HDT "Brock" Commodore VK
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 5
Introduction
The HDT Commodores would be initially released as
just two models, the HDT Commodore SS and HDT Commodore
SS Group Three. Other models would follow, including
the now highly prized and collectable “Group
A”.
The HDT SS carried over the same grille from the donor
VK Commodore, but had a small rear spoiler and 15x7
HDT wheels shod with Uniroyal ER60H15
tyres fitted.
But it was the Group Three that was creating all the
interest, with its additional air dam, bolder side
skirts, rear under-tray, letterbox grille and larger
rear spoiler.
A rearward facing bonnet spoiler and
bonnet wind splitters that ran atop the front guards
were popular options. Colour options were restricted
to either silver or white, the previous black never
proving popular but we cannot determine just why red
was abandoned.
Under the bonnet, the engineers enlarged the
cylinder head ports, while the combustion chambers were gas
flowed by Perfectune, before the engines were sent
back to HDT for final assembly, including fitment of
the bigger than standard
valves.
Bilstein gas pressure
shocks were fitted, along with a reinforced front say
bar. Finally, the car was fitted with three-piece 16x7
alloys shod with Pirelli P7 225/50x16
tyres (although
you could option Yokohama A008 or Goodyear NCT’s).
It was early in 1985 that Australian Touring Car racing
moved from Group C to international Group A regulations,
in the process changing the homologation rules to require
some 500 examples of any car be manufactured before
it could be raced. The General immediately turned to
Peter Brock for the answer.
Starting out on the new “Group A” iteration,
the HDT engineers needed to reduce the capacity of
the trusty Holden 5.0 litre V8 to be less than 5 litres,
so the first job was to reduce capacity from 5044cc
to 4987cc – achieved by shortening the stroke
from 77.8mm to 76.8mm.
In addition, the inlet manifolds
were port matched and tubular
exhaust headers were
fitted. The engine was then mated to a M21 four speed
transmission, the Group Three
suspension fitted, the
package then riding on 16 inch HDT alloys shod with
Bridgestone Potenza 225/50 VR16 tyres. Cosmetically,
the Group A carried over the Group Three’s grille,
but was fitted with a “pimp my ride” large
rear spoiler, and all were finished in “Formula
Blue” duco.
Before the VK model was replaced, the HDT engineers
had one more trick up their sleeve – the HDT
Special Vehicles Calais Director. Most were built to
customer order, and were twice the price of a standard
Calais V8. Why would anyone want one over the Group
A? You only needed to look at the corporate car-parks
of the time, it would have been much easier to point
to the Director and explain to your boss that your
new company car was “merely” a Calais.
In all, some 700 HDT Special Vehicles Commodores would
be manufactured, 200 Group Three's and 500 Group A's,
while there were a handful of other HDT specials also.
0435868444
They are located in Sydney.
um, yeah, sure, so we'll ignore the LM5000, the first of the VK HDT cars, well done. Classic revision of history by internet.........
What's "the right price?"
then at the right price
Does anyone have a set 4 sale?