those rims. Each to their own. 👍
For sure. 👍
As always, another great video, Mark.
I'm just thinking out loud here, but I think the VN - VT era Commodores might have been even more successful with a 3 litre six, maybe. I think the perceived lack of economy of the 3.8 Buick engine might have scared a few potential buyers off. I think the 2.6 export engine may have been a bit too small for the local market (or any market, really). Maybe it would have made sense to have the option of a 3 litre V6, or a 5 litre V8. Thoughts?
Thanks. The 3.8 was actually a very economical engine. With the 4 speed auto, you could easily get 9 litres per 100km or less on a constant 100 kph cruise. I never had anyone complain about the fuel economy of the 3.8 while I was at Holden. It also had good power so a 3 litre may have been regarded as underdone, especially compared to the 3.9 and later 4 litre Falcon. 🤔👍
@@markbehr88 I agree, I've owned two of them... I just meant prospective buyers might have been scared off by the size.
@ They probably bought Camry V6? 🤔
Were heated seats ever an option in the commodores and falcons?
@@meirionwilliams-w1p Good question. I know the last Euro Commodore had them? Falcons. I don’t think so.
@markbehr88 most ford's and Vauxhalls in the UK could be optioned with heated seats. It's a pretty popular option. A lot of the higher spec ford's had a heated windscreen as well
@@meirionwilliams-w1p Yes, not as big an issue in a climate like Australia although most decent Euro cars have them. Much more common now. 👍
@markbehr88 yeah I thought that. A bit pointless I suppose
@@meirionwilliams-w1p 👍
Back in the day I had a VN Commodore “S’ manual and wanted to trade it on a VP SS I really liked the aggressive styling so as I was pondering the expense etc over a few weeks after being to the dealer to suss things out. Long story short during this time I met a nice young lady got to know her started going out.. you know the story.. One day she wanted to buy a new car so I took her to Suttons Holden for a look out front on a ramp was a red HSV VP GTS she goes “Oh I want that’ marched straight in and bought it to say I was gob smacked was a understatement at one point we where doing a road trip up through the NT open speed limit at the time. I was doing most of the driving then we swapped over at one stage I had a rest fell asleep when I woke we where north of Tennant Creek I looked over out of the corner of my eye and she had the speedo needle pinned lol when she noticed I was awake she slowed down to 180kmh 😅 true story don’t think I’ll ever forget that, never did get around to buying a SS.
@@Ballterra What was the top speed ?
@@victorpeirce4753She had it at the full 220kmh mark don’t know for how long before I woke up and noticed.
@@Ballterra You should have married her! 😀
@@Ballterra I don't know how you didn't wake up at that speed, as everything becomes noisy, even the wind noise at those speeds,plus hitting small bumps at that speed moves the car around a fair bit. You must be able to sleep through an earthquake lol
@@victorpeirce4753I know what you mean and I am a light sleeper lol I was dog tired but a bump in the road did wake me up at a place called the “Marbles’ that’s when I saw 👀 the speedo.
There were more changes to the EB1 than a badge being moved. Different tail lights, vents removed from the C pillar, Smart lock, change of steering wheel, improved door seals, different air intake box etc.
Yes, and it is in the episode! 😳
Yes, the Plus Six is mentioned in the episode. Re EB. That is the sales spiel we gave. For more information refer to the EB episode I have done. It has all the details. 👍
I thought smart lock was ed?
@ Who mentioned Smartlock? Are you talking about the EB episode?
@@markbehr88The original comment that this thread is attached to mentions smart lock.
The VP V6 having 170hp was considered ample power, Iv'e got a VX which are rated at 204 hp , that's a pretty good boost in power. I always remember when the VP was new ,I saw a Club Sport in red ( like Ferrari red) with, I'm pretty sure, tan interior ? , it made quite an impression on me , it looked expensive and luxurious, I suppose it would be worth more now than back then ?. Any idea where the name " Maloo " came from?
Bit of weight difference though VP to VX. Maloo is aboriginal for Thunder. I assume Crennan came up with it? 🤔
@markbehr88 Oh yes,the power to weight ratio.👍
@ 😉
Any idea of production numbers for VP SS - it seems to very elusive
@@unclefester5418 I do not believe those numbers are available? 🤔
@ I red that there were 300 VP SS’s built, but seems too small a number. It also stated 150 were black and 150 were white - so where are the red ones ?.
@ I don’t think that’s right at all. Maybe that’s how many red ones they did? 🤔
Button always looked like he was in a vice if u know what I mean. He always looked like the reluclant messenger.
Quite possibly? 🤔👍
I thought these looked so cool when they came out. Today I prefer how the VN looks. Funny how tastes change. You never see these cars anymore. VN's occasionally yes. But these no.
Yes, very few left on the road. 👍
still have my VP Calais with 130,000 kms on it
@@HulkHogan-nm9mi Very cool. 👍
When did Holden and ford start fully galvanising the chassis?
@@justicebroker2271 I’m not aware they ever fully galvanised the chassis. Maybe some elements of it post 1980’s? 🤔
@ I remember when my father bought a VR commodore in 1994 the salesman told us the floor and lower panels were galvanised. This blew us away living on the coast battling rust in the older holdens.
@ That could be true? 👍
@@markbehr88 thanks for the reply. I bought an FG XR6 new in 2009 and under the boot carpet the panels were a golden colour which I was told was galvanising. That vehicle suffered from rust in the engine bay by 2012 so you are probably correct.
@ 👍
Big fan of Commodore but not VN/VP. Worst aspect was the narrow front track inherited from VB-VL.
Best of this series was the VS. much better engines and styling.
If you order FE2 suspension and some of the wider alloy wheels, it made a big difference. 👍
@@markbehr88 Installed FE2 on my VS, loved the way it handled.
Drove the VN as a work car and had a VQ Statesman. The VQ handled better with the wider track even with the extra weight of an 8 iron up front.
@ Yes. FE2 made a big difference. 👍
Even with the ABS the brakes were so rubbish. 2 fast stops and it would give up. Had an EB loan car at the time. The brakes took longer to give up.
@@royferntorp In all the miles I did in my company Commodores (probably 50,000 per year) I never had trouble with the brakes on any of them. Agree the Fords did have good brakes, with slightly firmer pedal feel. 👍
@@markbehr88 I was doing some 'spirited' driving.
@ 👍
so many ' specials' 35 of this , 125 of that. Seems that there was a lack of direction and ideas were just being thrown around. Is that an accurate assumption?
@@leighhaberl981 Yes, I think that is fair. It was more opportunistic versus later on, where we had more of a considered brand strategy. 👍
The styling of the VP wasn't really a favorite of mine. Bit of American influence there with the frontal and grille design and the rear wheel spats. Reminded me of USA Crown Vics etc. They were a unique model in Commodores, with the design and different interior fabrics compared to VN, and even VR - VS. As well as the different models like the Berlina LX. Which was only around for VP. And the introduction of ABS, IRS, Engine immobilizers, and Body control modules (BCM)
@@benglossop2603 So, quite a few innovations for the time. 👍
@@markbehr88 Never really envisaged owning one. But I ended up getting a 1992 base VP Ute 5 years ago. Bench seat 5 speed manual. Its been a good old ute and is approaching 350,000 km on it.
@ sounds like a good jigger. 👍
13:36 and my vf i need to lift up the floor!
😀👍
My opinion only..... commodore should never have been the replacement for the kingswood. Every model Kingswood is still a better looking vehicle than every commodore model!
@@jamest4424 yes, it was a shame the proposed WB series that included many other models, did not go ahead. I will do an episode on these. 👍
Those wheels fitted to the SS looked like plastic wheelcovers you bought at K-Mart at the time. I just did not like them. At the time, i had an XE with such wheelcovers, which i promptly had replaced with XD Ghia rims.
@@noelgibson5956 Yes, I get it. I like their techno 80’s look. Something different. 🤔👍
@@markbehr88
Fair enough...
😵💫
The VN had a better looking front end. The VP went too much USA.
@@royferntorp Probably why I liked it more? 🤔👍
@@markbehr88Me too. I found the VN had bland euro styling. I like the road presence of U.S styling. Same with the VE Pontiac G8 fronts compared to the standard VE, but that’s just my opinion, each to their own
@ Yes I liked the Pontiac nose too. 👍
I like the VP SS and there are sadly very few around, however I have to disagree with you about the wheels, I believe they're the ugliest wheels ever fitted to an Australian made car.
@@jamiespinks3657 That’s fine re the wheels. I like them because of their strange appearance. They look almost Japanese. 👍
@markbehr88 Yes they do have an origami vibe about them.
@ They would look good on my 83 Mazda 929 Hardtop. 😀👍
First
@@jacksonkalisch2943 👍
And I thought the Metric System and Celsius scale was annoying because I have to convert them into Imperial Units and degrees in Fahrenheit to understand their values. Now I find that Aussies may use kilowatt output exclusively. I recall that horsepower was a simple way to put engine output in terms that the Average Joe can comprehend (an engine can do the work of X number of horses) Thank God most Australians don't only refer to engine power in kilowatts😅
#reindeerpower
@@nuthinasitseems5213 I try to give both where I can. 👍
@@nuthinasitseems5213 Well, it is Christmas! 🎄
VN? Are you serious??? What a piece of crap!
Thank you for your comment..... great video Mark love all the Commodore's.....🙏🏻
👍👍
Are you referring to the VP episode?
VN, VR, VP and VS were the biggest loads of trash ever manufactures in Australia. When I was Panel beating these bits of garbage I don`t know what metal they were made but it was soft as butter, you couldn`t push off it you couldn`t push on it would just collapse. The roof linings would fall down, all the door belt Moulds would fall inside the doors, the bonnets would flex and rise at high speed and eventually bend the bonnet. If they were ever involved in big accidents or hit trees they would just tear in half or to pieces. I had one on a Crash bench once with the front guards off and you could lift up and down on the front door and watch the front of the chassis go up and down, Crazy how they even passed ADR let alone the crash testing. Not to mention they were ugly ASF especially that rear quarter wheel arch that wasn`t.
Another fan eh? 🤔😀
They are bloody reliable daily's though.
@ Absolutely. 👍