Holden VL Group A SS

Holden VL Group A SS

The Holden Commodore (VL) is a mid-size car that was produced by the Australian manufacturer Holden from 1986 to 1988. It is a significantly re-engineered fifth and final iteration of the first generation of this Australian made model and included the luxury variant, Holden Calais (VL).
The Holden VL Group A SS represented a substantial makeover of the VK, and would be the last of the mid-size Commodores. The total build number for the VLs, between February 1986 and August 1988, was 151,801.

The designers sought to soften the lines for the VL, rounding off the panels and introducing a small tail spoiler built into the boot lid. Holden also implemented rectangular headlamps as opposed to the square-type fitted to earlier models. For the top-of-the-range Calais model, the design incorporated the use of semi-retracting headlight covers, the first for a production Holden. This had been previously attempted on the never released Torana GTR-X which featured fully retractable headlights. Interestingly the Calais covered headlights were the same as the regular VL Commodore headlights.

Major changes were made to the dashboard with new instruments, touch switches mounted either side controlling wipers, rear window demister, electric antenna (Berlina/Calais), and the headlight switch moved from the right-hand dash side to the indicator stalk. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning control graphics changed slightly, the center console offered more storage with new transmission shifter and surround.

Introduced in Commodore SL, Executive and Berlina variants, the VL vehicle line also included a luxury Calais model. However, this was known as the “Holden Calais” as opposed to the “Holden Commodore Calais”.