Holden Commodore (VK)
Fourth iteration of the first-generation Commodore, introducing the Calais luxury variant.
The Holden Commodore (VK) was a mid-size car built by Holden between February 1984 and February 1986. It was the fourth version of the first-generation Commodore and marked the debut of the luxury sedan variant, the Holden Calais. This series was the first Commodore to use plastic (polypropylene) bumpers and introduced rear quarter windows, giving the car a six-window design styled by Holden but resembling the Opel Senator, replacing the four-window look of earlier models. Other changes included a redesigned front grille and a revamped dashboard, with the Calais offering a full digital instrument panel using a vacuum fluorescent display.
The exterior gained a more modern, aggressive appearance with a new grille featuring three bold strips instead of a metallic one, plastic bumpers and skirts replacing metal guards, and a rear tail light assembly that stretched across the car with a black panel between the lights. Inside, the instrument panel switched from circular gauges to a square layout. A total of 135,705 VK Commodores were built.
Engine options included two versions of a 5.0-litre Holden V8 (replaced by a 4.9-litre V8 when Group A rules entered Australian motorsport in 1985, with the SS Group A introduced in March 1985) and two versions of a 3.3-litre Black straight-six engine, a refined version of the Blue straight-six with slight power and efficiency gains. The 3.3 EST (Electronic Spark Timing) carburettor engine was standard for most VK models, while the 3.3 EFI injection engine was standard for the Calais sedan. The EFI engine was not initially available in the station wagon because its electric fuel pump is located in the fuel tank (EFI VK Commodores have an external pump, not an in-tank one), and the wagon-specific fuel tank redesign took about eight months to complete. The 2.85-litre six-cylinder and 4.2-litre V8 from previous Commodore ranges were dropped. A 1.9-litre Starfire inline-four engine was offered on New Zealand-assembled VK models, both sedans and wagons.
The VK range introduced new trim names: Executive became a standalone model alongside the base SL, aimed at the fleet market with automatic transmission and power steering. The Commodore Berlina replaced the SL/X, and the Holden Calais replaced the SL/E.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Holden (General Motors)
- Aka
- Holden Calais (VK)
- Production
- February 1984 – February 1986
- Assembly
- Australia: Adelaide, South Australia (Elizabeth), / Melbourne, Victoria (Dandenong) / New Zealand: Wellington (Trentham) / Indonesia (CKD)
- Class
- Mid-size
- Platform
- FR GM V platform
- Related
- Opel Rekord E / Opel Senator
- Engine
- 1.9 L 54 kW Starfire 4 (New Zealand market only) · 3.3 L 86 kW 'black' engine · 3.3 L 106 kW EFI 'black' engine · 5.0 L 126 kW-177 kW Holden V8 engine · 4.9 L 196 kW Holden V8 engine
- Transmission
- 4-speed manual / 5-speed manual / 3-speed automatic
- Wheelbase
- 2668 mm
- Length
- 4714 mm
- Height
- 1360 -
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The VK Commodore introduced plastic bumpers and a six-window glasshouse, replacing the four-window design of earlier models. Exterior updates included a new grille with three bold strips, plastic front and rear bumpers, and a rear tail-light assembly that spread across the car with a black panel between the lights. Inside, the instrument panel became square-shaped rather than circular. The VK range introduced new trim levels: Executive, Berlina (replacing SL/X), and Calais (replacing SL/E). The station wagon was available in SL, Executive, or Berlina trims, and the limited-edition Vacationer nameplate continued from the VH Commodore.
Engine choices included two versions of a 5.0-litre V8 (later replaced by a 4.9-litre V8 for Group A rules) and two versions of a 3.3-litre Black straight-six, available with either a carburettor or fuel injection. The 3.3 EFI engine was standard for the Calais sedan but initially unavailable in the station wagon due to fuel tank reengineering. The 2.85-litre six-cylinder and 4.2-litre V8 from previous ranges were dropped. In New Zealand, a 1.9-litre Starfire four-cylinder was offered, and an upmarket Commodore Royale model was sold exclusively there.
The Commodore SS Group A was a homologation special created for Group A touring car racing. Available only through Holden Dealer Team-affiliated dealerships, it featured a 4.9-litre V8 rated at 196 kW, a rear spoiler, larger front air dam, and more aggressive grille. Production of 502 cars began in March 1985 but missed the 1 August deadline for racing eligibility that year; it became eligible from 1 January 1986. The car was nicknamed the 'Blue Meanie' due to its blue paint matching the Holden Dealer Team's sponsor Mobil.
Reader's Guide
The VK Commodore marked a significant step in Holden's design and performance direction. Its plastic bumpers and six-window design set it apart from earlier Commodores, while the introduction of the Calais established a new luxury tier. The VK's most notable legacy lies in the SS Group A, a homologation special built to meet Group A touring car regulations. With 502 units produced, it was the first of four Group A Commodore models built from 1985 to 1992, and these cars have become highly collectible. The Group A regulations governed touring car series in Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Japan, Italy, Germany, and the European Touring Car Championship, as well as the 1987 World Touring Car Championship and major races like the Bathurst 1000, Spa 24 Hours, RAC Tourist Trophy, and Guia Race. The VK SS Group A was unique among HDT and HSV products in being referred to as a Holden rather than an HDT or HSV. In New Zealand, the VK's four-cylinder model was remarkably successful, unlike in Australia, leading GMNZ to stockpile Starfire engines after their Australian discontinuation. The limited run of 120 GTS sedans near the end of New Zealand production further underscores the VK's regional significance.
Did You Know?
- The VK Commodore was the first Commodore to feature plastic (polypropylene) bumpers and a six-window design.
- Only 502 VK SS Group A cars were built, missing the 1 August 1985 deadline for racing eligibility that year.
- In New Zealand, a four-cylinder Starfire-powered Commodore was offered and proved remarkably successful, unlike in Australia.
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