Hard-core Holden fans shouldn't take holidays in January.
The Aussie car maker has just released details of a micro-site that confirms a trio of limited edition Commodores will be sold in 2017 to mark the final year of local production for the iconic muscle car.
The site (www.holden.com.au/cars/commodore/limited-edition) is due to go live this afternoon (Thursday December 15) and features three vehicles under cover with confirmation they are based on the SS-V Redline sedan and ute and the Calais V sedan. It asks for expressions of interest from customers wishing to secure a piece of motoring history.
While Holden has yet to reveal official details of the models, the main image showcases a black set of alloy wheels featuring a unique red ring around the outer edge of the rim, a matching red highlight on the lower portion of the front intake and a black bonnet vent on another vehicle in the foreground.
Reports have suggested Holden will dip into its back catalogue and revive badges such as Director and Magnum - previously used on HDT Special Vehicles models back in the 1980s - as a celebration of the Commodore's performance heritage.
The original HDT Director was created by Holden hero Peter Brock to be considered among the most luxurious sports sedans of its time. It featured a unique independent rear suspension system, upgraded V8 engine and a high-grade interior that even included a portable phone and fax machine, which was at the absolute cutting edge of connectivity back in 1987.
But it was also fitted with the controversial Energy Polariser - a box of crystals that Brock claimed improved performance and reduced fuel consumption - that ultimately led to Holden dumping its Bathurst legend.
HDT also used the Magnum name on a high-performance version of the WB Caprice limousine or one-tonne ute.
Accordingly, it is expected the Director name could be used on the more luxury-focused Calais V (without a Polariser) while the Magnum could be reserved for the ute. It has been suggested that the third model will be a track-focused variant of the SS-V Redline sedan that has been created to pay homage to the Commodore's vast successes in motorsport over the last 38 years, from its 24 Bathurst victories to the Repco Round Australia Reliability Trial win and the King's Cup crown in the 1986 FIA Touring Car Championship.
Holden promises to reveal the official information in January, the day the vehicles are expected to be officially on-sale to the public. Commodore fans should save the date...
6 Comments
DJM61 | 2016-12-15 07:41:13
Holden dumping Peter over the Energy Polariser (or was it the IRS) was as smart as BBC dumping Jeremy Clarkson. New Top Gear is a ratings disaster whilst The Grand Tour is the most pirated show in the world.
| 2016-12-15 20:13:18
So the Commodore is a ICON? We must be talking about the Commodore computer.
Reggie | 2016-12-15 21:13:00
A black set of alloy wheels featuring a unique red ring around the outer edge. Be still my beating heart.
AussieJohn | 2016-12-15 23:56:37
I worked for Zupps during the HDT years and only ever saw 1 Magnum Caprice, and that was sold in Sydney, all the others were Statesman's, and there is a some contentions about the commercial version. Plus it wasn't a 1 tonner but a UTE. Where does the writer of this article get his facts? What about a SS Group A or a super cheap Kingswood.
stevecro | 2016-12-16 18:54:21
what about getting a white Commodore , give it a bench seat, take the armrests from the doors and call it a white hot limited edition? That'd get the nostalgia buffs in
2ontrack | 2016-12-18 03:00:17
Looks like a Tandy TRS80 computer, same tech from 1880. Rather have a Tesla Model X or the new Lucid EV that is coming. GM is out of touch as they crawled to the EPA in the US to stop them lowering emissions further and forcing them to make EV's. Ford is the same.