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castellan Offline
#101 Posted : Wednesday, 11 September 2019 8:26:58 AM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Warren Turnbull Go to Quoted Post
Originally Posted by: wbute Go to Quoted Post
So have progressed any further from the single Statesman with 308 and M21?


If you go down the path of cars in different option combinations then remember that you could build nearly 2 million different HK Holdens (more like 3 Million by the time the Ute, Monaro and Brougham were released) and they only made 200,000 of them. So although there are many the same, there would be hundreds, if not thousands, of single build combination.

The most interesting known car that comes to mind is a HK Belmont sedan, only option was 4 speed. Story goes they replaced a Morris and the wife like the 4 on the floor in the Morris.


Good move as I hated them 3 sp on the tree crap, I would never of bought one new with 3 on the tree I am sure, if I was made to by a HQ Kingswood 202 it would be a 4sp.

I remember back in the days many a son had a dad that would not let him buy a V8, so, then I would of been looking at a VG 245 Pacer or 265 VH Pacer with 3 on the floor then for sure until they came out with the 4 sp. It's only a Wog chariot dad I know but it will have to make do for now eh. he may want to test drive it, so I would have to back the timing off say 16 deg or so I would think to get away with it then or maybe close the plug gaps up.
Back in them days many a dad would be used to Holden Grey motors performance and thought a 202 was a very good performing car.
HK1837 Offline
#102 Posted : Wednesday, 11 September 2019 9:08:25 AM(UTC)
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In full hindsight, until Monaro was released the only manual HK you’d want would be an M15 optioned all synchro 3spd column shift. Later you could option a Saginaw 4spd in most 6cyl cars or you got it standard on a HK commercial if you ordered a 4spd. If you were a young fella and were going to fang it a bit especially if you modded it a bit you wouldn’t have wanted the standard M20 4spd. But you’d have been buying it new as I don’t think GMH made many passenger HK with 6cyl and M22, fair few commercials though.

If I could time jump I’d be going to somewhere like Southern Motors and getting them to order me a HK Kingswood Ute in Silver Mink with red trim, cloth inserts, bucket seats, 307 manual with 3.36 Salisbury, D70 tyres (which gets you 6” rims and GTS caps), radius rods, front discs and A/C. That would be real close to a 1/1 car. So would the same thing but with 186S (which of course would have a banjo).

Edited by user Wednesday, 11 September 2019 9:11:35 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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crowe Offline
#103 Posted : Wednesday, 11 September 2019 9:30:57 PM(UTC)
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Rarest????
Well l was washing my VZ 6L SS Crewman the other day and this is my take-
Sedan, Wagons, Ute's, Coupes & Panel Vans, are not rare!!!!
We've had them all for years in different models.
Yes different colours, engines, transmissions & options etc etc I get that.
BUT a 4 door Ute??? And only MY06 got a 6 Litre. For a run of 16 months approx??? (No 6L cross 8)
Cross 8 & 6 Wagons & Crewman's, our 4x4 attempt on the market. That's a one off direction and attempt!!!
Yes we had 500 batches made for racing etc but were still a Sedan or Coupe.
So have a think and look forward to your feed back
Ta
CROWE


HK1837 Offline
#104 Posted : Wednesday, 11 September 2019 9:50:25 PM(UTC)
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There were 6.0L Cross8’s. I’ve seen at least two.
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Dr Terry Offline
#105 Posted : Thursday, 12 September 2019 7:44:56 AM(UTC)
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Yes, plenty of Cross8 6.0 Crewmans. They were built up until August 2006.

Dr Terry
If at first you don't succeed, just call it Version 1.0
crowe Offline
#106 Posted : Thursday, 12 September 2019 9:35:51 PM(UTC)
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Well didn't know that.
So a MY06 6L 4 door cross8 Ute. Now there's a rare batch of car.
So only a 8 month run!!
Dr Terry Offline
#107 Posted : Friday, 13 September 2019 7:52:02 AM(UTC)
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When it comes to rare later models, the VZ AWD are all a bit rare.

The VZ 5.7 V8 Crewmen was released in April 05 & ceased production in Dec 05, so like the 6.0 version only went for 8 months.

I believe the Cross6 One-Tonner to be even more rare, I only ever seen one ! Again they were only made from April to December 05 (8 months) but less popular than the Crewman V8 AWD.

I believe that the Cross6 Crewman was a much better seller. Much better fuel economy with the LY7 V6.

Dr Terry
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HK1837 Offline
#108 Posted : Friday, 13 September 2019 8:07:29 AM(UTC)
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I wanted to buy a AWD tonner but bloody Holden got it wrong again and only offered it with a V6. Like the V6 crewman it was pretty useless as it could only tow 2100kg which is not quite enough to tow a car float with a Holden on it. The V8 Crewman and Cross8 were rated for 2500kg. I did look at a really low kM X6 tonner at one stage to buy a wrecked Adventra and put the V8 stuff in it, but I would have been stuck with the 2100kg towing as there was no V8 version for the Engineer to compare with. The V8 VZ 1-tonner was 2250kg towing which just fits for me and it is the same as my 2011 Hilux, but it is borderline for my trailer and a Monaro, have to make sure there is nothing in the car on the trailer, not even fuel.
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Shearer Offline
#109 Posted : Friday, 13 September 2019 12:12:41 PM(UTC)
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South Australian Police force took delivery of a small batch of VZ 6.0 litre Executives autos for Highway Patrol. A wolf in sheep’s clothing; complete with Exec hubcaps and a single non chrome exhaust tip. The only clue was the 6.0 litre badge on the lower front guards.

I’m not sure on the build numbers as each car classified has a difference build number.

Edited by user Friday, 13 September 2019 12:13:32 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

wbute Offline
#110 Posted : Friday, 13 September 2019 1:22:52 PM(UTC)
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The topic was, which is the rarest Holden. The answer is there are possibly 100’s of single number cars built by Holden.
What is the most desirable single number Holden? Well that’s entirely up to the individual.
Effectively, it seems as soon as someone actually made the dealer order a car that wasn’t a stock order or a simple common order, it potentially could become a single number build car.
hainzy Offline
#111 Posted : Tuesday, 5 May 2020 12:21:18 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: commodorenut Go to Quoted Post
Yes, that handle is exactly the same as fitted to VK/VL, so it's easy to find. If you don't have one, I have a few spares - you can have one for the cost of postage.


Gday Mick. Is it still cool to grab that handle from you? Ill send you a PM. Cheers mate.
HK1837 Offline
#112 Posted : Tuesday, 5 May 2020 1:58:12 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: wbute Go to Quoted Post
The topic was, which is the rarest Holden. The answer is there are possibly 100’s of single number cars built by Holden.
What is the most desirable single number Holden? Well that’s entirely up to the individual.
Effectively, it seems as soon as someone actually made the dealer order a car that wasn’t a stock order or a simple common order, it potentially could become a single number build car.


I’d like HK 80737 3-A. This was the XT2 GTS as far as I know, the car that was the pilot GTS327 used for the Director’s showing and I think ended up in the UK. This is a one off car as it is a GTS as in 80737 but optioned with the L34 engine package via code XT2 which is L34, M21, G88 plus the other bits that came along with it. It was Warwick Yellow with black trim of course. Probably rusted away in the UK somewhere.

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Smitty2 Offline
#113 Posted : Tuesday, 5 May 2020 10:28:53 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: wbute Go to Quoted Post
[quote=HK1837;176795]..........................

I think I told you before about our neighbours HZ Kingswood station wagon, factory 5 litre, M21, sports dash and integrated factory air.
Unfortunately it’s been wrecked now and I couldn’t get the plates off it for you.


my first GMH company vehicle was a HZ Premier wagon, 308 M21 4 speed, and with just about every other
option listed. Sports dash instruments and wheel (in black) GTS wheels with chrome trim ring, passenger
external mirror etc etc. but no roof rack. Magnificent in Atlantis Blue...

It got sold on the lot out the back ... ex-company cars being sold to dealers on auction back then
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HK1837 Offline
#114 Posted : Wednesday, 6 May 2020 6:51:37 AM(UTC)
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HZ L31 M21 Premier is infinitely rarer than a Kingswood as it is special order. L31 was a normal option on Kingswood and came standard with M21 but on Premier auto was standard, M21 not normally available. Here is a sedan:

https://www.australianmu...l-v8-speed-manual-244112
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Smitty2 Offline
#115 Posted : Wednesday, 6 May 2020 6:15:03 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: hainzy Go to Quoted Post
Originally Posted by: Warren Turnbull Go to Quoted Post
67 VC SL/E Wagons would be up/down there.

VP V6 SS, Holden's last Bathurst special, 150 built
VH top 30

Lots of limited production, but also dealer ordered special would be another category:

Suttons GTS Panel van
Pattersons 50th anniversary HQ


Ive just scored myself a VC SLE wagon Warren. Its been sitting in a paddock and ive been chasing it for about 2 years. The owner finally caved in to my constant badgering! ha.

Apparently only about 25 were made in the end as the head honchos stopped the program. A bloke on the just commodores forum who used to work at GMH in the early 80s said it was due to the wagons wheel arches being different and they couldnt properly fit the SLE wheels in there without massaging the lip. So they were never properly engineered and should never have legally been sold.


the issue was that the tyres fitted to the 15" alloys (sedan alloys by the way) on the VC SL/E wagons...
GM had a worldwide engineering policy on wagon tyres .... they needed to be a load rating much above the sedans
(except for Police BOY2 and BT1, Govt V6S and some fleet A9K and Country XW5 which also got upgraded tyres)

15" 60 series tyres (code QFL ) were only a 4 ply rating and QBC a BR60H15 tyre again designated for 69 style vehicles only

the other issue was... fitting a 15" wheel with a higher load rating tyre into the wagons' rear wheel well
without damaging the rear endgate washer pump and reservoir. It was proved trying this did cause damage ....

So there was simply no engineering approval in place to fit tyres intended (and approved only) for 69 style vehicles
to any wagon. Strictly... all SL/E wagons were illegal and Joe Whitesell nearly got Chapman to approve
scrapping the lot. All 50+ of them .... ! Sanity did prevail and there were some quick ECS bulletins written up
to cover a few people arses


final comment... it was John Bagshaw who originally thought up an 8VX35 SL/E wagon (it was only a 'nice to have' when VB came out)
but he nicked off overseas before tempers got frayed. Poor ol' John Loveridge got the job of sorting this and selling them ...



ps... dealer specials? don't forget the VS Commodore SLR/5000

Edited by user Wednesday, 6 May 2020 6:16:36 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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Smitty2 Offline
#116 Posted : Wednesday, 6 May 2020 6:32:09 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: commodorenut Go to Quoted Post
Tyres still doesn't account for the fact you could get the alloys on VC SL wagons (and VH SL/X).
Early commodores were light enough not to be encroaching on any load rating, even when fully loaded with a V8 and power options.
(and bear in mind everything in the way of mod-cons in the VC SL/E wagon was available at extra cost on the VH SL/X wagon just a year later too), with the exception of the tailgate applique.

The 8VL35 coding is common knowledge, especially as the VL Calais wagon had the same 8VL35, with the option pack of A9Y stamped additionally on the plate.
Although I have read posts on that very forum in the early 2000s with people claiming to have VH wagons with 8VX35 on the tags.....

I'm still not buying that it snuck out and was stopped. Look at the wagon tailgate applique around the lock - it's an Opel part, and requires special holes to be drilled. It would have had to be engineered as no other wagon had it. The special trim done by Ashlors - as mentioned in the brochure too. And the brochure! These were well known about at many levels to have come that far along.

I still agree with Norm Darwin's musings that costs are what killed it - they under-estimated just how expensive all the unique processes and parts would be, and the cost accountants are the ones who had it tanked.


Mick...
alloys were never a factory fit on VB VC or VH wagons of any luxo level.. not on 8VK35 and 8VL35 models
I write this with the VB VC and VH Production pack and options lists in front of me... no wagon came standard
or could have an alloy wheel/tyre fitted. The VAP BOMs I have also support this.

It did sneak out, and as it had no approval the whole batch was to be scrapped (Whitesell was so angry)
but Chapman made him see sense, got the engineers to put the necessary engineering ECS bulletins
in place and the product planning committee sign it off .It was now legal

Manufacturing had made a vehicle model that Sales and MArketing wanted... and had bypassed Engineering approval
(and essentially Board approval too) BIG No-No ...

I know Norm Darwin (we catch up at the Holden employees lunches now and then) and he is wrong about the costs.
I was one of the cost accountants (I was in charge of national VAP Production costing at the time) and what stopped
VC SL/E wagons was how they came to be .

It is worthwhile noting that GMH learnt their lesson with VC and did it all by the book with VL.

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HK1837 Offline
#117 Posted : Wednesday, 6 May 2020 10:15:57 PM(UTC)
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Makes sense Smitty. Does seem odd though about the normal passenger tyres not being allowed on wagons though when GMH had been fitting 4ply passenger tyres to Holden ute and van since mid HJ and continued to do so until the end of 1974. The GVW and axle maximum loading were severely restricted though to the point that they were essentially useless for carrying load, especially when towing. They were 14” tyres though but were the N67 alloy rally wheels from mid 1978.
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Smitty2 Offline
#118 Posted : Wednesday, 6 May 2020 10:26:31 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: commodorenut Go to Quoted Post
That particular forum has been the source of so much rubbish over the years I'm not surprised at yet another one. Think about the age of someone in 1980 working at Holden, in a position to know what the Engineering and Costing departments were doing. They'd have to be at least 23-25 years old then, but being the boy's club it was back then, you'll find the ages much higher. Any such person would be at least 65 now, and unless you're like Terry (a very rare person) many people that age rarely visit online forums.....

There have been numerous other reasons quoted by people who were there at the time (like Norm Darwin). Most involved the additional cost of outsourcing the low volume interior trim, and difficulties in getting it right on the assembly line. Whilst the brochure notes only red or blue, 2 nutmeg ones have turned up - one of these with a broadcast to confirm it, and the other one is pretty much almost guaranteed, as it sports the same unique trim, but in a different colour.

First I've heard of the 15" wheels being an issue. Hell, my Brock wagon is running 16x7 Momo Stars & wider rubber.....
And Warren makes a good point - they were offered as an option on the SL (and VH SL/X) wagons too.

I find this story about the wheel-arches a bit far fetched. Even more so when there's MORE space in a wagon because the shocks are layed over. In the 80s a way to fit wider rubber to a sedan was to put a wagon diff under it, and angle the shocks in using the wagon mounts.




Curiously, I find those opening comments above mostly describing me (...and a few others** from my time at GMH)
I think I know what GMH Costing and Engineering dept were doing. I was working there.. in both for some of the time.

In the mid 70s GMH management were after new blood (mainly in Sales and Engineering... but also Finance) I joined in 76 about to finish a Business degree
at night and just about to turn 23. After that, I did an EDP Computer degree (paid for by GMH) at the urging of Graeme Ford at the Dandenong DP centre

All new starters, we went thru a rigorous induction for 12 months... I worked at the back of FB as the Grey Iron Foundry Tally clerk and the (both grey and nodular)
Foundry Output costing Clerk. I got sent to Zones Sales in Albert Rd (still in touch with a few from there), went thru an annual budget process working with
various plant Comptrollers (Nanscawen at FB, Cox (RIP) at Dandenong, Norfolk at Woodville etc) Went to Acacia Ridge and learnt CKD Import/export costing,
back to FB to learn GM global inventory analysis and control techniques (under Chris Evans) Off to Design and Engineering as their budget expenditure accountant.
Became a 'signatory' and added Proving Ground Expenditure Control (one R.W.Borrett was the PG Manager at the time) to the portfolio. Went to DISCO plant in
Williamstown rd and rewrote a lot of their production systems with several of the FB plant accounting guys. I was the finance rep in supply for a while.
Did a number of courses at MATEC.... I still have my course notes. Into Product and Strategic planning with Roger Gibbs and then to learn the ropes of
'Forward Models' and Forward Model Costing.. and provide financial data to the Product Approval Committee

I worked with Tom Marshall in GMP&A Costing after a spell in their 'Parts Cataloguing' area being taught parts interpreting ( a skill I still have)

I led an EDP team who re-wrote the Company car test fleet control software, I was responsible for the FB service garage admin
and after a meeting with Messrs, Rock, Chapman, deLong, Sorenson, Brock, Harvey and one Vin Kean got told to set up the
admin system for vehicle despatch/parts return thru Dandenong Traffic to HDT's new road car venture in North Melbourne . The
Finance dept special projects manager, Leo Sorenson (who knew John Harvey from Brisbane Speedway days) offered me up
to the wolves on that one. One of the toughest jobs I have ever done. That's enough. I could continue here but won't...


Yes I know Norm Darwin and catch up with him at HRC luncheons when we can.


and sorry, the tyres were the VC SL/E wagon 's main issue in relation its manufacture. They made the car at Dandy VAP and then
AFTER ... re-wrote the book to make it legal. 15" alloys were never offered or available ex factory on any Commodore wagons VB-VK ....
except of course for some of Mr Brock's offerings and the VC SL/E. Oh and maybe as a favour to a dealer .... or employee. I had a few.
One company hack.. ? VC L wagon with 5.0/M21 HD axle with LSD/4WD, N10, tinted windows etc was a 'favour'. Drove it around
Australia on annual leave and then ordered another one when I got back( exceeded the fleet kilometre life on one trip Shame on you )


**
the few others? I had a desk in Plant Accounting (in the old 30s Art deco building upstairs in Salmon St) next to Kevin Wale. He did very well...
Sure everyone knows Kevin's CV at GM. To end up as Chairman - GM China is impressive.
Dave Venticich and I (and Col Richards) worked on a project for a few months to upgrade the FB Mechanical Production Costing Function.
Dave also did well, he got his Finance degree from Melbourne Uni while at GM ... and got moved around like me. He went to Zone sales
and then off overseas, even GM uni and before retiring a few years ago now, he was brought back to Australia in about 2000 to work on VE.
He was prior to coming back, Marketing and Planning Director, GM Middle East.



ps.. yup I am eligible for the pension ( if only I stopped fulltime work. I still work in Manufacturing....nearly 50 years after starting work)
and what has age got to do with internet forums? ... LOL Dancing

And I have the copies of the my 'House' account invoices addressed to me at MP A109 F/Bend. That staff account was most useful
building up old Holdens and Toranas at the time Applause Cheers

Edited by user Wednesday, 6 May 2020 10:28:28 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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hainzy Offline
#119 Posted : Wednesday, 13 May 2020 10:14:17 AM(UTC)
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Fantastic insider info there Smitty.

You could write a tell all book! ha, With names changed to protect the guilty... And the innocent.

With the VC SL/E wagons, were the inner rear guards rolled?

Also mate, do you have much info on the VH SL/E top 30 cars? I have the one given to Freeman motors which I think was Vin Keenes dealership?

Id love to know more about how the Brock engines came about and any backstory? Its hard to find any info on these cars...

A friend of mine also has a VC wagon, fact 308 manual which I would assume would be an inside order or fleet car?

Cheers for all your info thusfar.

Edited by user Wednesday, 13 May 2020 10:21:03 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Smitty2 Offline
#120 Posted : Thursday, 14 May 2020 9:14:26 AM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: hainzy Go to Quoted Post
Fantastic insider info there Smitty.
You could write a tell all book! ha, With names changed to protect the guilty... And the innocent.

With the VC SL/E wagons, were the inner rear guards rolled?
Also mate, do you have much info on the VH SL/E top 30 cars? I have the one given to Freeman motors which I think was Vin Keenes dealership?

Id love to know more about how the Brock engines came about and any backstory? Its hard to find any info on these cars...

A friend of mine also has a VC wagon, fact 308 manual which I would assume would be an inside order or fleet car?

Cheers for all your info thusfar.


thanks...
have quoted names above (of ppl that were GMH when I was there and a Google gives you their CV at GM etc) so no secrets

VC SL/E wagons rolled guards? .. nope to that as far as I know. Don't recall dandy VAP having anything like the gear to do that
either in the body shop or in the 'Rectification' area.

My recollection is the VH Top 30 were a present of sorts .. for the top 30 dealer DPs, a special build ordered by Sales dept
to give these guys something special

Brock engines....? in GMH speak, there was no such thing but of course HDT did modify (not make .. as they had no ability to do that)
GMH engines. The only engine that could sort of fall into the category of 'Brock' engine in my opinion is...
the 'red' 304 A9L engine fitted to the VK Grp A SS 'blue meanie' Commodores. The HDT 5.6 stroker engines
could also be argued are a 'Brock ' engine.

Don't confuse the GMH hi-po engine options (V5H and V7X) as being Brock engines .... more of those hi-po engines got fitted to various
police force and state government (RTA, Vicroads etc) cars than Commodores that came out of HDT !


VC wagon..? 308 4 speed? wouldn't be blue with twin exhaust by any chance?. I had one, same as (a blue one with N10) as one of my company cars
and yes.. it was a 'special' employee order Whistle

final comment.. write a book? well I have ... sort of.
Late last year Holden commissioned the ANU and Uni of Adelaide in conjunction with the National Library in Canberra
to write a 'social' (people related) history of Holden (from 1948 to 2019). The social history project being done by the unis is based
on ex-employees and their experiences at Holden.
Out of thousands who were employed at GMH and Holden, they selected 200 to be interviewed ( plus the opportunity to provide
memoribilia etc as well) . I was one of those .....

Not exactly sure what is happening with this project given the 'collapse' and shutdown of Holden but I did receive at the end of a March,
a copy of the recording of my 3 interviews and a transcript document (all on disc) from the National Library in Canberra... Angel



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