Ultra-rare show car conceived as part a failed 1980s product experiment could be yours for less than you think
Unmolested VL Holden Commodores are becoming increasingly difficult to find these days – especially top-shelf Calais Turbos – but perhaps the hardest to find of them all is a convertible version in near-perfect condition…
That’s because Holden never made or offered a convertible Commodore to the public, but in 1986 a VL Berlina was taken to with a tin-opener by a member of the Holden Precision Driving Team to create a one-off parade vehicle in order to gauge consumer interest in a production version.
The car in question, a 1986 Holden VL Commodore Berlina, is now up for sale on carsales – for $40,000 – with full engineering approval, full registration and a lowly 159,500km showing on the odometer.
“Unfortunately due to the cost of conversion ($30,000 in 1986) and lack of marketing support, the project never got off the ground,” the ad’s description reads.
“Using the Opel Monza Coupe as the basis for engineering purposes, the builders of this car used chassis rails and other reinforcing to strengthen the chassis so that the body is very rigid.
“Opel Monza doors were used to replace the standard four Commodore items, as was the Monza rear quarter panels to suit the two door configuration.”
Located in NSW and registered since the day it was built in 1986, the blue-grey drop-top VL was sold in 1990 – with 46,000km on the clock – to a private owner who used it as a daily-driver for a number of years until it was drafted into his eldest son’s wedding hire business to complement his genuine VL Group A Walkinshaw Commodore.
To make it look more like the fabled Batmobile, the rag-top Berlina was given a respray, fitted with a Walkinshaw spoiler kit, retrimmed interior and 16-inch HSV alloy wheels.
Don’t be fooled by the Walkie-esque exterior though; under the bonnet is the original Nissan-sourced 3.0-litre straight-six, albeit fitted with extractors and a sports exhaust.
Drive is still sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission, just as it was 37 years ago.
“Recent servicing totalling $10,000 by its fussy owner has been carried out to ensure everything works as it did back in 1986 so you can drive and enjoy,” the listing continues.
“This includes new rubbers for windows and roof, servicing of fuel injectors, new air conditioning system, new front brakes and rear suspension bush kit fitted.
“Mechanically the car has been well looked after, with regular servicing every 10,000km. Receipts are included for this work.”
The power-folding roof has also been reupholstered and the original engineering certificate is included in the mass of documentation.
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Keyword: From the Classifieds: 1986 Holden VL Commodore Berlina cabrio