1990 HSV VN SV5000 – Today’s Weekend Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 01.09.2018

Looking a little sad, but looks like it can be saved!

Our brothers at Wheels Magazine pitched the then-new HSV VN SV5000 against Europe’s most capable and potent sport sedans, and stated "European high-tech was no substitute for fuel-injected Australian cubes. The SV5000 simply drove away".

The VN generation Commodore arrived in 1988, it was underpinned by the Opel Omega, and was bigger than the preceding VB-VL series both inside and out.

It was a breakout car and a generational leap, offering two fuel-injected engine options – a 3.8lt V6 and the 5.0lt V8. A Borg-Warner T5 manual or a Hydra-Matic auto with overdrive were new gearbox offerings, also new were disc brakes at all four corners, and a new European-inspired interior.

With the demise of HDT, HSV took on the role of producing hotted-up Commodores, and took the VN; and stuffed new pistons, higher compression, bigger valves, new camshaft, throttle body, knock sensor and cold air intake into the big 5.0.

The exterior gained a unique body kit and 16" wheels, as well as bigger brakes and stiffer suspension.

This VN SV5000 bears all original gear, matching numbers and all.

Looking a little worse for wear, it’s clearly been used – with 234229kms posted on the odo.

It does run and drive, and could still be saved with a fair effort resto.

Everything is there, and advertised for $25,000 – the opportunity is there for a keen enthusiast to bring this old girl back to its former glory.

The car is available at Australian Muscle Car Sales in NSW. You can check out the full listing here!

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