Checklist
1984 - 1988 HOLDEN VK-VL CALAIS
BODY & CHASSIS
Crash damage is the issue risk when buying these cars because some will have been poorly repaired. Check the front rails from above and below for kinks, twisting or nonoriginal repainting. Inconsistent door and bonnet gaps can indicate a car that’s been twisted and may not handle properly. Rust attacks front mudguards, lower doors, boot floors and the window surrounds. Metallic finishes are prone to fading and look for areas of mismatched paint to detect repairs. Replacement floors, guards and outer sills are available but the cost of repairing and repainting a rusty car can be more than it is worth. VL headlights cost around $200-300 per pair but just the outer ‘eyelid’ covers for a VL are over $180 each.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Pre- and post-ULP V8s are generally reliable however the later engines have some extra sensors that will either have been replaced or by now are feeling their age. Overheating needs to be monitored so when test driving, switch off for a couple of minutes (listening for rumbling noises from the radiator) then restart and see how far the temp gauge has climbed. Cylinder heads are prone to cracks and warping so look at the coolant and oil for signs of contamination. Look as best you can around the carburettor for fuel leaks. Automatic transmission should engage gears when stationary in less than two seconds and accelerate without surging or vibration.
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
Finding a VK or VL with its original suspension components and suspension settings will be almost impossible and the choices made by previous owners may not suit your driving style. Extreme lowering and very lowprofile tyres will make the ride harsh and can damage suspension components. Float over bumps indicates the shock absorbers are past their prime. Disc/disc brakes were standard and work very well when maintained. A mushy pedal, pulsing when the brakes are lightly applied and directional instability are symptoms of worn rotors. Quality replacements are cheap.
INTERIOR & ELECTRICS
Cars with sundamaged plastics are best avoided as tracking down viable replacements is a challenge. The hood-lining may have already sagged and been replaced. New lining is available, as are carpet sets, seat and door trims. However, once the seat foam has fallen to bits and the straps break the only solution is a costly trip to the trimmer or finding some secondhand seats in better condition. Electric windows that squeak and shudder will cost perhaps $300 per window to rectify with faulty air-conditioning vastly more expensive. Electronic instruments offer potential problems and while some specialists offer a repair service there are no guarantees that ancient components will work forever. A new VL Calais instrument cluster was seen for sale at $800.