Holden Commodore 1990 Problems

The dizzyingly high prices being realised for the XY Falcon GTHO Phase III in recent times has led to a rethink of values right across the classic car market. While the Phase III HO has grabbed the headlines with cars selling well in excess of half a million dollars, other lesser Australian muscle car classics have also appreciated in its wake. When the price of the Phase III became beyond the reach of all but the very well heeled those who wanted a Phase III turned to the regular XY GT and its price escalated as a result.By the time it finished every local muscle car classic had increased in value and the search was on for any that had yet to really take off. The early classics, the Falcon GTs, Monaros, Toranas, Chargers and the like were pretty much out of the picture having already had, in some cases, some pretty hefty price hikes.It was in the later group, from the 1980s and early 1990s that there was some cars, like the VN Commodore SS Group A, that still had some potential to appreciate in value in the future.The trick was to decide which ones had the potential and how high the prices might climb. When selecting cars for their potential to increase in value it’s important to tick a number of boxes, namely, rarity, heritage and desirability. The VN Commodore SS Group A ticks all of those boxes. Just 302 were built, they were built for racing and they’re very desirable.MODEL WATCH The VN Group A was born out the need for Holden to go racing. The company had been a long-time supporter of touring car racing and held on through the 1980s when the local racing authority adopted Group A racing rules from Europe. Group A was conceived by European carmakers to promote the cars they were building and selling to the public in their home markets, it was much like the old Production car rules here in the 1960s and ’70s.One of stipulations of Group A was that any carmaker wishing to compete had to build a run of 5000 production cars, after which they could then spin off a special racing model. It too had to be built and sold to the public, but it could have a number of special features aimed at making it a better racing car.The VN Commodore SS Group A was such a car. It was the last so-called ‘homologation special’ Holden built for Group A before the rules were changed to the current Supercar V8 formula, which doesn’t require any special models to be built in production.The VN Group A story really began under the bonnet. The fuel-injected 5.0-litre Holden V8 was virtually all new from top to bottom and produced 210 kW at 5200 revs and 400 Nm at 4000 revs. Under full acceleration it would race from 0 to 100 km/h in just over six seconds and account for the standing 400-metre sprint in 15 or so seconds. To cope with the torque Holden engineers equipped the VN Group A with a six-speed manual ZF gearbox lifted from the American Corvette.The suspension was thoroughly reworked with higher rate front and rear springs, heavier anti-roll bars, and Bilstein shocks all round. Special Holden designed 17x8-inch alloy wheels were wrapped in 235x45 17-inch Goodyear Eagle tyres to give it the grip it needed.Compared to the Walkinshaw VL that preceded it the VN Group A was fairly subtle. The body kit consisted of quite modest spoilers front and rear, neat side skirts, but a power bulge in the bonnet and a sizable boot lid wing gave it a measure of menace. Holden also developed a special red to satisfy their dealers’ desires for the VN to recall the early red VL Group A, but added a touch of blue to make a little less vibrant.IN THE SHOP Few of the 302 VN SS Group A Commodores Holden built would have been driven daily as a regular VN would have been. Most will have been used for play purposes and left to sit in the shed for most of their lives. But leaving a car unused for long periods can be a recipe for disaster so look for signs of regular use. Just starting them regularly and driving them around the block is not enough to keep them in good order, they need to be driven for long enough to thoroughly warm up the engine, gearbox and diff, and operate the brakes a number of times.The best cars are the ones that haven’t done a lot of kilometres, but have been looked after none the less. Before handing over your cash make sure it is a genuine VN Group A, never assume anything, and check to make sure it has all of the special equipment it should have.IN A CRASH Built prior to the widespread use of airbags the VN Commodore SS Group A has to rely on its body structure and seat belts in a crash. But it has a competent chassis package, responsive steering, good brakes and tyres, so there’s every chance a skilled driver could dodge a collision.OWNERS SAY Jamie Boatwood’s father-in-law bought a VN Group A in 1993 and he and his wife inherited it when his father passed away. Jamie was with him when he bought it and was allowed to drive it on very rare occasions over the years. He says it looks fantastic and drives beautifully. The twin throttle body set up matched with the six speed transmission make it a really special drive, the beauty is you can just ‘cruise’ and enjoy the experience or give it a boot full and hold on. He drives the car probably every four to six weeks and the rest of the time it remains warm and cozy under its car cover locked away safely.Con Sarvanakis has owned the fourth VN Commodore SS Group A built for six years. He bought it from a mate after his VL Commodore Group A had been stolen. He says he wanted a car with power that handled well on the track. He also says he love’s the VN’s shape and the fact that it’s a luxury car that can be driven hard or gently.LOOK FOR • tough muscle car looks• rare, but useable classic• awesome performance• last of the supercarsTHE BOTTOM LINE A classic Australian muscle car that can be driven daily and will in time appreciate in value.RATING 85/100

The Commodore is turning 25. Graham Smith tells you what they are worth today as used cars.  The first Commodore was smaller than the previous Kingswoods but boasted European running and handling gear. It topped the sales charts and was Wheels Car of the Year for 1978. Poor build quality and rust problems make it difficult to find a VB in good condition today.  A facelift of the VB with updated six-cylinder and V8 engines. For the first time there was a four-cylinder engine available but it was disappointing.  A smart new shadow tone two-tone paint scheme was available for the first time on the SL/E and made it even more attractive.  But build quality problems and rust plagued the VC; it's hard to find cars in decent condition. Another facelift of the first Commodore, the VH had more engine upgrades.  With Holden's ongoing build problems, including poor paint, good quality VH Commodores are hard to find. Values range from $600 to $3400.SS was introduced as a limited edition model and remains the most desirable. Be careful of cars that have been thrashed. This first major facelift featured louvred grille, plastic bumpers and new rear quarter window. New models included the Berlina and the luxury Calais. The four-cylinder and the small 2.8-litre six were dropped and the 3.3-litre became standard.  The 4.2-litre V8 was dropped, leaving the 5.0-litre as the only V8.Performance models, the SS and SS Group 3, were built with Peter Brock's HDT operation and are the most collectable VK models, along with the SS Group A which was designed for the new Group A touring car racing. New front and rear treatment, new slim headlights and a lip on the boot lid were features of the VL.  The Holden six, a faithful servant since 1963, was replaced by a Nissan imported 3.0-litre six, prone to over-heating and head damage.The V8 was replaced by a turbocharged Nissan six which put out 150kW, until public protest brought the V8 back by late 1986.  The VL SS Group A, finished in Permanent Red, is highly collectable today.TWR became Holden's performance partner in 1988 and their first creation was the TWR VL SS Group A, better known as the Batmobile for its wild body kit.  The VL is popular with young drivers today but be wary of cooling problems with the Nissan engine. The Commodore was being soundly beaten by the Ford Falcon in sales. Holden responded with a bigger car.  Power came from a fuel-injected 3.8-litre Buick V6 with an optional 5.0-litre V8.The SS is a popular model, while the Durif Red SS Group A is the most collectable.  However, cut-price engineering and poor build quality mean lots of tatty VNs now. A facelift of the VN with attractive styling changes. The V6 was refined and the 180kW HSV 5.0-litre V8 became an option over the standard 165 kW V8. SS is popular for a sporty ride, with the Calais a popular prestige choice. With new front and rear sheet metal and new head and tail lights, the VR was an attractive remake of the VN/VP.  Holden introduced driver's airbag standard and ABS and IRS available across the range.  SS and Calais remain the most sought models but the value-packed Acclaim is a popular family car.The new 3.8-litre ECOTEC V6 engine was smaller, lighter, smoother and more fuel efficient than previous.  A passenger's airbag, and improved remote central locking with an immobiliser, were added. The third all-new Commodore struck a decisive chord with buyers. It was longer, wider and had a longer wheelbase and roomier interior with more legroom and width than any previous Commodore.  The American Gen III V8 replaced the Aussie V8 in the 1999 Series II update.Generally without major problems, although the Gen III V8 has been plagued with oil consumption and piston rattle problems. Styling changes were minimal but the V6 now had 152kW and better fuel consumption thanks largely to new electronics, and the V8 was up to 225kW, courtesy of a higher flow inlet manifold and new fuel injectors.Changes to the front suspension produced more progressive steering, which aided handling. Rear suspension improvements make VX II the better choice. The jury is out on whether the VY, with sharp edges and hard lines, is an improvement on the VT/VX. Revised steering package delivered more handling improvements.V8 power jumped to 235 kW and was standard on SS and new SV8 sports model. Auto transmissions were refined.  VY will continue to roll off the production line until the VZ is launched in 2004.

Holden Commodore recalled because the LPG system may cut out or catch fire.