Graham 'Smithy' Smith reviews the used HSV Clubsport VN 1990-1991, its fine points, its flaws and what to watch for when you are buying it.

John Harvey took a huge risk when he decided in 1990, in the absence of his boss, John Crennan, to back his judgement and order a batch of cars from Holden for the first run of ClubSports HSV built. Thankfully for Harvey, whose position as HSV’s Marketing and Public Affairs Manager was on the line, his audacious move proved to be a master stroke and the ClubSport has gone on to become HSV’s top selling model.

Harvey, rightly as it transpired, believed that there was a place in the HSV line-up for a more affordable car that delivered plenty of performance, but didn’t necessarily have the luxury that HSV models of the time had.

The Bathurst champ knew from his time with Peter Brock’s HDT Special Vehicles outfit that there were plenty of buyers who wanted a V8-powered, Aussie-built sports sedan and didn’t want all the comforts of home when they took to the open road.

With the HSV boss overseas on business Harvey took it upon himself to draw up the car’s specifications from the HSV parts bin, chose the ClubSport name, and placed an order for 80 cars.

When he informed Crennan of what he’d done he was told in no uncertain terms that he’d better be right. Fortunately he was and all 80 cars were sold by the time Crennan arrived back in the country.

“I had the authority to order cars from Holden, but ordering 80 cars at that time, when HSV was still a relatively small operation was sticking my neck out,” Harvey admits. “When I told John he indicated that it would be a good idea if I sold them before he got back.

“Thankfully the HSV dealers were supportive and all 80 cars were sold before John arrived home.”

So popular was the ClubSport that more than 400 VN ClubSports were eventually built. The ClubSport is now HSV’s most popular model, making up more than 50 per cent of HSV’s current annual production.

MODEL WATCH

Harvey knew there was an unsatisfied demand for a sports sedan that was high on performance but without the luxury and price tag of the models HSV was then building. It wasn’t rocket science, he was close to the HSV club movement and the dealer network and had been getting feedback telling him there was a demand for a less expensive car.

He began with the VN Commodore Executive, which could be optioned with Holden’s 5.0-litre V8, and then turned to the existing HSV parts bin for the special bits and pieces.

There he found the special intake and exhaust systems, which were already used on other HSV models. Then with some tinkering on the engine electronics the power jumped to 180 kW from the 165 kW of the standard VN V8.

There was a choice of five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed auto transmission, the sports suspension was lifted from the HSV SV model, and the 16 x 7-inch alloy wheels had been seen on the ‘Batmobile’ TWR VL Group A Commodore.

Inside, there were few frills. There was a Momo sports steering wheel, but the seats were standard Holden, the trim was standard Holden cloth, the windows were manual, as were the mirrors.

Outside, the VN ClubSport had a single slot grille, a body coloured body kit made up of front spoiler, side skirts and rear wing, and ‘ClubSport’ badges to clearly identify it.

It might seen a little basic, but that was Harvey’s intention. He wanted a sports sedan that could burn rubber without being burdened by too many performance sapping extras.

ON THE LOT

Pricing HSV cars isn’t easy. For some reason that’s hard to fathom they generally don’t hold their value as well as you might expect. Used car dealers find them very hard to move, most don’t like to stock them for that reason. Perhaps it could be that they have been built in numbers too great to be considered highly collectable.

That said the VN ClubSport, being the first, and with just over 400 built, should hold its value, which currently stands at around $15,000 for a well maintained car in good condition.

IN THE SHOP

The ClubSport is one of those vehicles that falls within the enthusiast category of cars that tend to get better treated than the regular run-of-the-mill models. They usually get driven with greater care and maintained with more dedication, which means they’re usually in quite good shape when they come up for sale.

The VN was a make-or-break model for Holden, the car that had to bring the company back from the brink of extinction. Thankfully it did, but it was built in a time of great austerity at Fishermans Bend, which meant it was built down to a budget.

Build quality was ordinary which means that VNs today are generally pretty loose in the body, the trim is often falling apart, and the paint is fast fading.

Mechanically the news is better. The Holden V8 is pretty solid and reliable, but have a good look for oil leaks, from the rear main seal, front cover, rocker covers, and oil pan. Also check the power steering carefully for oil leaks, from the pump and rack.

The five-speed manual gearbox gives little trouble, but the auto needs regular servicing and often needs a rebuild around 150,000 km.

It’s a good idea to check with the HSV Owners Club as you’re sure to find someone who knows the car you’re considering buying, and can give you the ‘real’ story.

LOOK FOR

• Sports motoring with family car comfort

• Rumble of Holden V8

• Solid proven engine and gearbox

• Check for oil leaks from engine and power steering

• Average build quality

• Early Holden paint is prone to fading

RIVALS

• VN Commodore SS – 1989-1991 – $11,000-$12,500

• EF Falcon XR8 – 1994-1995 – $17,000-$18,000