Holden · 1981–1984

Holden Commodore (VH)

The Holden Commodore (VH) is a mid-size car that was produced by Holden from 1981 to 1984. It was the third iteration of the first generation of the Holden Commodore.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Holden Commodore (VC) · Successor: Holden VK Commodore

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History

The VH Commodore was released on 5 October 1981. The frontal appearance was a mild facelift to the VC Commodore, with a new horizontal-slat grille and new lighting components designed to give a lower, wider look, and for interest of aerodynamics. It continued to be available as sedan and station wagon, with new taillight clusters utilized on sedan models. With the effects of the 1979 energy crisis ending, buyers gravitated towards the larger Ford Falcon rival, rather than the mid-size Commodore. Thus for the first time since its introduction, the Holden Commodore lost its position as Australia's best-selling car. Production of this model ceased in February 1984, to be replaced by the much further facelifted Holden Commodore (VK).

Powertrains

The engines were carried over but revisions were made to the 1.9- and 2.85-litre engines to improve fuel economy. Gains of 12.5 and 14 percent respectively were made to the city cycle fuel economy figures. Mechanical specifications were as before, except for an additional five-speed manual transmission which was an option only (due to the limits of the transmission-box) on the 1.9-litre four-cylinder and 2.85-litre straight six versions. A 4142 cc V8 engine (marketed as the 4.2 litre V8) was also available from the beginning. This was later complemented by the more powerful 5.0 litre V8. In New South Wales, due to more stringent emissions laws the 3.3-litre V8 and 5.0-litre V8 were not able to be optioned with a manual transmission.

Models

At the same time a reshuffle was made to the range—SL was now the base model and SL/X was introduced as the mid-range car, with SL/E remaining the top-of-the-line sedan. Wagons were available in SL and SL/X variants. In 1983 an 'Executive' pack of the base Commodore was introduced, primarily directed to fleet buyers. These cars featured automatic transmission and air-conditioning as part of a Commodore SL package, but had no distinguishable external identification badges. Special editions of Commodore released around Christmas 1981, 1982 and 1983 were badged 'Vacationer'. Commodore SL. The SL was the entry-level model, replacing the L. It came standard with the 2.8-litre I6 with a manual transmission, . It had the option for the 1.9-litre Starfire straight-four. Commodore SL/X. The SL/X was the mid-level model. It came standard with the 2.8 L I6 with an automatic transmission. It had the option for the 1.9 L Starfire. Commodore SL/E. The SL/E was the top-of-the-line luxury model. The SL/E was only available as a sedan, and could not be optioned with the Starfire engine, it came standard wit the 3.3-litre I6 with an automatic transmission. The SL/E also came available with optional cruise control and a trip computer, which measured average speed and fuel consumption. Commodore SS. The SS was the sports model, introduced in September 1982, The VH was the first Commodore to use the SS nameplate - for "Super Sport" - which remained a mainstay until 2017. It featured the 4.2 L V8 as standard, with an optional 5.0 L V8. It was supplemented by three up-spec versions produced by Peter Brock's HDT Special Vehicles company.

HDT range

The HDT models were named "SS Group One", "SS Group Two" and "SS Group Three", with the lattermost also featuring the Holden 5.0-litre V8 in a higher state of tune). The SS sedans were initially exclusively Maranello Red in colour, but were later also made available in Alabaster White. The Group Three-tuned V8 produced 184 kW (247 hp).

Exports

In Indonesia the only engine available was the 1.9-liter four, in SL/X trim and with a five-speed manual. Because of the absence of emissions controls in that market, power was higher than for Australian cars, at 59 kW (79 hp). After having been absent from the Malaysian market for nearly a decade, Almas Motors Corporation (AMC) brought the Holden brand back in 1983 with the VH Commodore. While Japanese cars had supplanted European imports in most of the market, there was still room for non-Japanese brands in the larger segments of the market. In New Zealand, the VH Commodore was locally assembled beginning in early 1982 at Trentham with the Starfire four and with the 3.3-litre six, sedans as well as station wagons. SL and SL/X trims were available. The higher equipped SL/E and V8-engined models were also available, imported fully built-up from Australia. Later on, the new Royale specification was added, exclusive to the local market. This was based on the well equipped SL/E trim, but fitted with the smallest engine, the 1.9-litre Starfire. This was a strong seller and the Royale was carried over into the subsequent VK, VKA (1986 NZ market VK), and the VL series.

Motorsport

The VH Commodore was first used in Australian Touring car racing in the 1982 Australian Touring Car Championship. Controversy reigned as the Holden Dealer Team attempted to run Peter Brock's car with yet-to-be homologated parts. Brock actually scored enough points to win the 1982 ATCC (using both the VC and VH), but was disqualified from all but two races of the series. Better was to come in the late season endurance races. With the HDT VH Commodore SS now properly homologated, Allan Grice drove his Commodore to pole position in the 1982 James Hardie 1000 at Mount Panorama with a time of 2:17.501 after earlier having been the first driver to lap the 6.172 km (3.835 mi) circuit in a touring car at better than 100 mph (161 km/h) with a lap of 2:17.8 in official qualifying. The Holden VH Commodore SS went on to fill the top four places in the race with the HDT Commodore of Peter Brock and Larry Perkins winning the race. The Commodore was still a major force in the 1983 Australian Touring Car Championship with both Grice and Brock each winning two of the eight round series. However, they were forced to give best to Allan Moffat and his smaller, lighter (and thus much better suited to the tight Australian tracks) Mazda RX-7. Moffat won four of the eight rounds, and with the emergence of the smaller capacity Nissan Bluebird turbo of George Fury, Brock and Grice finished only 3rd and 4th at the end of the championship. Further homologations grants from the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) in August 1983 saw the VH Commodore SS once again the car to beat. Peter Brock set pole position at the 1983 James Hardie 1000 (VH Commodores filled seven of the top 10 spots on the grid), and although his own car suffered a rare engine failure on lap 8 of the race, he and Perkin

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Specifications

name: Holden Commodore (VH)
Manufacturer: Holden (General Motors)
Production: October 1981 – February 1984
Assembly: Australia: Adelaide, South Australia (Elizabeth), Melbourne, Victoria (Dandenong), New Zealand: Wellington (Trentham)
Class: Mid-size
Platform: GM V platform
Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Body style: 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon
Related: Opel Rekord E, Opel Senator, Vauxhall Carlton
Engine: 1.9 L Starfire I4, 2.85 L Blue I6, 3.3 L Blue I6, 4.2 L Blue V8, 5.0 L Blue V8
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 2668 mm
Length: 4706 mm, 4730 mm (Wagon)
Width: 1722 mm
Height: 1363 mm
Kerb weight: 1152 kg – 1326 kg
Predecessor: Holden Commodore (VC)
Successor: Holden Commodore (VK)
Designer: Leo Pruneau
sp: uk