Holden Commodore History
Catalog record
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History
The Holden Commodore (VB) launched in October 1978 as a replacement for the full-size Kingswood, drawing on Opel Rekord architecture but extensively re-engineered for Australian conditions — Holden claimed only 35 per cent parts commonality with the Rekord. The VB offered six-cylinder and V8 engines in an intermediate-sized body and quickly became Australia's best-selling car.
Successive series through the 1980s and 1990s — VB through VS — refined the formula, gaining new engines (including a Buick-derived 3.8-litre V6 in the VN of 1988 and later the all-aluminium supercharged version) and a steadily improved cabin. The VT of 1997, developed at a cost of A$600 million, was the most significant redesign, introducing a new oval-port 5.7-litre V8 and the LS1 (from the VX of 2000) that would power both the Commodore and the Monaro revival.
The fourth-generation VE (2006) and VF (2013) used a new platform and brought the Commodore to the peak of its development, with Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) producing the GTS as the range-topping performance car — peaking at 577 hp in the Gen-F GTS (2013) and 636 hp in the GTSR W1 (2017). Australian manufacturing ended on 20 October 2017. A final ZB-series Commodore (2018–2020, a rebadged Opel Insignia) was sold briefly as an import before GM retired the Holden marque at the close of 2020.
Generations
First generation (VB–VL) · VB / VC / VH / VK / VL
The Opel-derived originals; VL added the Nissan RB30 six and laid the groundwork for the Group A racing Commodore.
1986 Photo: “1986 Holden Commodore SS Group A (photo 3).jpg” by Matthew Paul Argall / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation (VN–VS) · VN / VP / VR / VS
New 3.8-litre Buick V6 and 5.0-litre V8; HSV performance variants firmly established.
Third generation (VT–VZ) · VT / VX / VY / VZ
A$600 million redesign; LS1 V8 introduced in the VX, powered the Monaro revival and US-export G8.
Fourth generation (VE–VF) · VE / VF
New platform; HSV GTS peaked at 636 hp in the GTSR W1 — the last and most powerful Australian-built Holden.
2017 Photo: “2017 Holden Commodore.jpg” by Matthew Paul Argall / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Fifth generation (ZB) · ZB (Opel Insignia-based)
An imported, rebadged Opel Insignia; sold briefly before GM retired the Holden name.
Body styles
- Sedan
- Wagon
- Utility
- Coupe utility
Notable special editions & performance variants
HSV GTS
HSV's flagship performance Commodore — from the VP's 5.0-litre V8 through to the VF Gen-F2's supercharged 6.2-litre LS9 at 577 hp.
HSV GTSR W1
The final Australian-built Holden-based performance car — 636 hp supercharged 6.2-litre LS9, only 300 built; the most powerful Holden ever made.
Commodore SS / SSV
The mainstream V8 performance trim across the VT-through-VF generations — the everyday sporting Commodore below HSV.
Commodore Group A SV (VL)
The VL-based touring-car homologation special — 302 units produced, an all-time collectible.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Holden Commodore
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