10 facts you may not have known about the VL
Holden VL Commodore paint codes
The VL Commodore was a major makeover of the previous model VK Commodore. It was the 5th Holden Commodore model and it would be the last update of the first generation of Holden Commodores. It would also be the last of the ‘mid size’ Commodores. The VL Commodore was in production for 30 months from February 1986 until August of 1988. VL Commodore production totaled units, the biggest number of a single model Commodore at the time. It was the first Commodore to break the 150 000 units produced plateau. At 30 months it was also in production for longer than any of the previous 4 Commodores.
The VL had a number of major changes made to it. The interior, the exterior and the engine were vastly different from the previous model VK.
The VL used a new engine. An imported 3.0L RB30E straight 6 engine, designed in Japan by Nissan. The reason this engine got the nod instead of tweaking the VK’s black engine came about because all cars manufactured in Australia from January 1 1986 had to run on unleaded fuel. Due to exchange rates, it was more financially viable to import an engine instead of making changes to the current one. Despite initial scepticism from the buying public, the RB30E won over the Australian market as evident from sales figures. However the engine did lack low down torque which is good for towing. The engine gained a reputation as having a smooth and quite ride. The RB30E powers the Nissan Skyline of the same era.
6 months into its release a 150kW (200hp) turbocharged RB30ET version of the Nissan engine made its debut. A very popular engine at the time, it is still popular today.
The 5.0L V8, released in October 1986. made 122kW (164hp) of power. Initially the V8 had a carburettor, Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) introduced later in the run. V8 VL’s are not as common as other models. The VL Turbo sold in higher numbers . Although both the 6 cylinder engines had been imported, the V8 was still Australian designed and produced.
The VL Commodore, available with 3 different engines, 2 straight 6’s, one of them being turbocharged and a 4.9L Black V8. Transmission options were slightly different, with no 4 speed manual, but instead a 5 speed manual, a 4 speed automatic and a 3 speed automatic.
The styling of the VL softer, tweaked to give it a softer smoother less aggressive look. The headlights were slimmer and rounder. The VL Calais headlights had retracting covers that partially covered the headlights when they were not turned on. The grille was two small bars with the Holden logo in the middle, the VL Calais had a transparent grille. The end of the boot was styled to resemble a small spoiler at the end. The VL also had a lower front end.
198 Calais wagons made it off the production line, a first for Holden.
The VL, built on the same size wheelbase as the previous 4 Commodores, however this would be the last Commodore to use this wheelbase. The dimensions of the car were also relatively similar to the previous Commodores.
Prices for the base model SL started at $13 830, the Calais, priced from $23 540.