Holden VC Commodore

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Holden VC Commodore
Manufacturer:	Holden
Parent company:	General Motors
Production:	March 1980–October 1981
Class:	Mid-size
Body style:	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Platform:	GM V platform
Engine:	1.9L 58kW Starfire I4 2.85L 76kW Blue I6 3.3L 83kW Blue I6 4.2L 100kW Blue V8 4.2L 115kW Blue V8 (dual exhaust) 5.0L 115kW Blue V8 5.0L 126kW Blue V8 (dual exhaust)
Transmission:	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase:	2668mm
Length:	4706mm (sedan)
Width:	1722mm
Height:	1379mm

The Holden VC Commodore was released in 1980 and succeeded the Holden VH Commodore. Distinguished by its 'egg-crate' style grille, the VC series brought many improvements over the VB and maintained the Commodore's place as the best selling car in Australia.

The improvements included revised suspension to improve ride and handling, a few cosmetic changes and the availability of new options such as cruise control.

However, one of the biggest changes were a series of engine upgrades which included redesigned cylinder heads, intake/exhaust manifolds, new camshafts & pistons and all-new carburettors as well as the fitment of electronic ignition. In total, these upgrades brought up to 25 percent more power and 15 percent better fuel efficiency. The engine block on these motors were painted a blue colour (as opposed to the previous red) and were known as the XT5 versions, although are commonly referred to as the 'Blue' motors.

As well as changes to the existing engines, a new 1.9L 4-cylinder engine was introduced. Known as the 'Starfire Four,' the new engine was in essence the 2.85L six-cylinder engine with 2 cylinders removed. Also used in the Holden Sunbird, this engine was fitted to the Commodore in response to increasing pressure from the 1979 oil crisis. This new engine was not a complete success however, as its lack of power meant the engine needed to be pushed hard to deliver acceptable performance, negating any fuel saving benefits.

A new spec level was added to the range: the L. Thus the Commodore lineup was L, SL and SL/E. Transmission choices remained the same as the VB Commodore. A total of 121,807 VC Commodores were produced.

With the discontinuation of the HZ Kingswood models around this time, the Commodore was complemented by a range of WB series luxury Statesman and utility models.