10 facts you may not have known about the VT
Complete VT Commodore Restoration Parts Checklist
VT, VX, VY & VZ Holden Commodore Buyers Guide
VT Holden Commodore Trim Levels
When the Holden VT Commodore was released – Australia in 1997
Australian Holden Part Finder
HQ Holden Belmont HQ
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
| Years | 1971–1974 |
|---|---|
| Body | Utility |
| Doors | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Engine(s) | 173 Red, 202 Red |
View the Holden Belmont model page →
Oils
Affiliate link: if you buy through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Browse by make/series
The VT Commodore is the 10th update of the Holden Commodore. Released in August 1997 and would stay in production until October 2000, spanning 38 months. The VT Series 2 debuted in 1999.
The VT Commodore was the first Commodore in the 3rd generation. It consisted of a number of changes to the VS.
The VT was the result of a $600 million development by Holden to improve its already popular Commodore. The investment paid off, with the VT Commodore being the best selling Commodore to date. Over 280 000 VT Commodores rolled off the production line and to this date, that figure has not been topped by any other Commodore.
VT VX VY VZ Commodore Repair Manual
The VT had a smoother, rounder look all round. The headlights were rounder as were the tail lights. The bonnet roof and boot had more of a slope and the panel in between the tail lights made a return.
The VT won Wheels Car of the Year in 1997. This made it the 4th Commodore to win the award.
The Monaro, released in 2001, based on the VT. It had not been seen in the Commodore era. The Monaro is a 2 door sports coupe based on the Holden Commodore.
The VT Commodore was the first Commodore to offer a 6 speed manual gearbox. It also offered a 5 speed manual and a 4 speed automatic.
The ECOTEC engine remained, carried over from the VS Commodore. However there was an engine change in the V8’s.
Production of the Aussie 5.0L stopped during the VT production run, replaced by an imported 5.7L Gen III unit when the VT series 2 came out.
The Aussie 5.0L, originally introduced in 1988 with the introduction of the VN Commodore built a reputation as a solid, low maintenance engine.
For the first time since the VL, the VT did not have an accompanying utility vehicle. Instead the VS utility carried over from the previous model and would continue in production until the year 2000, when the VX replaced the VT. Therefore the VT was only available as a sedan and a station wagon.
The VT was built on a new wheelbase. It was larger and heavier than previous Commodores.
Traction Control was first introduced in the VT. It was an option generally restricted to higher spec models. Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) became standard fitment across the range.
After quite possibly the most successful production run in the Commodore era, the VX replaced the VT in October 2000, just after the Sydney Olympics.