That’s a very nice example of a VX SS and a vivid reminder of an exciting era in the rich history of Australian car manufacturing. In my opinion the VT/VX were also the best-looking of all Holden’s contenders in V8 Supercar racing.
The man behind the brochure behind the car! Alex is in good condition and so is the SS. Great cars were made in Australia - but so many great Aussies played a role from bumper to bumper.
@@markbehr88 Many will disagree and remind that its their car to modify as they want - but the appeal of this car to me (IMO) is the amazing condition and originality per factory that sets this VX apart. So many clever and trained designers put their efforts into how the cars looked and then novices come along and change the look to create a custom look with bigger wheels and bonnet scoops and the like. Each to their own I guess, but this one looks the business to me, just as it was intended.
I love these cars, had one exactly like this and it is still my favourite car I have ever owned. I miss it and would love a good condition one again but they are getting pretty rare now
Hi Mark, I just came across this video. This is actually my car! My dad worked for GMAC for over 30 years so Holdens are in our blood. The car was parked outside my house at the time you filmed this. Feel free to knock next time you past. I would love to hear some more history behind the design. This car represents some great memories of all of the company cars my dad had over many many years! Such a shame they are no more.
Wow. That is terrific! It is such a nice example. As new. You don’t see them like this any more. I worked with Richard Ferlazzo on this model and was responsible for the headlight treatment and the differentiation between the L1 cars Executive, S and SS) and the L2 Berlina and L3 Calais. Next time I see it I will knock on your door. Cheers Mark
@@markbehr88Richard ferlazzo was a brilliant designer. The VX Commodores wouldn't have been his only design projects. I believe he was responsible in helping design the VT Commodore in which the VX Commodore superseded. I'm not sure whether he was involved in the Commodore coupe project in which became the V2 Monaro. He probably was and you'll probably be able to answer that question. He was also responsible for designing the eifijy concept car I believe.
VX Commodores were great cars and still are. An improvement of the very successful VT Commodore. The gen3 5.7 litre V8 engine was a great replacement for the legendary Holden 5 litre V8. There was a few issues with those early gen3 engines in regards to build quality and minor design flaws in regards to the pistons which resulted in engines knocking while cold after start-up which was the result of a flawed piston design and some engines burned oil and those who were good at dipping the oil would've noticed and were having to top up the oil when normally you wouldn't need to. Others who didn't bother doing under bonnet checks wound up on the side of the road with a blown motor. And yes the engines were made in Mexico. Holden realised that and got general motors to get the whip cracking so to speak and sort out those issues in which they had sorted by the time the VX Commodores were in production. I'm sure you were aware of those issues mark and you would have some recollection of them. Otherwise a great engine. Thoroughly enjoyed this video Mark.
Yes. Per the video, I did the VX program amongst others - esp the differentiation strategy The Gen III was a VT2 released. Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
@@markbehr88 Cool. Yes the gen3 did come with the series 2 VT Commodore, I should've put that in my lead comment. Yes and I'm glad you liked and replied to my comment.
@@markbehr88 Yes I see that. I do appreciate that you do that and I look forward to watching more of your videos. I have your video on the XC Falcon saved into my watch later list in which you posted a week or so ago. I'll definitely be watch it when I get around to it.
I hope you enjoy this mint 5.7 V8 VX Commodore SS plus some inside info on its development. Plus my friend Alex talks about the brochures he created to promote these cars. Please give Alex a Thimbs up👍 Please Like, Comment and Subscribe.
Thanks Gerard. Yes. Even down to the local milk bars and sandwich shops, the milk deliveries, the electricity, the water, gas, garbage collection, the uniform manufacturers etc - the flow on effect is huge. Plus all that great knowledge and expertise and lost opportunities for younger people to get a trade etc.
Hi Mark, it still has the Winter and Taylor sticker on the rear windscreen. Car has never been modified in anyway. Completely as it left the show room floor. I’m probably more scared to drive it these days than when I originally bought it.
The VX headlight treatment was a great way to differentiate the VX. Remember when the reverse effect was done on the last model Avalon, not nice. Had a big collection of brochures when growing up, favorites FE LTD, beautiful renderings and a silver cover that Madonnas infamous book may have emulated (doubtful ) Also 1992 Mazda 929 brochure, beautifal gloss finish & tracing like paper that garnished every page. BOTH were special but lost in later life. Cheers.
Nice recollections James. When I was in Product Planning at Holden I got the idea for those headlights from an early VT prototype. I asked Mike Simcoe “why didn’t you go with those headlights?” To which he replied “the dealers thought it was too progressive” So, I set about getting it done for VX. RIchard Ferlazzo drew up some sketches for me and I presented them at the Dealer Product Sub Committee - but had individually spoken to them to get their support as an appropriate and noticeable face lift for VT. They all agreed and when the time for voting came around it was unanimous - Job done!
Nice VX, I personally liked the VT series 2 as my personal favourite in styling in the VT-VZ range. Great insight to the good times you both had at GM Holden. End of an era unfortunately.
Thanks Costa. Yes the VT 11 was a nice model. I was Senior Product Planner for large cars at Holden for the runout out of VS (I did the 50th Anniversary models) , the VT, VU, WH, VX and early VY (although I thought the styling of VY was not as nice as the more rounded VT and VX). For VT II I remember we made the tail lights more like the EF and EL Falcon rather than the tinted tail lights in VT and we also illuminated the boot lid lights on the VT high series cars as I recall? Good times.
@@markbehr88 awesome stuff, is it true in VX they removed the rear plastic garnish to save money on each car? I preferred the red Garnish on VT and VT2 although the VX and VX2 are still my second favourite of the series.
@@ckaparos Hi Costa. Yes, as part of my role I also needed to identify areas where we could remove cost from the VT as it was expensive to build. The rear garnish looked great but was very expensive to make and caused water leaks. When you opened it the water could sometimes leak over you as you reached in. So, part of the VX program was to rectify that while also making it look different. I briefed Richard Ferlazzo and the team as part of the Product Letter I wrote on the car. Differentiation had been attempted in the past with the VL on the Calais but the volume was not there to justify the cost nso I took a leaf out of Ford’s book on the Fairmont and the Ghia to spread the cost over Berlina and Calais - so more volume to pay for more differentiation. Also, in VT as part of cost reduction, I actually walked the line at Elizabeth (while it was running) to actually look at what parts could be taken out none example was under the carpet where little pieces of foam were moulded and added to smooth out the floor in the front area. We dispensed with those and cut $2 or $3. That may not seem like much but across a couple of hundred thousand cars over two or three years, it all adds up. I think in the end we took about $125 out of the car. That is a big load of cash.
Thanks Damon. It’s been a while but I think the Corp profit was around $10k for an Exec, $13k for Berlina and about $16k for a Calais. These numbers would be impacted by the level of bonus. For VR for example I don’t think we paid any bonuses except for the contracted Liquidation allowance per the dealer agreement when the next model came out - but due to low levels of dealer stock it wasn’t much money. When we ran out VN there was quite a bit of stock so the factory bonuses plus liquidation allowance (as VP was coming) meant we paid out more - impacting the Corporate profit. Please subscribe for more old car videos and info.
It is sad really, these commodores were essentially a staple print from Australia.. the vx ss. Ultimately the vy ss and the vz... After that... All gone.. as soon as VE hit. They turned into rocket powered overpriced missiles.. not much of a selling point then considering the price of fuel and an abundance of overseas cars that were introduced. Xx. Great memories of these cars... Live long
Yes, I do know what you mean. It’s good to see this one in such pristine condition and, hopefully given the demise of Australian car manufacturing, more of the remaining examples will be well looked after. 👍
Great tid bit of info there Mark,wasnt aware of the differentiations,those brochures were beautifully executed.Gotta say...Holden sold us out...getting genuine parts now is basically impossible,so much so that im actually at my wits end...very disapppointed.
Why wouldn’t you see a 20+ year old car in great condition? If you wash, polish and wax your car often, there is no reason a car cannot look brand new forever
That’s a very nice example of a VX SS and a vivid reminder of an exciting era in the rich history of Australian car manufacturing. In my opinion the VT/VX were also the best-looking of all Holden’s contenders in V8 Supercar racing.
Thanks Mark. Agreed. I was struck by the condition of this VX. It was mint.
I now have a Hyper Yellow VX SS Series 2 and that brochure to go with it. Greatest era of Holden’s! 👍🏻
Thanks Bradley. Glad you like that model and the episode 👍
The man behind the brochure behind the car! Alex is in good condition and so is the SS. Great cars were made in Australia - but so many great Aussies played a role from bumper to bumper.
Thanks Rohan. Yes, we definitely lost a lot when the Aussie local car manufacturing industry closed down. More than just the cars themselves.
@@markbehr88 Many will disagree and remind that its their car to modify as they want - but the appeal of this car to me (IMO) is the amazing condition and originality per factory that sets this VX apart. So many clever and trained designers put their efforts into how the cars looked and then novices come along and change the look to create a custom look with bigger wheels and bonnet scoops and the like. Each to their own I guess, but this one looks the business to me, just as it was intended.
@@themediamix1451 100% agree with you Rohan.
I love these cars, had one exactly like this and it is still my favourite car I have ever owned. I miss it and would love a good condition one again but they are getting pretty rare now
Yes, I agree. And this one was such a mint example. 👍
Hi Mark, I just came across this video. This is actually my car! My dad worked for GMAC for over 30 years so Holdens are in our blood. The car was parked outside my house at the time you filmed this. Feel free to knock next time you past. I would love to hear some more history behind the design. This car represents some great memories of all of the company cars my dad had over many many years! Such a shame they are no more.
Wow. That is terrific! It is such a nice example. As new. You don’t see them like this any more. I worked with Richard Ferlazzo on this model and was responsible for the headlight treatment and the differentiation between the L1 cars Executive, S and SS) and the L2 Berlina and L3 Calais. Next time I see it I will knock on your door. Cheers Mark
What a gem. Is it ceramic coated mate?
@@mikewaters6980 It almost looks like it doesn’t it.
@@markbehr88Richard ferlazzo was a brilliant designer. The VX Commodores wouldn't have been his only design projects. I believe he was responsible in helping design the VT Commodore in which the VX Commodore superseded. I'm not sure whether he was involved in the Commodore coupe project in which became the V2 Monaro. He probably was and you'll probably be able to answer that question. He was also responsible for designing the eifijy concept car I believe.
@@BlairSauer yes Richard worked on many models including VT, VX, VY, VZ, VE, VF incl the coupe proposals. Great guy 👍. And Effijy too.
VX Commodores were great cars and still are. An improvement of the very successful VT Commodore. The gen3 5.7 litre V8 engine was a great replacement for the legendary Holden 5 litre V8. There was a few issues with those early gen3 engines in regards to build quality and minor design flaws in regards to the pistons which resulted in engines knocking while cold after start-up which was the result of a flawed piston design and some engines burned oil and those who were good at dipping the oil would've noticed and were having to top up the oil when normally you wouldn't need to. Others who didn't bother doing under bonnet checks wound up on the side of the road with a blown motor. And yes the engines were made in Mexico. Holden realised that and got general motors to get the whip cracking so to speak and sort out those issues in which they had sorted by the time the VX Commodores were in production. I'm sure you were aware of those issues mark and you would have some recollection of them. Otherwise a great engine. Thoroughly enjoyed this video Mark.
Yes. Per the video, I did the VX program amongst others - esp the differentiation strategy The Gen III was a VT2 released. Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
@@markbehr88 Cool. Yes the gen3 did come with the series 2 VT Commodore, I should've put that in my lead comment. Yes and I'm glad you liked and replied to my comment.
@@BlairSauer I like to reply given people make the effort to comment and subscribe 👍
@@markbehr88 Yes I see that. I do appreciate that you do that and I look forward to watching more of your videos. I have your video on the XC Falcon saved into my watch later list in which you posted a week or so ago. I'll definitely be watch it when I get around to it.
@@BlairSauer Thanks. I hope you like it and the XC Playboy edition episode I did this week. 👍
Cool car!
And thanks for the insider details!
Thanks Ivano. Glad you enjoyed it.
Great information Mark. Thank you 🙏
Thanks Fletch. This was the best condition VX I’ve seen in years (since they were new).
I would love to bring one of these over to the UK
@@meirionwilliams-w1p That would be cool. 👍
@markbehr88 yes definitely. I hope to do it one day
@@meirionwilliams-w1p Check out my Commodore history series episodes. 👍
@@meirionwilliams-w1p 👍
I hope you enjoy this mint 5.7 V8 VX Commodore SS plus some inside info on its development. Plus my friend Alex talks about the brochures he created to promote these cars. Please give Alex a Thimbs up👍 Please Like, Comment and Subscribe.
Interesting didn’t think about all the other businesses that went when General Motors pulled out of Australia. Nice commodore
Thanks Gerard. Yes. Even down to the local milk bars and sandwich shops, the milk deliveries, the electricity, the water, gas, garbage collection, the uniform manufacturers etc - the flow on effect is huge. Plus all that great knowledge and expertise and lost opportunities for younger people to get a trade etc.
Proud to say I own a black VX SS series II. Purchased brand new from Winter and Taylor Holden in Geelong in 2002. Only has just over 44k on the clock.
Very cool. I used to call on Winter and Taylor and Smiths when I worked for Holden in the late 1990’s in Victoria. 👍
Hi Mark, it still has the Winter and Taylor sticker on the rear windscreen. Car has never been modified in anyway. Completely as it left the show room floor. I’m probably more scared to drive it these days than when I originally bought it.
@ Cool. Definitely a keeper. 👍
great example
Thanks Tom 👍
The VX headlight treatment was a great way to differentiate the VX. Remember when the reverse effect was done on the last model Avalon, not nice. Had a big collection of brochures when growing up, favorites FE LTD, beautiful renderings and a silver cover that Madonnas infamous book may have emulated (doubtful ) Also 1992 Mazda 929 brochure, beautifal gloss finish & tracing like paper that garnished every page. BOTH were special but lost in later life. Cheers.
Nice recollections James. When I was in Product Planning at Holden I got the idea for those headlights from an early VT prototype. I asked Mike Simcoe “why didn’t you go with those headlights?” To which he replied “the dealers thought it was too progressive” So, I set about getting it done for VX. RIchard Ferlazzo drew up some sketches for me and I presented them at the Dealer Product Sub Committee - but had individually spoken to them to get their support as an appropriate and noticeable face lift for VT. They all agreed and when the time for voting came around it was unanimous - Job done!
Nice VX, I personally liked the VT series 2 as my personal favourite in styling in the VT-VZ range. Great insight to the good times you both had at GM Holden. End of an era unfortunately.
Thanks Costa. Yes the VT 11 was a nice model. I was Senior Product Planner for large cars at Holden for the runout out of VS (I did the 50th Anniversary models) , the VT, VU, WH, VX and early VY (although I thought the styling of VY was not as nice as the more rounded VT and VX). For VT II I remember we made the tail lights more like the EF and EL Falcon rather than the tinted tail lights in VT and we also illuminated the boot lid lights on the VT high series cars as I recall? Good times.
@@markbehr88 awesome stuff, is it true in VX they removed the rear plastic garnish to save money on each car? I preferred the red Garnish on VT and VT2 although the VX and VX2 are still my second favourite of the series.
@@ckaparos Hi Costa. Yes, as part of my role I also needed to identify areas where we could remove cost from the VT as it was expensive to build. The rear garnish looked great but was very expensive to make and caused water leaks. When you opened it the water could sometimes leak over you as you reached in. So, part of the VX program was to rectify that while also making it look different. I briefed Richard Ferlazzo and the team as part of the Product Letter I wrote on the car. Differentiation had been attempted in the past with the VL on the Calais but the volume was not there to justify the cost nso I took a leaf out of Ford’s book on the Fairmont and the Ghia to spread the cost over Berlina and Calais - so more volume to pay for more differentiation. Also, in VT as part of cost reduction, I actually walked the line at Elizabeth (while it was running) to actually look at what parts could be taken out none example was under the carpet where little pieces of foam were moulded and added to smooth out the floor in the front area. We dispensed with those and cut $2 or $3. That may not seem like much but across a couple of hundred thousand cars over two or three years, it all adds up. I think in the end we took about $125 out of the car. That is a big load of cash.
@@markbehr88 that's really interesting. How much would it cost to build a single VTII?
Thanks Damon. It’s been a while but I think the Corp profit was around $10k for an Exec, $13k for Berlina and about $16k for a Calais. These numbers would be impacted by the level of bonus. For VR for example I don’t think we paid any bonuses except for the contracted Liquidation allowance per the dealer agreement when the next model came out - but due to low levels of dealer stock it wasn’t much money. When we ran out VN there was quite a bit of stock so the factory bonuses plus liquidation allowance (as VP was coming) meant we paid out more - impacting the Corporate profit. Please subscribe for more old car videos and info.
It is sad really, these commodores were essentially a staple print from Australia.. the vx ss. Ultimately the vy ss and the vz... After that... All gone.. as soon as VE hit. They turned into rocket powered overpriced missiles.. not much of a selling point then considering the price of fuel and an abundance of overseas cars that were introduced. Xx. Great memories of these cars... Live long
Yes, I do know what you mean. It’s good to see this one in such pristine condition and, hopefully given the demise of Australian car manufacturing, more of the remaining examples will be well looked after. 👍
Great tid bit of info there Mark,wasnt aware of the differentiations,those brochures were beautifully executed.Gotta say...Holden sold us out...getting genuine parts now is basically impossible,so much so that im actually at my wits end...very disapppointed.
Thanks. That’s no good re the Holden parts supply! 🤔
Wait a tick, that's Pontiac GTO....
The Monaro version certainly is or was. Appreciate the comment 👍
Why wouldn’t you see a 20+ year old car in great condition? If you wash, polish and wax your car often, there is no reason a car cannot look brand new forever
Sure, but look around and you will find there are very few left in this condition. Not to say it can’t be done, it just isn’t commonplace.
Unfortunately you are correct. It’s so simple to keep a car looking like new yet they become neglected
@@steve1714 Agreed.
Jeans Iola