THE REAR END TREATMENT ALSO STRADDLES THE LINE BETWEEN DRAG RACER AND SHOW CAR
Although Steve wanted to put his own touch on the Commodore, nothing has been modified for the sake of it. Everything that has been done has been done for a reason, and the overall finish is as tasteful and understated as it can be, aside from the obvious chrome out the bonnet and steamrollers under the back.
Thanks to the boot-mounted fuel cell freeing up space underneath, the rear bumper has been neatly notched for twin three-inch exhaust dumps, while the interior is all ’90s Commodore, bar the Momo steering wheel and flush-mounted B&M ratchet shifter.
“There are a couple more things to do, like redesigning the back-seat area, as the original rear seat doesn’t fit around the tubs, but I’m happy with it,” Steve says. “As far as cars go, they are obviously an ongoing affair and we never say never, ’cause the work is never done!”
The Commodore’s done what Steve wanted, though, running an 11-second pass and 125mph quarter on a soft tune at this year’s Father’s Day Drags — quick enough to get his adrenaline flowing without needing to install a roll cage. While Steve knows that cars are never done, this one is as close to it as it’s ever been. It isn’t the only one, though. Since Steve’s handed down to his son all the original parts that were replaced during the build, there will be another Bartie family VR SS following in Steve’s wide, smoky footprints — and if the young fella is anything like his old man, we’ve got a fair idea of what to expect.