VL COMMODORE/CALAIS

THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED FUEL SAW A NISSAN ENGINE UNDER THE BONNET

It is a sad irony that the model that most embarrassed Holden and had it slapping journos with injunctions is today regarded among the brand’s best-ever products. With unleaded fuel due to be introduced in 1986, Holden’s own six-cylinder engine couldn’t be effectively modified to handle ULP and the V6 which would power the VN was three years away. For the first time in its corporate life, Holden needed to ‘buy in’ an engine for the final adaptation of its original Commodore.

The VL appeared in 1986 and under the bonnet was the same engine (almost) that could be found powering Nissan’s new, Aussie-built Skyline.

Punters didn’t need to stress too much about the VL restyle. A slight reshaping of the nose with improved headlights and a very subtle ‘ducktail’ boot-lid lip were it for basic models, with a quite substantial change to frontal aspect of the Calais.

The reshaped headlights weren’t just for show either. New ‘homofocal’ technology was claimed to improved high-beam intensity by 35 percent.

Most VLs were SL or Executive models and came with the six-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission. A five-speed manual was available as well, but not to buyers of the V8-engined cars that joined the range in October 1986, who had to make do with the old-style Trimatic.

Executive models which were pitched into the fleet and rental markets were fairly basic in their specification with power steering and central locking included but air-conditioning and rear wheel disc brakes optional.

The VL Calais had undergone a simple but radical styling transformation to channel the appearance of a down-sized Cadillac. Half-hidden headlamps and a cross-hatched acrylic grille were unique to the Calais and certainly helped justify a $5000 price increase on the 3.3-litre VK model it replaced.

Equipment list included new 15-inch alloy wheels, air- conditioning, cruise control, power windows and optional leather trim.

In conjunction with its new power train, Holden had done plenty of work on noise abatement with new and more extensive sound deadening making the VL a noticeably quieter car than the VK and, more importantly, than the XF Falcon that was its fleet-market rival.

The suspension changed as well, with modifications including softer springs to improve ride comfort and faster-ratio power steering for better feel. Non-turbo versions with all-disc brakes aren’t common but worth having should one pop into the market.

MARKET REVIEW

Ten years ago it was possible to find ‘budget’ car yards brimming with high-kilometre VLs all priced at $5000 or less. Where did they all go?

Generalised apathy compounded by careless younger owners accounted for many of them. Some of the survivors come with fancy paint, huge wheels and transplanted V8s attempting to justify silly asking prices. Turbo cars, especially the ‘sleepy-eye’ Calais, have been registering extraordinary money. Their escalating fortunes were detailed in the 2018 Muscle Car Guide.

Family-spec SLs and Executives in excellent condition are becoming harder to find and prices for low-kilometre, reasonably original cars start at $12,000. Those that rank as ‘exceptional’ may exceed $20,000.

Jump into a V8-equipped Berlina and the asking price can climb past $30,000. Ex-Police cars with turbo or V8 motors can climb even higher.

The six-cylinder VL Calais seems to be an endangered species. They weren’t all that common when new but used to appear regularly in the used market. Now they are very scarce, although not ridiculously expensive.