Top 5 Commodores & HSVs of All Time | Clunie Garage

[@davidmartin7271]

I love my Pontiac G8 (VE Commodore-L76) and am slowly upgrading it to be its best self. A good VCM intake and Solo exhaust have been a good start. We in the USA weren't making cars that fun at the time so we enjoyed our imports from Oz.

[@ClunieGarage]

Nice work David!

[@ls1hinchy546]

Just catching up with your uploads m8 Maloo R8 VZ is my favorite but my top 5 would have to be.... 5- VN SS group A 4- walkinshaw VL 3- VE W427 2- VH SS group 3 1- you can't beat the mighty GTSR W1 and also the VX GTS 300kw was my number 1 holden until the mighty W1 was built

[@ClunieGarage]

Nice choices there mate! Yes, VL Walky narrowly missed out on our top 5. I have a real soft spot for your no. 2 in the VH Group 3!

[@MickDavies]

Waiting for my 5th Holden to arrive this month, I think it's a proper Australian gem too for the Aussie family, a HSV R8 Tourer LSA. I had the R8 wagon 09' but this thing will be wicked with the supercharged LSA.

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Mick, nice one mate. Those lsa powered R8s are going to be super collectable. Am just waiting for my VF to return from fab work and I will have my two Holdens back in the shed! Thanks for watching our channel btw.

[@tomreynolds5774]

My top 5: VF GTS, VL Walkinshaw, VE E2 Clubsport, VL Calais Director, VT SS Series 2 with LS1

[@ClunieGarage]

Nice choices there Tom.

[@jasonc950]

Nice memories being 45, I remember the old man buying his VK brand new in 85 with the blue group A and black director on the showroom floor and he bought the avacado green sedan SL 6 cylinder 3.3 next to the Brocks 😞 at least he added 7” bathurst globes..

[@ClunieGarage]

Haha classic! My dad bought a Camira instead of mint condition VH on the lot as well. I love the VK Group A. So old school and light weight! Love the firing order and rumble of the iron holden 308/304 as well!

[@tomreynolds5774]

The Black Directors were very special

[@Turtlewitnohome]

Had a VK Calais 5L, absolutely the best driving car i have ever owned. Pre power steering, had the best road feel and feedback.

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day mate, I remember a mate from footy and his dad had one. He dropped me home one day in the lue meanie - oh my goodness! Just remember the Momo steering wheel and all the Brock stickers!

[@apvgroup5i]

1989 apv group 5i 💪🏼

[@jasonsingleton1901]

Great round up on commos. Yes I had a couple vh. Last metal bumper Holden’s!

[@ClunieGarage]

I really liked the VH. My aunty had one and I would wash and polish it for her when I went to Wagga in the school holidays!

[@thatsimracer666]

Glad I can be 1 of the first few to watch a awesome vid

[@ClunieGarage]

Awesome mate, good job!!! What is your favourite Commodore/HSV?

[@thatsimracer666]

@@ClunieGarage depends really on which era modern w1 maloo 80's vk blue meany 90's vs gtsr 00's W427

[@clint.2309]

Great video. Nicest car ive ever owned was a cherry black vs clubby. Wish i still had it.

[@angry9901]

Got a soft spot for the VH Group 3 as well. First time I had seen wind splitters on the guards. Hard to compare those cars with blown LS powered later models.

[@dazzalexander482]

The big banger 💪

[@ClunieGarage]

Yep, Angry is right. The VH was cool but slow as a dog compared to modern LS.

[@pedroangelo4244]

One of the earliest Holden muscle cars that took aero seriously!

[@angry9901]

I never saw a Group 1 or Group 2 SS Brock. Did they not make any?

[@MrClemmo13]

Really enjoyed this video as always.

[@ClunieGarage]

Thanks Clemmo! Check out the Torana video we just uploaded as well.

[@MrClemmo13]

@@ClunieGarage Will do.

[@billmago7991]

Glad you gave the VN a plug

[@ClunieGarage]

You bet Bill. I really liked the VN SS in gun metal grey as well. Rumbly iron 5.0. Just beautiful.

[@stevenb9844]

I have recently gone Holden. In my younger days I drove a Ford because that's all I could afford 🤣🤟🤟

[@ClunieGarage]

Welcome to the Holden club mate! We keep holding on!

[@snapperhead1355]

Good top 5 mate, the W1 definitely worthy of #1

[@ClunieGarage]

You betcha! I don't think we will ever see another car like it.

[@darrenhennessey4396]

My favorite is the mighty VE HSV Maloo ute they look amazing 😄

[@ClunieGarage]

Nice choice there Darren. Have always had a soft spot for the Maloos too.

[@rabbit73au]

I have only had two commodore’s my first was a VB manual my second car was a VS Calais my 3rd was. 1989 Cressida after that I had a WK Caprice LS1 and now I have a 2014 WN CapriceV L77

[@QuicksilverJono]

P platers choice would definitely be anything with a 3.8 v6 and a manual haha.

[@ClunieGarage]

Probably Jono as they can't drive a V8 on their Ps anyways!

[@angry9901]

A Barra with a manual gearbox you mean?

[@keananconnor4221]

Find myself watching this a lot, subjective but it’s a good one for the shed tv

[@realaussiemale567]

There’s a Commodore wreckers in Victoria, I won’t say exactly where, but he has 3 of those ‘Blue Meanies’ and 2 of the Walkinshaw VL Grp A’s. They all run, well they did 15yrs ago when I saw them, and all were in show winning condition. If I hadn’t seen them myself I wouldn’t believe it either. The epitome of priceless assets, in my opinion.

[@angry9901]

Is that the same bloke who has Alan Moffat's XA GTHO Phase 4?

[@hansam7578]

Hey, I have a 2007 VE Commodore omega. It has 365,000km on the clock. I love my car and it has no electronic issues. It is a V6 and I haven't done any mods to it. I am in need of some advice. Keep it and spend money on the paint and the interior because it runs well and drives well, its just the aesthetics that are looking tired and worn due to dogs etc. Do you think its worth investing in my holden instead of getting another car? Do you think it will last me another 5 or 6 years? Its well looked after and gets regular servicing etc.

[@JohnWilliamsGTS]

My Top 5 Commodores: 1: VF GTS-R W1 2: VF GTS-R 3: VF GTS 4: VF Senator Signature LSA 5: VF R8 LSA

[@carriejay7019]

Never been a fan of the VE but did have one before I got the VF SS...

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Carrie, we like the VE and VF but have a real soft spot for the early VH and VKs as well. Thanks for watching our channel.

[@carriejay7019]

@@ClunieGarage gotta love old school back in the day when I did my trade got to work on a lot of mint cars

[@angry9901]

What did you not like on the VE that they fixed on the VF?

[@carriejay7019]

@@angry9901 I know the VE isn’t much different to the VF . I didn’t hate my VE but I should have gone the 8 over the 6 , but at the time it came down to affordability . I’m just loving my VF , I guess it’s just a personal thing….

[@Dan-rg7jj]

Will take the w427👍 Nothing against the vs gstr but not really different compared to any vr,vs 215i besides the scheme. The vn group a however was a lot different. Best thing about the 215i motors is the torque. Not forgeting the vt 220i.

[@ClunieGarage]

Right on! The reason I included the VS was at the time it was pretty revolutionary to have a stroker and aussie made LSD Hydratrak. I love the W427 engine - a big reason why I chose that engine platform for the VF Redline race car.

[@Dan-rg7jj]

@@ClunieGarage 👍🏼red vr gts 6 speed can just imagine... I like the vt motors 195i and 220i they had bigger camshafts then the older series and hydralic roller too. Just needed the mains and the twin throttles out of the vn (also did a blue printed version of the 220i) but wasnt much like you say for 10k.

[@ClunieGarage]

@@Dan-rg7jj G'day mate, have been doing a bit of reading and research on what was actually included in the $10,000 optimisation pack. Apparently it would yield another 10-15kw and the blueprinting included a full balance and CC-ing of the heads to make sure each combustion chamber measured the same capacity and the compression ratio in each pot equalised at 8.5:1. I could think of a few other ways to get the predicted 10-15kw for $10,000!

[@tomreynolds5774]

LS7.....'nuff said. The holy grail of LS performance.

[@Dan-rg7jj]

@@ClunieGarage Hey Fred, there is a nice little track focused channel from Germany I reckon you might like "the extra mile" I'll let Alex know about ur channel👍

[@shakstar]

No VL Walkinshaw Fred???

[@7071t6]

yep karma has come back n walkinshaw, lol :) Brocky if only he did not argue with holden, it was all about money, but holden still wanted him to race and yet he could not make his future how he wanted it to go, race for holden and sell holden after the race, especially his own cars,which then walkinshaw seen the opportunity took over, but hsv was still hsv, till walkinshaws took ownership of most of it? It would like ted calloway sating nope to GM in the states and not allowing to do what he wanted to aftermarket upgrades, like remember the top speed of the twin turbo corvette did over 254 miles per hour in 1988? Now that's making a name for yourself & your future business model?

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Shak, the VL Walky narrowly missed the top 5. I was a fan back in the day but there are so many othere that I like too!

[@ClunieGarage]

Dear ol Brocky, what about the saga with Holden over the Polariser! I can't believe he actually thought that thing worked...

[@KiedisHaze]

I'd say that the zeta platform (VE/VF) were some of the best cars to be made. Picked up an E2 Clubsport R8 - exceeded my expectations so much I want to buy a V6 to daily lol

[@angry9901]

Could the budget stretch to a V8 Calais or Statesman?

[@ClunieGarage]

Oh wow, a E2 Clubbie, nice work. Frankie and I looked at one recently but it was a bit doggy and the LS3 felt quite under-whelming in it. There are some really nice examples getting around though. I reckon you should look at a V8 daily!

[@bigguy49b]

What about the VL........not mentioned because it had a nissan engine in it with a optional turbo?

[@micksmobilemechanics]

My top 5 1.vf gts maloo 2.vs senator 3. Vu maloo 4. Vl turbo 5. Vp ss

[@pedroangelo4244]

Nice work boys! What about the RB30 powered VL Turbo?

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Pedro, one of my mates had a VL turbo, good engine but nothing like a V8!! 🤠😎🤩

[@pedroangelo4244]

You guys should do a VL build and put a LS in it.

[@jasonsingleton1901]

Awesome 👏

[@ClunieGarage]

Thanks Jason!

[@fuzzypumper1971]

Love my ve ss wagon

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Michael, nice car the VE SS. Make sure you keep it forever. They aren't making any more!

[@jonathanrees3765]

Best bang for buck VZ SV8 6.0

[@ClunieGarage]

That's an interestimg choice mate. I remember when the 6.0s came out in the VZ and replaced the LS1.

[@jonathanrees3765]

@@ClunieGarage Lighter and more aerodynamic than VE/VF. LS2 takes LS3 or LSA heads and intake manifold, so easy upgrades. Also lighter than SS, but has all the goodies, and amazingly cheap compared to others

[@angry9901]

Isn't the VZ 2006 6.0 a L76 motor with rectangular port heads? I thought only the HSV used the LS2?

[@jonathanrees3765]

@@angry9901 Interesting question, from GMAuthority "The most prominent of which is the inclusion of General Motors’ Active Fuel Management system, which was sometimes referred to as “Displacement on Demand.” LS2 engines with this system were designated RPO code L76." And VZ did not have DOD. HSV engine was definitely tuned (LS2). Pontiac GTO was just "standard" LS2 to start (of series 2), but did have DOD later. Standard LS2 head is 243 cathedral port (from LS6), but rectangle (LS3) just bolts on, and flows much better.

[@angry9901]

Understood, the difference in L76 heads and LS3 heads is only the sodium filled exhaust valves isn't it? You could upgrade your LS2 by fitting the L76 rec port heads, but no need to fit LS3 heads to your L76, just upgrade your L76 exhaust valves and Bobs your uncle.

[@jimclarke1108]

W 427 forever

[@andrewsmith8729]

A mate of mine in WA owned one of the monkey vomit VS GTS-Rs. Paid around $100,000 for it........"allegedly" spent that again on modding the motor and twin turbos........took me for ride one day.......an absolute insanely overpowered street legal missile............."allegedly" around 1000 kw........ ended up selling it to someone in Sydney for around $200 k..........last one I saw auctioned was at $260 k expecting to hit $500 k. The 0001 build went for $1 million a while back.

[@ClunieGarage]

Oh wow, I saw a rather heavily modified GTSR at summernats with a blown LS at the summernats. Check out the first 5 mins or so of our latest video.

[@andrewsmith8729]

@@ClunieGarage That one looks like it has belongs on a drag track. My friend's one was kept original throughout except for the engine,drive train,and exhaust. - Liked the burnt orange SLR - Liked the XC Panel Van.......have not seen one of them for years. - Never saw any Chargers - There is a nice looking very light blue Maloo that entered the parking - And I really liked the VE body shells...... a lot of money there....... have to try and go there one year for a look. Do you give out advice aside from what is in your videos? I have an 08 SS manual that could do with a bit of love. It has about 187,000 on the clock and stock other than being lowered. I have the money now to get the engine rebuilt and am thinking Walkinshaw 407 after it is run in. Could you recommend some brakes that would fit the standard 18 inch wheels or do I need to find a set of HSV rims? Will still need to track down a sensibly priced set of big brakes. Last one..... a decent self-adjusting clutch? Do not want to spend much more than 30k all up........... or I might as well shop around for a newer SS / Clubsport and sell mine one to offset the price. Not looking to go too far down the rabbit hole........under 400kw and still driveable around town is more than enough for me. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@jarnosaarinen4583]

Agree!

[@nickbarclay6325]

5. Series 1 VT GTS 4. VL GROUP A SS WALKINSHAW 3.VS GTS 2. VH GROUP A 1. Canary yellow VL Turbooooooooo

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Nick, some nice choices there. Canary yellow RB30 turbo as number though!

[@jasonsingleton1901]

Do an torana episode maybe... hb ta through to a9x hehe

[@ClunieGarage]

Just about to publish a A9X video!!!!

[@jasonsingleton1901]

@@ClunieGarage do it!!! I had a 76 ss 5.0 all good for pre pollution stuff but I kept it orig with factory air cond! Wow no. 8 plug was a bit difficult hehe would love to see your opinions etc

[@edgeofreason2710]

1.VN SS grp A 2.VL Walky 3.VK HDT group 3 4.VN HDT AREO 5. VL Calais turbo Love the VN SS grp A would have it in all 5 spaces if it didn't make for a boring list, but any of these in mint condition and I'd be a very happy camper. Edit: Please dont use ZB and Commodore in the same sentence please.

[@angry9901]

Doesn't Von Cheeseburger and old mate Whingecup drive the ZB hatchback?

[@robertstojcevski1098]

Never forget the day a blue meanie come in to get traded in, only had about 42,000klms on it, this thing was emasculate, owner of dealership came running out of his office yelling get away from the car it's mine lol

[@garysmith3559]

After all the money you blokes have spent on the redline, I can't believe it didn't make the list. What about the VE SS ute as well! Lol😜

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Gary, the redline and the ute make our top 10, is that OK with you? 😃

[@bradymcgennity7754]

My dad has a Holden ve Calais

[@DKMORGAN6478]

Yep, it was well worth the extra 10k.

[@chipgrip]

Top 7 add the coup 4 and the z series r8 oh and the sv88 so top 8

[@ClunieGarage]

Nice choices, we had to draw the line somewhere though! We always liked the SV88!

[@dazzalexander482]

Berlina based I meant

[@chipgrip]

@@dazzalexander482 film it for KZbin pretty rare man

[@dazzalexander482]

Will do it's got the higher spline axles 4.11 rear end and still has the original chrome roof strips. Hooks up well for a old auto.

[@LSturboguy]

but there all hsv's not holdens, my top 5 holden commodores, 5 VH SLE, 4 VS SS, 3 VK SS, 2 VF SSV S2, 1 VE SSV S2

[@anarchistangler]

I was waiting to see the actual cars...

[@jeremyryan770]

ZB commodores are good cars just not a commodore, 1st car was the missfire 4 VC lol but now I'll never sell my VE SSV

[@ClunieGarage]

Nice one Jeremy. I drove a starfired VC in Darwin once. It broke down at Howard Springs!

[@MAte925]

Holden race engines sounded better than current chev > particularly on race cam >eg 91 bathurst shootout!!

[@adrianmoule1389]

Sorry mate but I think you got a lot ballsed up VK should have been 1st VN SS groupA 2nd VR/ VS after that!

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Adrian, the VK and the VN Group A SS all made the top 5 list. Very special cars and I would love to restore one! Need to win lotto though with their current valuations.

[@peaner083]

Very cool that the VH got a mention,me and my brother had one and i do actually miss it,was only a 6 but pretty cool. Also the info on the VN all makes sense now cause a mates old man aswell as another V8 VN used to get around back in the day and my god they sounded tough as shit. Personally ive had a VS,6 cylinder and a now ive got a VE SS that ive just recently modded with a cam.....its my keeper,my baby. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3KxmnRjf5h1gNU if ya wanna check it out. Cool vids brother and just subbed:) "Shes the ducks guts!"

[@frankinz2995]

But the W1 isn’t a production car. It’s an after market modified car. The best factory Holden Commodore (off the production line) would have to be the 2017 Motorsport Edition. Think you shouldn’t be putting the HSV’s and HDT’s in the list of best Holden Commodores. Sure they’re brilliant, but even a Brock Lada was better than the factory one.

[@davidforbes7790]

Please... no VL Walkinshaw 😂😂😂 in the top five. Wouldn’t be a HSV without it... VS GTS ahead of it 😂😂😂 ok riiight.

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day David, the walkinshaw only just missed out. We like the VS because it was a stroker and had a cool diff.

[@davidforbes7790]

@@ClunieGarage all good everyone has their opinions. Don’t think a cool diff should put a car in a top 5 while the original and first misses out. Could make the top 5 of cool diffs though 👍