Holden Commodore VL Turbo - today's tempter

By: Spencer Leech, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 21.12.2016

These Commodores now have a strong cult following.

VL turbos are coming into their own as a collector car.

Okay, were a bit biased when it comes to the VL Turbo. In fact it's one of our favourite Holdens of all time. So when a reasonably unmolested example pops up in the classifieds, were interested.

What makes the car so special, came about almost by accident. Holden had tried to adjust its old pushrod six to work with the changing unleaded petrol, but couldn't, well not easily anyway. So the Aussie brand went searching for a new heart for the forthcoming VL, and settled on the RB30 six-cylinder engine, a donk made famous by the Nissan Skyline.

Months after releasing the new Nissan-powered VL, Holden introduced a much-faster Turbo model. Same motor, but with a nice little snail attached, which really got the RB30 going.

For traditionalists, Holden also released a five-litre V8 VL Commodore, but it was completely outmatched by the more refined and more powerful turbocharged six. 

The Turbo had a choice of five-speed manual or a four-speed auto and had bigger brakes and firmer suspension as standard.

Here we have on offer a 1986 Holden VL Commodore Calais Turbo, in white, for $17,500. The car doesn't come with registration or a roadworthy certificate, so you'd need to check it carefully.

Fortunately, the seller will provide the buyer with the original mags.

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