Date of Introduction
March 17 1980 to October 1981.
On sale for about 19 months
Model Line Up
Commodore L sedan (8VK69)
Commodore L station wagon (8VK35)
Commodore SL sedan (8VL69)
Commodore SL station wagon (8VL35)
Commodore SL/E sedan (8VX69)
Commodore SL/E wagon (8VL35) (A9Y)
Commodore Vacationer sedan (8VK69) (XW4)
Commodore Vacationer wagon (8VK35) (XW4)
Commodore 50th anniversary sedan (8VK69) (A9J)
HDT Commodore sedan (Brock Commodore) (8VX69) (V8Q)
4 cylinder models had the option code: L18
Vacationer models had the option code: XW4
Prices at Time of Introduction
$7 403 (Commodore 4 Cylinder L Sedan)
$7 795 (Commodore 4 Cylinder L Wagon)
$7 903 (Commodore L six-cylinder sedan)
$8 295 (Commodore L 6 cylinder Wagon)
$9 421 (Commodore SL six-cylinder sedan)
$12 737 (Commodore SL/E six-cylinder sedan)
$8 944 (Commodore Vacationer Sedan)
$9 580 (Commodore Vacationer Wagon)
$19 800 (HDT Holden Commodore VC) (add $200 for Automatic Transmission)
Identification Information
Similar body to VB but with new ‘egg-crate’ hatched grille; Holden badge mounted centre of grille and centre of boot; the word ‘Commodore’ on curb-side of boot; model name set into rubber protector strip on front doors.
Engines
Startfire 1.9 Straight 4
Option Number: L18
Engine Prefix: VN
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four-stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 1.892 litres (115 cubic inches)
Number of cylinders: Four
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel system: GM Strasbourg Varajet II, twin barrel downdraft carburettor
Bore and stroke: 88.9 x 76.2mm (3.50 x 3.00 inches)
Power output: 58kW (78bhp) at 4600 rpm
Torque: 140Nm (103lbs/ft) at 2400 rpm
Compression ratio: 8.7:1
2.85 Straight 6
Option Number: LD1
Engine Prefix: VD
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four-stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 2.838 litres (173 cubic inches)
Number of cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel system: GM Strasbourg Varajet II, twin barrel downdraft carburettor
Bore and stroke: 88.9 x 76.2mm (3.50 x 3.00 inches)
Power output: 76kW (102bhp) at 4400rpm
Torque: 192Nm (142lbs/ft) at 2800rpm
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
3.3 Straight 6
Option Number: L14
Engine Prefix: VL
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four-stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 3.298 litres (201 cubic inches)
Number of cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel system: GM Strasbourg Varajet II twin barrel downdraft carburettor
Bore and stroke: 92.1 x 82.5mm (3.63 x 3.25 inches)
Power output: 83kW (111bhp) at 4000rpm
Torque: 231Nm (170 lbs/ft) at 2400rpm
Compression ratio: 8.8:1
4.2 V8
Option Number: L36
Engine Prefix: VR
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four-stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 4.142 litres (253 cubic inches)
Number of cylinders: Eight
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, with cylinders arranged in a vee
Head design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Rochester Quadrajet four barrel downdraft carburettor, M4MC
Bore and stroke: 92.1 x 77.8mm (3.63 x 3.06 inches)
Power output:
100kW (134bhp) at 4200rpm (single exhaust);
115kW (154bhp) at 4400rpm (Dual Exhaust)
Torque:
269Nm (198lbs/ft) at 2000rpm (single exhaust)
289Nm (213lbs/ft) at 3200rpm (dual exhaust)
Compression ratio: 9:1
5.0 V8
Option Number: L31
Engine Prefix: VT
Type: Conventional, watercooled, four-stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 4.142 litres (253 cubic inches)
Number of cylinders: Eight
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, with cylinders arranged in a vee
Head design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Rochester Quadrajet 4 BBL downdraft carburettor, M4MC
Bore and stroke: 101.6 x 77.7mm (4.00 x 3.06 inches)
Power output: 126kW (169bhp) at 4200rpm (dual exhaust)
Torque: 352Nm (266lbs/ft) at 2600rpm (dual exhaust)
Compression ratio: 9.2:1
Transmissions
Manual
Type: Torquemaster MC6 four-speed manual for 6 Cylinder
Option Number: MC6
Location Floor Shift
Compatible with: 6 Cylinder only
1st: 3.50:1
2nd: 2.02:1
3rd: 1.41:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.57:1
Type: Torquemaster MC6 four-speed manual for
Application: 1.9 L4
Option Code: MC6
Location Floor Shift
1st: 3.75:1
2nd: 2.16:1
3rd: 1.38:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.82:1
Type: Four-speed Torquemaster manual
Option Code M20
Application: 2.85L i6, 3.3L i6 and 253 V8
Location Floor Shift
1st: 3.05:1
2nd: 2.19:1
3rd: 1.15:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.05:1
Type: Four-speed manual
Option Code: M20
Application: 4.2 V8
Location Floor Shift
1st: 3.05:1
2nd: 2.19:1
3rd: 1.15:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.05:1
Type: Four-speed manual
Option Code: M21
Application: 5.0L V8
Location Floor Shift
1st: 2.54:1
2nd: 1.83:1
3rd: 1.38:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.54:1
Automatic
Type: Three-speed Trimatic auto
Option Code: M40
Application: 3.3L i6, 4.2L V8
Location Floor Shift
1st: 2.31:1
2nd: 1.46:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 1.85:1
Type: Three-speed Turbohydramatic 350 auto
Option Code: M38
Application: 5.0 V8
Location Floor Shift
1st: 2.48:1
2nd: 1.48:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.08
Rear Axle Ratios
GM-H Large Salisbury
Option Number: G70
Ratio: 2.60:1
GM-H Small Salisbury
Option Number: GU7
Ratio: 2.78:1
GM-H Small or Large Salisbury
Option Number: GU4
Ratio: 3.08:1
GM-H Small or Large Salisbury
Option Number: GV4
Ratio: 3.36:1
GM-H Small or Large Salisbury
Option Number: GV7
Ratio: 3.55:1
GM-H Small Salisbury (4 Cylinder)
Option Number: GU8
Ratio: 3.90:1
LSD optional
Option Number: G80
Application:
1.9 i4
Four-speed: 3.90:1
Three-speed: automatic: 3.90:1
2.85 i6
Four-speed: 3.55:1
3.3 i6
Four-speed 3.36:1, 3.36:1 LSD
Three-speed Trimatic M40: 308:1, 3.36:1 LSD
4.2 V8
Three-speed Trimatic M40: 2.78:1, 3.08:1 LSD
Four-speed: 3.08:1, 3.36:1 LSD
5.0 V8
Four-speed M21: 3.36:1 LSD
Three-speed Turbohydramatic M38: 2.60:1, 3.08:1 LSD
Clutch
Single dry plate. Belleville diaphragm pressure plate spring. Mechanical cable operation.
Chassis
Unitary construction (Monocoque)
Suspension
Front:Independent MacPherson ‘wet’ strut design, coil springs, 24mm stabiliser bar. (26mm in wagons)
Rear: (with axle type):Rear axle: Salisbury type. Rigid axle, 4 trailing arms and a panhard rod, progressive rate coil springs, twin tube telescopic dampers, 14mm diameter stabiliser bar (i6 engine). 16 mm diameter on V8 engine, and i6 with air conditioning, 19mm diameter V8 with air conditioning. No stabiliser bar on Commodore 4 or wagon.
Steering
Coaxial rack and pinion, direct linkage from rack to steering arms, L, SL.
Power steering is integral hydraulically assisted rack and pinion, std. SL/E, all V8 models. Manual steering overall steering ratio 19.9:1. Turns lock to lock, 4.1. Power Steering-overall ratio 15.8 to 1, 3.3 turns lock to lock.
Brakes
Front:Ventilated disc 268mm diameter, with single piston, sliding head lightweight calliper.
Rear:Self adjusting leading trailing show drum, 229mm diameter or solid disc 274mm diameter, with lightweight calliper.
Electrical
12 Volt, 7 plate for i4 and i6, 9 plate for V8 (optional on i4). 48 A/H i6, 61 A/H V8. Alternator with integral voltage regulator. 14 volt 40 amp. (13.5 volt 55 amp, with air conditioning) Commodore 4: Contact breaker type ignition system. TVRS neoprene type 7mm. Commodore i6 and V8: High energy breakerless ignition with 8mm silicone insulated fibreglass core ignition leads.
Exhaust
I4:cast iron manifold with single seam welded exhaust and tailpipe. Reverse flow front muffler, straight through rear muffler.
I6:cast iron exhaust manifold with single seam welded steel exhaust and tail pipe with 2 reverse flow mufflers.
V8, standard:dual cast iron exhaust manifolds with single crossover pipe. Single seam welded steel exhaust and tail pipe with two reverse flow mufflers.
V8, optional:dual pipes with three mufflers.
Wheels
Commodore 4 – L and SL: 5.5JJ x 13 pressed steel wheels
L and SL: 6.00JJ X 14 pressed steel wheels;
SL/E: Cast Allow 6.00JJ X 15.
Tyres
BR78S13 Steel Belted Radial: L, SL four cylinder sedan and wagon.
CR78S14 4P/R Steel Belted Radial: L, SL six cylinder sedan and wagon.
CR78H14 6P/R Steel Belted Radial: L, SL V8 Sedan
BR60H15 6P/R Steel Belted Radial: SL/E
Exterior Dimensions (Sedan)
Total length: 4706mm (185.28 inches) L, SL; 4730mm (186.22 inches) SL/E
Total width: 1722mm (67.80 inches) L, SL; 1736mm (68.35 inches) SL/E
Total height at kerb weight: 1391mm (54.29 inches) L; 1375mm (54.13 inches) SL; 1368mm (53.86 inches) SL/E.
Wheelbase: 2668mm (105.00 inches)
Front track: 1451mm (57.13 inches)L, SL; 1449mm (57.05 inches) SL/E
Rear track: 1416mm (55.75 inches) L, SL; 1422mm (55.98 inches) SL/E
Kerb weight: 1158kg (2553lb) 4 L; 1218kg (2685lb) L; 1262kg (2782lb) SL; 1348kg (2971lb) SL/E
Turning circle kerb to kerb: 10.2 meters (33ft) L, SL; 10.8 meters (35ft) SL/E
Fuel Tank capacity: 63 litres (13.85 gallons)
Boot capacity: 382 litres