David Clark is a committed Classic Holden Car enthusiast. Follow his travels in his much loved 1966 Holden Special Station Wagon
For more information on David’s travels go to his website, click on this link http://thehrholden.wordpress.com/
Todays 2010 VE Holden Commodore Omega leads the race to be Australia’s top selling family sedan.
2010 VE Holden Commodore Omega
Specifications
3.0L 60-degree Double Overhead Cam V6 with 4 valves per cylinder. Twin knock control sensors with individual cylinder adaptive control. On-board diagnostics. Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI)
Power
190kW @ 6700rpm (ECE, kW)
Torque
290Nm @ 2900rpm (ECE, Nm)
Transmission
6-speed auto with Active Select
Fuel economy 9.3 (L/100km)
Recommended fuel
E10, ULP or PULP for slightly higher performance
Fuel tank capacity 73 Litres
Brakes
Four wheel disc. Ventilated discs – front and rear. Twin piston alloy front caliper, single piston alloy rear caliper
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Incorporating: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Brake Assist (EBA), Traction Control System (TCS)
Suspension (front)
Direct acting stabiliser bar. Coil spring
Suspension (rear)
Multi-Link Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). Coil spring. Stabiliser bar
Steering
Variable ratio rack and pinion
Wheelbase: 2915 mm…Track front: 1602 mm…Rear: 1618 mm
Length: 4894 mm…Width: 1899 mm…Height: 1476 mm
1993 VR Commodore
Holds the title of the most-awarded Australian car. It featured significant styling changes, highlighted by a distinctive twin port grille and a large central air intake, improved ride and handling, extra comfort and convenience features. Increased primary and secondary safety levels included the first driver’s airbag fitment.
1993 VR Holden Commodore
The new, safety-orientated Acclaim model offered IRS, ABS and seat belt webbing clamps. Further changes included a soft-form, wrap-around instrument panel, adjustable steering column, CFC-free air conditioning and clever electronic security.
The VR Series was more than a simple facelift of the VP Commodore, the only body panels being carried over were the roof and the door skins.
The shape was now softer and more aerodynamic, and with additions such as the first Australian built car to offer a driver’s airbag, the VR was unquestionably superior in every department over previous iterations.
There was also a new electronic automatic transmission, and a new engine/auto computer module (IPCM 6) boasting a larger capacity memory module which proved considerably faster than the previous model.
Now standard on all models were the body computer, power mirrors, tachometer and gas bonnet struts.
There was a new security system, and some minor improvements to the V6, making the engine both smoother and marginally more powerful, while reducing fuel consumption.
The interior benefited from a softer looking dash and instrument panel, a smaller diameter steering wheel, while the VR was now fitted with a tilt/telescopic steering column adjustment.
The VR Series II was introduced in September 1994, and boasted heaps of improvements including
Most revered (apart from HSV models) was the SS, naturally enough fitted with the 5.0 litre V8, although you could option it with a HSV enhanced unit good for 185kW. The SS featured an integrated brake light within the rear wing, along with an aerodynamically designed rear bumper. The grille was blacked out, and featured red highlights, while fog-lamps were integrated into the front bumper.
VR COMMODORE
1993 – 1995
Engine: 6 cyl. & V8
Capacity: 3.8 litre EFI V6; 5.0 V8 EFI
Power:130kW (V6) & 165kW (V8)
Transmission: 5 spd. man & 4 spd. Turbohydramatic
Base price when new: $25,302.
Total built: 165,262
1991 VP Commodore
Subtle styling changes, including headlamps and turn lenses that wrapped into the front guards, engineering refinements and equipment upgrades characterised the VP range.
1991 Holden Commodore VP
This model saw the introduction of independent rear suspension (IRS) and anti-lock brakes (ABS). All models featured remote central locking and a sophisticated anti-theft system. Calais had a body computer which controlled a range of functions, including speed-sensitive power steering and automatic lights out.
The VP Holden Commodore was always going to be a face-lifted VN, however there were considerable and detailed improvements made over the latter model. Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) was introduced, fitted as standard equipment on the Calais and Commodore SS and optional across the range, the system being adapted from the long wheelbase VQ.
On the exterior the Holden engineers kept changes to a minimum, the futuristic looking clear acrylic cover running across the length and at the top of the grille of the Executive model always being contentious (others models used a colour coded version).
1991 – 1993
Engine: 6 cyl. & V8
Capacity: 3.8 litre EFI V6 and 5.0 litre V8 EFI
Power: 127kW (V6) & 165kW (V8)
Transmission: 5 spd. man / 4 speed Turbohydramatic 700
Number Built: 92,860
Base price when new: $23,992.
Total built: 111,770
EJ Holden
In 1962 Holden launched a completely new, lower-profile streamlined body with more interior space, new foam-padded seating and better all-round visibility.
EJ Holden the 1 millionth classic holden car comes off the production line
The “Premier” model was introduced and the name “Premier”, was to be identified with luxury Classic Holden Cars for 16 years. The EJ Premier, first with standard metallic paint and auto transmission, offered leather trim bucket seats, heater, carpet, floor console and whitewalls. The EJ had Duo Servo brakes, strengthened front suspension, safety belt anchorages.
Base price when new:
£1051 ($2,102).
Total built: 154,811
Holden EJ Specifications
Model: EJ Year: 1962/1963
Car Engine: 2262 ccm (137,34 cubic inches)
Car Engine type: in-line, 6-cyl
Car Max power: 65.00 PS (47,76 kW or 63,68 HP) at 4200 Rev. per min.
Car Max torque: 163.00 Nm (16,52 kgf-m or 119,60 ft.lbs) at 1400 Rev. per min.
Car Fuel: Gasoline Car Power per weight: 0.0575 PS/kg
Car Drive: Rear Car Passenger space: 4610 litres (1211,91 gallons)
Car Country of origin: Australia Car Weight: 1134 kg (2487,50 pounds)
Car total length: 4500 mm (176,31 inches) Car total width: 1740 mm (68,16 inches)
Car total height: 1480 mm (58,01 inches) Car Wheelbase: 2680 mm (104,97 inches)
Car Front brakes type: Drums Car Rear brakes type: Drums
Join a Holden Car Club in Australia, meet with club members at swap meets and rallies and see first hand, Classic Holden Cars.
Links:
EJ EH Holden Club of Queensland
The immortalized HK Holden Kingswood has set a new benchmark for Classic Holden Cars at a recent motor vehicle auction in Melbourne.
HK Holden Kingswood
The 41 year old White HK Series Holden Kingswood 253V8 sedan, converted to run on LPG, unregistered and with no reserve price, sold for a staggering $17,000.
The record price shows an increased value of 675% on its’ original new car launch price.
That’s not a bad result on the initial investment for an Australian built motor car.
To give you some idea of this amazing result, at the same auction, a 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow sold for a mere $12,500. It would have cost a tad more than that when new!
No wonder the HK Holden Kingswood is one of the Classic Holden Cars
(1) 1971 HQ (485,650) Price new $2,730
(2) 1998 VT (303,895) Price new $29,760
(3) 1995 VS (277,774) Price new $26,780
(4) 2004 VZ (261,238) Price new $33,160
(5) 1963 EH (256,959) Price new $2,102
(6) 1966 HR (252,352) Price new $2,167
(7) 2002 VY (241,909) Price new $30,880
(8) 1988 VN (215,180) Price new $20,014
(9) 2000 VX (207,339) Price new $28,900
(10) 1958 FC (191,724) Price new $2,220
(Prices quoted at the point of production)
