I bought my FIRST HSV "IRON LION"

my first iron lion and first HSV, we got there in the end and I think I definitely chose the right car

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

It survived this long, so my vote is to respect its heritage and leave it alone. You've got the most unique ride anyway as you have a car that performs and drives like it did when new. One that lets you experience every day what it was like for us back in the day to buy a car like this and just enjoy it. As a young bloke who enjoys the history of these cars, you've been given a chance to own and drive an original spec HSV. That's the needle in the haystack. Enjoy it mate for what it is and with your interest in the cars history, I'll bet your love for the car in its original condition will only grow and you'll be glad you didn't mess with it. If you want to mod something, go and buy some clapped out Commodore and go for it. This car is special.

[@mickyd8755]

Just do enough cleaning to satisfy yourself, and enjoy. Be the proud custodian of a truly amazing vehicle in its factory form. Plenty of lowered, cammed Commodores out there. Good find!

[@snistr]

Hey Chris. Spare wheel is correct. Only the 215i with the bigger calipers had the yellow spare. Also yes the stacker is aftermarket. Based on the head unit you have in the car. There is no cd stacker function. Id say there was an alpine cassette head unit at some point before the eurovox headunit was put back in. You will need a new indicator stalk with cruise,

[@danielredshaw4698]

Possible turn signal relay under dash?

[@NicholasCox85]

It'll be the hazard switch failed.

[@havoc9499]

Yep, I second hazard switch. Very common

[@angusbrooks8159]

I third for the hazard switch. Fixed mine

[@danielsulics711]

Great car. Love the VR HSV. Definitely a keeper and those plates. What a story.

[@originalrecko]

Beautiful car. Given how immaculate the interior is, i would keep this as stock. Its truly a museum piece right now. Enjoy driving it.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Chris, loving your choice, looking forward to the small things, Cheers

[@MindieJ]

You and me both!

[@NicholasCox85]

24:00 the indicator issue will be a faulty hazard switch. It takes out everything when it goes. Try pushing the hazards on and off a heap of times to try and get it working temporarily.

[@Frontman936]

Pull the facia off to get the switch out. The switch will be fine just clean up the carbon and much on the contacts.

[@bubzavich]

Hey mate congrats on the purchase! I had the same issue with the indicators in my clubsport, ended up being a bad hazard switch. If you're interested I've got the factory hsv carpets in really good condition I might part with and the correct eurovox stacker. Keen to see more progress on this!

[@NicholasCox85]

Yep same, hazard switch shat the bed and stops the indicators working.

[@Cricky2411]

Congratulations! Good choice, VR VS are getting popular now, looks great IMO. Don’t try and take the A pillar trims off, they will break, looking forward to it, cheers!

[@MkdMuzza]

Great buy 👌 Hard to believe they’re 30 years old now, they still look and drive so good. Look forward to the content!

[@Phil-mo3ej]

Hi Chris, you got one! I have a VR Clubsport wagon in genesis blue with 85000km on the clock (15000 since 2001). Those window mouldings are gloss black.

[@TorqHub]

Oof! Chubby long roof. That's sick

[@mintcars5676]

I have a vr berlina hsv enhanced wagon in genesis blue with beige leather but I do love a clubsport❤

[@victoriabitter1000]

Clean it up but leave it stock. My 2 cents

[@naddz12345]

i agree. Do right by the car and its history

[@commodorenut]

I bet that gouge in the shifter was done when they pulled the headlining out to redo it. I did the exact same thing to the leather one in my VS2 Calais about 20 years ago. Fortunately back then replacements were easy to find. Fun fact - the insert fabric on the seats and door trims is the same as VN Group A.

[@FuManchu5ltr]

@MindieJ There is no greater authority on Commodores.

[@FuManchu5ltr]

Commodorenut, the guys from TorqHub here on the KZbins have been keen to have you on their pod cast to talk old Commodores. Anyway, stoked to see you around still.

[@rosspane4542]

Awesome car mate I used to work on those brand new at Garry & Warren Smith's in Oakleigh , may have worked on that one back in the day , absolutely love it clean it up & do your thing but leave it stock there worth so much more & not many unmolested ones left 👍😁

[@TorqHub]

Congratulations mate! Welcome to the iron lion gang! 💪🏻

[@MindieJ]

Thank you 🙌

[@ThePointstheif88]

I still remember the day when my mum brought home the hsv vs clubsport in a manual brand new as a kid. She sold it after 15 years with 140,000kms on it and standard except for window tint.

[@dartology]

Great colour and interior. Nicely done 👍🏻

[@MindieJ]

Thanks mate

[@dushanruzic5145]

Looking forward to the cleaning video!! 😂 I think you just do what you do, make it 💯 perfect like all your whips. Looking forward to seeing your journey ✅👊🏼

[@Aaron.Crouch]

Nice work bud. well done and welcome to the HSV club. Yep that stacker is aftermarket. Standard Eurovox 6 stacker was the choice in the VR/VS. They were renowned for playing up & jamming CD's, hence why its been replaced along the way. Enjoy your purchase :)

[@DanG90]

Second this, Eurovox stacker in the boot, mounted to the right hand side.

[@adamloader9534]

The commodore had Eurovox Stackers they were always on the driver’s side just inside the boot. They have a cover that slides to protect the cassette. My parents had 2 VS series 2 Calais and 1 VS series 3 Statesman.

[@FuManchu5ltr]

The second best bit of this was the end. The first bit was the start. Seeing that car and we are all stoked with it. I posted a thread on Just Commodores about it, peeps are frothin’. The end, well that is some gold. Sticking it to the haters. Love your work. Love the car.

[@MindieJ]

Thanks man appreciate it, got a link to this post?

[@FuManchu5ltr]

@@MindieJ I can’t because the KZbins won’t let me post links other than KZbin links.

[@FuManchu5ltr]

@@MindieJ It’s in the Just Commodores Video section.

[@phillipevans9414]

You have found an absolute peach and a real bargain - keep it as stock as possible, because in 20+ years when it becomes a true classic/vintage car, only the stock ones will still be worth decent money (anything that has been dicked with, will be worth "buttons"). The older a car gets, the more the values favor stock examples, and this trend is only getting stronger. Cheers from an old bloke whom loves that at least some of the younger generation still values motoring "history". Enjoy!

[@NORTIKalais]

welcome to the club

[@StickthisDecals]

🤣 If only Stickthis would do the woodgrain. Maybe one day ;)

[@MindieJ]

I’ll happily test the product 😏

[@jamesmurphy7596]

Love it! Lower it, do your little tidy ups, enjoy it 👍 dare say the indicator issue is either flasher relay, or old crusty fuses

[@bill13690]

Hey Chris, glad to see that you've bought yourself another Gem again. I hope you enjoy your new toy.

[@StickthisDecals]

🤣 If only Stickthis would do the woodgrain. Maybe one day. 😉 Good pickup and clean 👌

[@MindieJ]

I emailed you guys and even commented on your recent FB post haha, CMON!!!

[@mattfeltus9046]

Congrats! Love them in stock form. They are only original once. Keen to see the progress!

[@MindieJ]

More to come!

[@PANTHERSVGTS1]

Beautiful car man, you scored really well with that one. A mate of mine has original floor mats he might sell, from a VR senator ironically.

[@kingkaiser7732]

Def been retrimmed. Good to see another Holden mate. Look forward to the videos

[@MindieJ]

What makes you say that?

[@shanetorok3293]

Ive had a few VR VS at work work with indicator issues, almost always the hazard switch, 9/10 times you can just blast them out with contact cleaner, push the button rapidly like you hate it and it'll come good.

[@cameronlawlor1852]

Awesome buy mate, What a gem! Hazzard switch will be your indicator issue. If car was mine, id lower it tastefully on the standard wheels with some good suspension components. Cant go wrong with a nice camshaft and small convertor for some more power and noise. But i can definitely respect you for wanting to keep it stock also. Beautiful car mate, enjoy!

[@MindieJ]

Seems to be a very common thing that every single person knows about except me 😂

[@mattrob1483]

Vr the best model my first car 94 Berlina very happy for your new buy 💯💪🇦🇺

[@Dan-dx9qu]

Congratulations! Looks amazing 👌🏼

[@ilikethings7251]

awesome purchase mate! very clean looking and love the colour, before replacing the window switch maybe try pull it apart and give it a clean, could be a little corrosion on the contact🙂

[@crip3309]

Hey mate, autosol aluminium polish will get the bird poop stain out. Just need to use it with a hand pad then give it a buff with some auto glym to polish. Cheers

[@MAD-355]

You did very well. You do what ever makes you happy with the car. If I had one I would lower it a little but keep the standard springs, retint the windows and do a nice sounding cat back exhaust.

[@joshuamulder5439]

Yellow spare wheels were an option I'm pretty sure, a lot of the HSVs of the 90s got the standard 'stockie' steel wheel. This is what I have had in both my VS HSVs. The VP clubby yellow wheel your talking about was the optioned wheel.

[@Oz_Rebuilds]

Absolutely stocked these vids came up on my home page lol watched both vids and ready for Whenever the next one comes out...that beast is awesome

[@MrRato76]

Sweet car mate. Gear shifter would likely to be leather to match the steering wheel. At least all other Senator's I've seen have had a leather shifter.

[@bennywallis1527]

If you want to know how old the tyres are, there will be a 4 number sequence.. eg.. 2623 ( 26th week, 2023 ). Looks Awesome...

[@deanrobinson896]

great buy mate, love the VR and VS HSV series, can't wait to see this evolve

[@MindieJ]

Hopefully evolves into a Charizard

[@5lcalais1]

Nice score 👌, yeah those hsv purists are an emotional bunch lol the bubble burst a yr ago ,they ain't worth what they think they are. I nearly bought one myself in 03 at 20 in the same clour in manual ,had a deposit on it and everything but finance company said no 😔 Had a vp ss at the time i payed 14k for in 01 that was a bit of a lemon i was trying to get out of. Needs at least pacemakers and twin 2.5" exhaust, ya gotta have that sound 5Ls are famous for 👌 i wouldn't lower it though especially with the roads around werribee 🤷‍♂️🤣

[@cameronfitzpatrick6818]

Absolutely beautiful car, keep her the way she is and just clean her up from what blemishes it may have

[@Blueblur444]

Great pickup mate - looks like a great example. I've had all sorts of cars but I've always loved my Holden V8s. Maybe just nostalgia but it's what I grew up with. Agree with your comments about the owners, they can be an interesting bunch..

[@planbzine]

The Holden facebook groups are something else... I try my best to stay away haha. The brains are MIA in those things - Awesome buy dude, I remember my mum had a similar colour (maybe same) VR Acclaim back in the day too she used to drop us off to school in.

[@FuManchu5ltr]

Absolute shit show on there. Dead right that the people with overall solid experienced knowledge on Commodores are not found there.

[@justin_8593]

Congratulations mate what a sick buy 🤙🏽 A few tasteful mods, lowered, exhaust and it will be an awesome cruiser with that tuff 5.0 note that can be easily reversed and changed back to stock if needed

[@hifiandmtb]

Another ripper video, Chris. Your talk to camera is very relatable.

[@MindieJ]

I appreciate that!

[@GMH_GTR]

With the woodgrain it may be possible to get a new piece hydrodipped to match the factory woodgrain. Better option than wrapping it anyway. Also, the seatbelts do look brand new, but im also thinking they should be grey, not black. So its possible they have been replaced if that is the case

[@MindieJ]

Seatbelts are supposed to be black

[@mikewaters6980]

Congrats. Very cool. My 2c. Just as excited as u r, a totally stock car will worth big bikkies to anyone down the line. A real investment as its so rare original n looking new. Personally, I’m the same as u n would consider things like a respray on the roof for something small. I did that and especially in the sun, you can never match the colour of panels next to it so it may become obvious.

[@nath2506]

Very nice buy. Id leave it completely stock as it is. I guess that's what makes stock old cars so special is that they have managed to avoid all the p plater mods and butchery for so many years haha.

[@jamespavier1624]

That car is a top score, clean it up your way and leave it mostly standard. A Holden V8 needs to be heard they sound so good💯

[@MindieJ]

Couldn't agree more!

[@RetroJedi9]

Yeah that's sweet as, you gotta do some work to it. HSV should look and sound tough. Right now it looks like a museum piece.

[@alpha_au]

Absolutely beautiful car, excellent colour and interior. I'm with you, cloth trim is nicer than leather

[@MindieJ]

It really is!

[@vssenator215]

Nice pick up beautiful car Tasteful mods starr manifold bit more comp 284 or 286 cam small converter and 3.7 gears

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Touch up and detail probably come up ok ceramic coat... Replace ashtrays etc... Auto electrician to fix blinkers... Good deal...

[@Kyfer_WGN]

It's a good day when you post a new video. Even better when a it's another new project. Looking forward to the future videos and congratulations on finally getting the RIGHT car for you!

[@MindieJ]

Thank you very much!

[@matth9700]

Awesome car mate!! I had a VR SS 20 yrs ago, it was a nice car!! Look forward to see what you end up doing with it!!

[@MindieJ]

Thanks Matty

[@dunsyd7255]

Great choice mate. Its a beauty. My best mate had the exact same car which he bought new. When he sold it with 183000 ks the seats and interior were like brand new also.

[@MindieJ]

Oh wow!

[@blairhvuer8507]

Keep it reasonable stock. Exhaust, cam, lower. Maybe stroker and and t56 or something other than the 4l60. Awesome car.

[@DATONALKY]

Super original, great story/history to go with it, not a Holden fan by any stretch but that's a great find mate, can't wait to see you take it to your level of OCD.....👌👌

[@adamjones2940]

Nice buy! Exhaust and lower tastefully (not slammed like the other hsv gurus online) and that’s it, perfect 👌🏼

[@MindieJ]

Couldn't agree more!

[@seansmile]

Congrats ! Sucks that the US missed out on all these cool holdens, fords etc. Bit jealous 😂

[@MindieJ]

Thanks Sean, think of all the muscle cars you got thiugh

[@seansmile]

@@MindieJ Yea some are cool. But most of the good ones or really cool ones are unattainable or 20k for scrap bits

[@orlandos6366]

I reckon leave it 100% stock, because that's what makes it stand out from the other hsvs that have all been lowered with exhausts and that.

[@markjohnson4416]

Real nice car, I reckon maybe keep it stock considering how nice it is, even though it has a few km's. Either way looking forward to seeing what you decide.

[@mrgnluke]

Absolutely love it mate. You’ve done well. I’d try get some new tail lights too. Your reflectors are faded there. I wondered if the rear window switches aren’t the right colour? I know there were a few different colours depending on the car. My Calais is a light grey which looks like it suits the Senator door trim too? So keen to see you get stuck into it!

[@Gimmo2197]

If your gonna leave it stock , just lower it If you wanna get a little rowdy with it , go a bigger camshaft and valve train to suit, full exhaust , tune and lower the car that’s it

[@petermeillat2200]

Good on your mate love it, I am a hsv owner as well. Regards Peter,

[@anthony_correnti]

100% keep it stock, clean it up with some new paint and whatnot but keep it stock. Also stacker is definitely aftermarket.

[@elitecol69]

Those stackers usually had a FM modulator with a LCD button controller mounted somewhere..

[@MindieJ]

Yep it’s sitting in the glove box 😄

[@elitecol69]

​@@MindieJI used to fit them for Gerald Slaven Holden dealer before delivery at a stereo shop in Canberra.

[@todd_harrison4500]

​@@MindieJmy dad had an EB Fairmont from new with the same stacker. It was the stacker option for mid series head units. While on the subject, my Falcon had similar indicator issues and all it needed was to spam the hazards button for a few seconds! Could be worth a try.

[@frankc5075]

Chris, congratulations that car is absolutely beautiful. Tidy it up like I know you will and leave it as is. I worked at a Holden dealer for 10 years, definitely try replacing the flasher can, they were so common. What a peach of a car, please don't ruin it with anything aftermarket, there's just too many fucked ones out there. Congratulations again 👏

[@johnnyristevski2682]

As much as you love keeping cars factory looking but on this one you definitely gotta low it,wheels,exhaust,Cam it & Box/diff gears

[@benjaminstein1692]

Great purchase. Good to see people are selling these cars for what they are worth and not thinking it is 2021 still. Subtle mods are always good for content and the car can always be returned to factory anyway. Will this be a keeper or too early to tell?

[@yommmrr]

Senators are way rarer than clubbys. Nice pickup dude

[@MindieJ]

Thanks mate appreciate it

[@MitsubishiEvolution6]

Love the iron lion. Leave it stock. Just clean it and enjoy the 5.0.

[@MindieJ]

That's the plan!

[@dyIanVII]

With the gear selector surround, VR/VS Calais' used the same surround (IIRC with VS' the surround hugs the cigarette lighter socket but obv. you could just swap the centre console insert alongside). As for leaving it stock, personally I'd just do little OEM+ bits, lower it on new shocks so if/when you want to revert it's effortless, just simple things here and there like you always do.

[@NORTIKalais]

not the same as the Calais. HSV is a sticker, the Calais is not. The 'woodgrain' pattern is also different side by side.

[@fase_fdkns]

yeaa the senny! i think it's gun chris stoked for ya mate chur

[@MindieJ]

Thanks man appreciate it

[@russo187]

Awesome car mate!...I drive a pretty clean V6 VR... would love to put the 5L in her someday

[@BladeFrost-di6qh]

love it man roll them episodes out quick plssss ahaha

[@OrhanAvcioglu]

Congratulations on the purchase mate, greetings from Turkey. Tyres seem to be from late 2011 (minute 9:07) maybe it's worth changing them with pilot sport or something

[@nzuncovered1845]

The car that really got me into cars as a 10 year old was a green 1994 manual VR HSV Senator 5speed like this.. mates dad's car in NZ back in '96

[@Za3DoRzX]

Congrats Chris, hope you enjoy.

[@MindieJ]

Thanks mate appreciate it

[@RS-ve8nq]

Tail light reflectors are also faded. That’s an inspection fail where I’m at. Common on these.

[@MindieJ]

Well yeh the car is 30 years old

[@69MazdaR100]

Stacker is an add on/aftermarket, it's a very early model of that compact shape/style. I used to do lots of them back in the 90's in Falcons and Commodores. There was an adapter harness for Falcons that would make them work with the headunit. That one may have an FM modulator and a separate wired controller. Also I don't think that Eurovox you have is CD changer compatible so you'll prob nee to buy a Sony discman and plug it into the AUX for that nostalgic feel (make sure you get one with a good buffer to avoid all the skipping) 😂

[@bsteph95]

Cool to see a rego sticker from '99. $450 in 1999 translate to around $880 in today's money.

[@MindieJ]

Definitely a cool thing to have

[@davidcochran1815]

Congratulations mate you did well finding this. i would leave it as it is only thing I would fix is all them stone chips but That's the cleaners vr hsv I ever seen 🤙

[@MindieJ]

Thanks David👍

[@masonmiller8743]

I definitely suggest you to look for the original brochure as well, such a cool thing to have with all the docos

[@MindieJ]

Can actually buy reprints of them

[@4ndy530]

Cool man! Can't wait to see you bring it up to its full potential! 👌

[@MindieJ]

You and me both!

[@lowact1997]

I would love to see you manual swap it, always love the videos, but good to see a Holden back

[@MindieJ]

Definitely not

[@ryandaniell4496]

Great purchase! Do your thing and lower it for sure.

[@mattrob1483]

Mine had a factory head unit with radio tune with remote for cd stacker it may have had one of them at one point

[@braidenwalker739]

You should do a budget build series

[@MindieJ]

All my cars are budget builds

[@Nathan-b8u]

Nice car mate 👍

[@MindieJ]

Thanks Nathan

[@STREETMACHINETV]

Congrats on the new car mate, would love a HSV Senator

[@MindieJ]

She’s a bloody pearla that’s for sure!

[@jodinjohnston8765]

How good!! This will be good to follow im sure Ryz will have some NOS parts for you!

[@MindieJ]

Ryz??

[@dolts1234]

Ryz ? Please explain 😂

[@BraidennWalkerr-bx1vq]

Do you not work at pp anymore? I liked seeing all the work that goes on there

[@iandodson5790]

Lovely car. Devonish seats were standard on the Senator and an option on the Clubby as you mentioned. I reckon a little lower will look mint, and do you even own a V8 if it doesn’t have an exhaust? (just keep the standard exhaust tip)

[@peterhalls2106]

Do a cam,cd stacker,plates,lower it a little, groom & detail = perfect!

[@MindieJ]

Groom you say?

[@dstarns9252]

Im so stoked for you cant wait for the 1% mods 😂😂

[@R3KA90]

Mint af nice specimen right there congratulations mate

[@MindieJ]

Thanks Steven

[@vs5.063]

Stock rocks.