Another barn find, prototype 1979 Commodore

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

A driver training company I worked for from the mid 80's had the first Commodore, body number VB0000000, it was actually a German Opel fitted out as a Commodore, it was also a SLE, had a v8, even had wipers on the headlights. It was built as a demo model for delaers

We trashed it on the skid pan for years, I don't know where it finished up, it was green in colour

Ford, Holden and Nissan would give the company prototype cars for skid pan use only

I remember back in the mid 90's the Holden dealer out at/near Campbeltown had one of these in their showroom in green I believe alongside a blueprinted VR GTS/R.
I wonder if the Opel was the same car, cant have been too many imported.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by MDS69

The Berlina designation is a VK thing which you would know has plastic bumpers

Correct, that was my mistake. I just used the Berlina moniker for the name of the middle model. In those days Holden kept on changing the model names, even though the equipment levels remained.

For VB it went Commodore, Commodore SL & then Commodore SL/E.

VC went Commodore L, Commodore SL & Commodore SL/E.

VH went Commodore SL, Commodore SL/X & Commodore SL/E

VK got Commodore SL, Commodore Berlina, then Calais.

It stayed like this until VZ, however the SL became the Executive for VN onwards.

Dr Terry

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

Correct, that was my mistake. I just used the Berlina moniker for the name of the middle model. In those days Holden kept on changing the model names, even though the equipment levels remained.

For VB it went Commodore, Commodore SL & then Commodore SL/E.

VC went Commodore L, Commodore SL & Commodore SL/E.

VH went Commodore SL, Commodore SL/X & Commodore SL/E

VK got Commodore SL, Commodore Berlina, then Calais.

It stayed like this until VZ, however the SL became the Executive for VN onwards.

Dr Terry

Executive was a fleet special available from VK onwarrds, SL with air and steer as standard.
Vacationer was a sticker pack predecessor durung VH run.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Executive was a fleet special available from VK onwarrds, SL with air and steer as standard.
Vacationer was a sticker pack predecessor durung VH run.

The Executive pack in VK/VL had auto trans & p/steer standard but NOT a/cond. It was still an option.

The Executive VN onwards was now a proper 'model' in its own right, it had p/steer standard, but a/cond & auto trans was optional.

The Commodore Vacationer pack was sold in VC (Dec 80), VH (Oct 81, Nov 82, Oct 83), VK (Oct 84, Oct 85), VL (Oct 87), VN (Oct 90), VP (Oct 92) & VS (Sept 95).

Vacationers also appeared in HQ, HJ, HZ & Camira.

VR onwards had other sticker packs as well, like Esteem, Equipe etc.

Dr Terry

[rare ss]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Not saying anything is off but of the zeros in the odometer is not in line with the others…..

Every early commodore ever the odo looks like that

[ozrunner]

Originally Posted by marty351

Belongs in a museum.

I would have thought the tip would be more appropriate

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Tonz

would it be street legal?
Could it be registered on standard plates?

otherwise why spend $$ on something that would supposedly need to be trailered

Originally Posted by MDS69

Certainly a bitsa. VB/C air conditioning, VH/K front sheet metal, no rear seat belts, VH interior, one side mirror, no bumper over riders for a SLE, no brake fluid for the rear brakes, still has the bracket for the VC twin horns on SLE on the inner guard.

It's a styling mock up. It's not a production car and it was built with no intention of being driven on the road.

These things are usually crushed, but the odd one slips through for various reasons like donation to museums etc.

[MDS69]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

The Executive pack in VK/VL had auto trans & p/steer standard but NOT a/cond. It was still an option.

The Executive VN onwards was now a proper 'model' in its own right, it had p/steer standard, but a/cond & auto trans was optional.

The Commodore Vacationer pack was sold in VC (Dec 80), VH (Oct 81, Nov 82, Oct 83), VK (Oct 84, Oct 85), VL (Oct 87), VN (Oct 90), VP (Oct 92) & VS (Sept 95).

Vacationers also appeared in HQ, HJ, HZ & Camira.

VR onwards had other sticker packs as well, like Esteem, Equipe etc.

Dr Terry

Back in the day I bought a VX Equipe wagon new. A/C was an optional extra but you couldn’t buy the car without it!!.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It's a styling mock up. It's not a production car and it was built with no intention of being driven on the road.

These things are usually crushed, but the odd one slips through for various reasons like donation to museums etc.

This one is a bit different. It was built as a fully complianced VB 4.2 V8 SL/E sedan & drove off the production line as such. So at one time it WAS a production car.

It was then taken to the design studio where the interior, front panels, grille, headlights & tail-lights etc. were changed. This stuff is mainly cosmetic.

I believe once you got it up & running you shouldn't have any drama registering it.

Dr Terry

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by MDS69

Back in the day I bought a VX Equipe wagon new. A/C was an optional extra but you couldn’t buy the car without it!!.

This was very much the case from VT onwards. The Executive models & Acclaims etc. did not get a/cond as standard, but it was such a popular option that most dealer stock had it included. If you wanted one without a/cond you had to order it & wait 6 to 8 weeks.

Why would you buy a car without a/cond in the 2000s ?

Can you believe that a/cond didn't become standard on the base (Omega) model until VE Series II, by which time it was dual zone climate as standard.

Dr Terry

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by rare ss

Every early commodore ever the odo looks like that

Just about all Aussie cars of that era were the same. VDO was the supplier to Holden, Ford, Nissan, Chrysler/Mistubishi, Toyota & all the odos looked the same.

Dr Terry

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

The Executive pack in VK/VL had auto trans & p/steer standard but NOT a/cond. It was still an option.

The Executive VN onwards was now a proper 'model' in its own right, it had p/steer standard, but a/cond & auto trans was optional.

The Commodore Vacationer pack was sold in VC (Dec 80), VH (Oct 81, Nov 82, Oct 83), VK (Oct 84, Oct 85), VL (Oct 87), VN (Oct 90), VP (Oct 92) & VS (Sept 95).

Vacationers also appeared in HQ, HJ, HZ & Camira.

VR onwards had other sticker packs as well, like Esteem, Equipe etc.

Dr Terry

Hmm, didnt VK and VL have Execitive badging on the 'C' pillar glass and delete SL boot badging?

Funny enough I jast had a VL go past with Limited Edition II stickers on the boot, another sticker special from that era.
Can you remember what that consisted of.
Didnt VN also have an LE edition which may have been a stand alone or was it too a sticker pack.

[ford71V8]

Originally Posted by marty351

Belongs in a museum.

If legit, then I was thinking Birdwood is where it should be

[ford71V8]

Reading this page with all the different variations of Commodes, it reinforces a comment made to me about 10 years ago.... I was told there were 84 different build packages coming down the production line at that time. Different model variants, different badges, then with different options. Possibly different body shapes also (wagon/sedan).
Thats a lot of options to get right.

[MFL]

Originally Posted by ford71V8

Reading this page with all the different variations of Commodes, it reinforces a comment made to me about 10 years ago.... I was told there were 84 different build packages coming down the production line at that time. Different model variants, different badges, then with different options. Possibly different body shapes also (wagon/sedan).
Thats a lot of options to get right.

at the time the options to get right was a 308 , m21 gearbox and a lsd rear end

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It's a styling mock up. It's not a production car and it was built with no intention of being driven on the road.

These things are usually crushed, but the odd one slips through for various reasons like donation to museums etc.

This car has ID tags so yes it is a production car and most likely will be able to be registered if it meets RWC requirements.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by MFL

at the time the options to get right was a 308 , m21 gearbox and a lsd rear end

I would prefer the 5.0 V8/ TH350 combination, but each to their own.

Dr Terry

[MFL]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

I would prefer the 5.0 V8/ TH350 combination, but each to their own.

Dr Terry

the 3 spd traumatic (yes I know the HDT Commodores had the TH350) in my VH 5.0 was hardly memorable, my VK 4.9 M21 was a lot more fun... but yes to each their own.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

This one is a bit different. It was built as a fully complianced VB 4.2 V8 SL/E sedan & drove off the production line as such. So at one time it WAS a production car.

It was then taken to the design studio where the interior, front panels, grille, headlights & tail-lights etc. were changed. This stuff is mainly cosmetic.

I believe once you got it up & running you shouldn't have any drama registering it.

Dr Terry

Originally Posted by Itsme

This car has ID tags so yes it is a production car and most likely will be able to be registered if it meets RWC requirements.

Just gloss over the fact it has a bunch of handmade parts designed just to look real, and not actually work.

It would need a rebuild with production parts to get it up and running.

[DTFRMONT]

News report...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyLaBHGekXY

Expecting 6 figures, not a suprise...

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

A driver training company I worked for from the mid 80's had the first Commodore, body number VB0000000, it was actually a German Opel fitted out as a Commodore, it was also a SLE, had a v8, even had wipers on the headlights. It was built as a demo model for delaers

We trashed it on the skid pan for years, I don't know where it finished up, it was green in colour

Ford, Holden and Nissan would give the company prototype cars for skid pan use only

VB0000000 come on ! I though nothing came with all zeros, regardless.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by mick taylor

VB0000000 come on ! I though nothing came with all zeros, regardless.

I did say it was a prototype or did you miss than bit

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by MFL

that brings back a few memories, my 1st V8 was a VB SLE 4.2 I bought from my dad - the 2 bbl carb & single exhaust made for memorable power - handled well though ...

The VB with 4.2L or 5.0L 4sp manuals were the best handling car Holden ever made by far, if you really know how to drive at 10 10ths full on they were magic, you could never put a foot wrong, the car would respond totally do everything that you wanted it to do. the 6 cyl were to gutless to respond to handle that well as the V8's, total control oversteer magic and no stupid understeer.

The down side part was brake pad material regardless of 4wheel disc and a small booster that the peddle could travel a lot but never a problem.

The weight of the VB and it's size help to make such a great performance car, even tho they were somewhat gutless due to ADR Laws. not to mention being a sardine can in a crash.

The VC RTS on was total rubbish until the VX SS came out that we got a good handling car again that you could cane full on with full confidence but it was a bit to big and heavy and the VE a Tank !

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by mick taylor

The VB with 4.2L or 5.0L 4sp manuals were the best handling car Holden ever made by far

interesting you say that, Holden also gave us (also for the skid pan) their prototype VB (I think) with the Firestar (I think) 4 cylinder engine, it was the most generous on the skid pan, very even to drive hard, responded easily. It had bugger all power, but was good on the skid pan (4 acres of smooth finish concrete with sprinklers around and on it)

We also had another earlier Commodore (for a skid car) with a blue-printed I6 in it, it went like the clappers

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

I did say it was a prototype or did you miss than bit

Regardless. as how many prototypes are their ?

Holden Cars start a like from 000100 I believe, once they are set into production.

Even the FX Holden prototypes were not 0000 even the 3 first GM made FX ones I believe.
How can one start with zero ? I have never heard of such ever.

Dr Terry would know better than anyone one I am sure.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by mick taylor

Regardless. as how many prototypes are their ?

Holden Cars start a like from 000100 I believe, once they are set into production.

Even the FX Holden prototypes were not 0000 even the 3 first GM made FX ones I believe.
How can one start with zero ? I have never heard of such ever.

Dr Terry would know better than anyone one I am sure.

so, you are calling me a liar?

We were told by Holden when they gave it to us that it was an Opel decked out as a Commodore to do the rounds of dealers to let them see what was coming. I looked at that number maybe a hundred times when showing people

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

interesting you say that, Holden also gave us (also for the skid pan) their prototype VB (I think) with the Firestar (I think) 4 cylinder engine, it was the most generous on the skid pan, very even to drive hard, responded easily. It had bugger all power, but was good on the skid pan (4 acres of smooth finish concrete with sprinklers around and on it)

We also had another earlier Commodore (for a skid car) with a blue-printed I6 in it, it went like the clappers

Yes the 4 cyl and 6cyl in the wet at low speeds. you could mash the peddle and not get into trouble like a V8 may catch out one who does not understand that, in that case one has to treat the peddle with understanding, but that's what the go peddle is all about, it can become your second steering wheel in some regards.

Oh and the Commodore hand brake being the postie scooter type drum brake inside the disc is to weak, good hand brake position tho.
I like the XG type hand brake how it works off the disk but hate the hand brake position that is rubbish.

On thing about the VB and the HZ is that if you loose it at high speed even at 200km/h etc it will automatic correct it's self, peter Hannenberger showed that off to Bill Tuckey saying every car must do this as being a serious safety issue device.

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

so, you are calling me a liar?

We were told by Holden when they gave it to us that it was an Opel decked out as a Commodore to do the rounds of dealers to let them see what was coming. I looked at that number maybe a hundred times when showing people

I am just saying it's totally odd to me that such a number would exist.
Some joker must of stamped it that way, is what comes to me.

Zero means it does not exist.

What engine was in it ? do you know the engine number.

I am just questioning such a thing, I do not know why one would get hostile over questioning such a thing.

As to the so called barn find prototype car I do not think such things are worth squat truly.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by mick taylor

I am just saying it's totally odd to me that such a number would exist.
Some joker must of stamped it that way, is what comes to me.

Zero means it does not exist.

What engine was in it ? do you know the engine number.

I am just questioning such a thing, I do not know why one would get hostile over questioning such a thing.

As to the so called barn find prototype car I do not think such things are worth squat truly.

The last I saw that car was probably early to mid 1990's - it went to the crusher as required by Holden. From memory it was 308 or 307? A 5 litre V8

We were told it was was a one off and was an Opel (for the 3rd time)

You weren't questioning, you were challenging, insinuating I was lying. I saw the bloody car and drove it pretty much weekly. Part of driver training was to do a vehicle check which included an under bonnet check before we took it out on the skid pan, so I reckon I looked at the number and know what it was

I CAN'T EXPLAIN THE NUMBER I JUST KNOW WHAT IT WAS

Did you ever think that I am right and you are wrong

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

The last I saw that car was probably early to mid 1990's - it went to the crusher as required by Holden. From memory it was 308 or 307? A 5 litre V8

We were told it was was a one off and was an Opel (for the 3rd time)

You weren't questioning, you were challenging, insinuating I was lying. I saw the bloody car and drove it pretty much weekly. Part of driver training was to do a vehicle check which included an under bonnet check before we took it out on the skid pan, so I reckon I looked at the number and know what it was

I CAN'T EXPLAIN THE NUMBER I JUST KNOW WHAT IT WAS

Did you ever think that I am right and you are wrong

I have never heard of a 00000 anything, they all start at 000001 say.
I never said anyone was lying at all. it's just that 00000 does not compute.
I am sure you are correct on stating what you seen. but I find it hard that Holden would put such on any car regardless if it was an Opel.

I think I remember a VA Commodore mentioned in the first prototypes. I think they were Opel imported and they fell apart just like the first 3 GM prototypes that came to Australia in 1946 and Holden worked to improve on them cars in testing them, just as they did with the first Commodore.

But their was never a 000000 car that I have ever heard of, not in the first 3 from USA or any that I know of and that's why i said, one would be best to ask Dr Terry on that subject. he would know best ! if any other than your car ? was 00000, as i have never heard of such ever until now with you saying.

So what i am on about has there ever been a 00000 Holden or Ford etc apart from what you have claimed. i am not saying you are wrong at all. if i were to say you are wrong i would say you are wrong, but i have not said that at all.

If one was to say they had a 00000 EJ,HD,HK,HQ Holden i would say that is Total BS outright. i maybe wrong but Dr Terry would know better than me. i would take his word for it.

Nothing starts from Zero that i know of regardless of what it is.