I bought one in 1995 and I still have it. Factory turbo exec auto, not as good as this one but my kids were bought up in mine. It made an excellent and competent family car, at its best travelling at speed on the open road and it passed well, with an intercooler and 14 psi on the otherwise stock motor. Been in storage for eight years and after visiting it recently it was like seeing someone close who you thought was gone forever, it's looks better than I expected. And when I opened the door the smell alone would have told me it was my VL. I stuck to my guns when pressured to sell it and never gave in, it'll be home again soon and when it is I'll probably just sit in it and go down memory lane for awhile.
I test drove one with my Dad when I was 6 years old in 1987! I was sat in the back in the middle seat. I remember my Dad and the salesman making remarks about how you could feel the turbo boost come on and push you back in the seat, yet it was so smooth. I never stopped being fascinated with turbo's and engines from that day forward.
Fun fact, the boss of my 80s Nissan dealer on the Sunshine Coast bought the only RB30ET R31 Skyline from Nissan Australia at their dealer auction. It had been the Nissan test and calibration car for the VL project, and instead of it being destroyed or stripped down they just put it in the dealer auction! It was otherwise just a regular white series one SVD Skyline GTS. It was properly fast after a bit of a tweak to the waste gate and water injection was added 😁👍 Used to see quite a lot after it was finally sold, but now for years now.
I am absolutely impressed with how much has been kept stock in that engine bay. You'll only ever hear an Aussie say, "its only done 160 thousand k's" like it's still fresh off the production line.
Hi, Commodore Guy, If you think this VL turbo is good, you need to see mine. I have a 1988 VL Berlina Wagon. In venetian red. I am the second owner. it is as original as one of these can get. Never damaged, never painted, only the windscreen rust repaired and my it only has 90,000 klms on it from new. I also have documented history to prove the KLMs as VL odometers were prone to be rewinded or malfunction. Its not a turbo, but the mum and dads car from the late 80s. That's what I love about it. secondly to that I have a 2016 VF2 Calais, with the 6.2 V8 and the light bone coloured interior. I parked it 9 months ago cause they are the next collectables. While I'm sure there are more than mine out there I've never seen one in the same colour combinations. You asked for people to get in touch. I have. Cheers.
When I was coming up in the early 90's a lot of my friends were getting VL's. Mainly exec's but I remember one fella had a light blue Calais. Beautifull car. I had a VK. I owned mine whereas those blokes were paying off there VL's. Later my brother got a 5 speed turbo. He ended up selling it for about 7k in the late 90's.
Some things you just never forget. Back in the 90's I rode quite a few times in a stock standard Burgundy VL Berlina Turbo 5 speed manual. It was a very nice car indeed. Didn't go too bad either I recall.
Beautiful car they only stock once. I sold my vl sl turbo 5 speed for peanuts back in the day and always thought yeh ill get another one someday. If only we knew back then
Great Video an appreciated thre time/ effort you go to. Brings back memories 1i 1987 year 7, My Dad bought a brand new Citrus Yellow XF Falcon GL , with all the extras an my mates Dad a month later brought a VL Electric Blue executive . An I really loved the colour of Both cars an the looks . ( I was an still am a Ford Man), but the VL have always liked
Awesome mate was my dream car too so can relate.so good to see a original one which u never see now .would luv to have one still although I luv my ford turbo which I have now got fgx tubo ute.but will always luv those vl turbo.wel done getting this car on ur chanel mate so great to see.
Love the VL! The owner has done a magnificent job of keeping it in such good original condition 👍 I've owned 3 VL's in my life one 6cyl auto and 2 V8's one of which ran high 11's. I had a couple of opportunities to purchase a turbo model and I even test drove a VL with an RB20 (different) manual but it was an absolute slug. Anyway back in the day once the young folk got a hold of these they'd all been thrashed or written off plus VL's were notorious for rust. Now they are worth more than I can afford.
Yeah the rust around the front and rear screens was horrible on the vls, awesome thrash car though with a 5 speed and an lsd, learnt to drift in a vl. Don't get me wrong preferred my 333 pack vk but the vl had a clutch an zero f#cks given. Now being responsible l shouldn't afford either.
Interning your comment re the brakes. I drove them for over two years in a past life and they did stop. The wheels and brakes were functional if you stopped the pedal would go to the floor. Moving within 300 metres enough cooling and full pedal.
Years ago I went to a car auction in Auckland and spotted a 5 speed manual vl turbo.Had no turbo badges i think it was a ex aussie police car.Pointed it out to the old man and he ended up buying it.Hate to think how much it would be worth now.
The only thing I didn't love about the VL was some of the left overs from the previous models of Commodore it retained. The indicator stalk and some of the interior appointments.
Interestingly, the car featured had SL logo on dash, meaning it's an SL Turbo essentially. I'm no expert but I was under the impression that Exec meant that AC & Power Steer was standard instead of optional in the SL range. Sort of like next tier up from an SL. Also did they phase out the SL badge on the VL and the Executive trim carried on the legacy?
The mx7 box really brought them to life, the autos not so much laggy af without a stall, just boost an a6 the genuine a8 is not worth the asking price. You left out how holden was involved with the design of them as they didn't want to spend the money on the 202 to advance it with emissions etc hence why the rb30 was only available in Australia, jdm r31 skylines had the rb20 in aus they had the rb30. Then holden stooped low to the buick v6 rocking revamped 60s tech
@@96libertytt The six cylinder UC Toranas could have a dealer installed turbo fitted with a full factory GMH warranty. They were quicker than an LX A9X up to 100kph.
Not a factory turbo tho. Was dealer fitted 6 cyl commodores pre vl with normalair garrett draw thru kits and the like as well but never a factory offering like the vl was
@@brendanmeadors3099 What is the difference? Are HSV Holdens not factory cars? Tons of Holdens were built or modified outside of the factory for GMH. If you can walk into a Holden dealer and buy a new Holden with a full GMH warranty then who cares where every bit is made. How do you know the turbos on VLs weren't retro fitted outside of the main factory?
@@amraceway big difference. If it didn't come down the production line as a turbo car it isn't a factory job plain and simple. And the factory build plate will show that.
I had a silver berlina that was stolen and written off. I miss her every day, I bought it when I was 15 after working for 3 months off an old fella. $2.5k… Had her for 4 years before the theft…
Is worth only what someone’s willing to pay… $50K would certainly be a floor in prices ( depending on the condition of course) , but could easily command $60-$65K for. Dead stock version . If there aren’t many on sale, then it’s a sellers market…
@@paulsz6194 There's an Absinthe Yellow ID008D Vic pol BT1 currently on carsales for $60K in Clyde Victoria. IMO, that's the holy Grail of VLT's. It's a buyers markets. Covid tax has truly sailed as I've seen these for $90K. Agree, it's what people are willing to pay.
@@paulsz6194 For some reason, my post is not getting listed as I have posted yesterday. There is an Absinthe Yellow 1D008D Vic Pol VLT on carsales currently for $60K. I will get that over this any day. IMO, that is the holy grail of VLT.
The VL looked SO much better than the old VK series plastic looking shitbox. IMHO. Nasty dash, ugly as sin, and not great in any way. The VK/VK1/2. Lovely engine, that Nissan.
I bought one in 1995 and I still have it. Factory turbo exec auto, not as good as this one but my kids were bought up in mine. It made an excellent and competent family car, at its best travelling at speed on the open road and it passed well, with an intercooler and 14 psi on the otherwise stock motor. Been in storage for eight years and after visiting it recently it was like seeing someone close who you thought was gone forever, it's looks better than I expected. And when I opened the door the smell alone would have told me it was my VL. I stuck to my guns when pressured to sell it and never gave in, it'll be home again soon and when it is I'll probably just sit in it and go down memory lane for awhile.
I test drove one with my Dad when I was 6 years old in 1987! I was sat in the back in the middle seat. I remember my Dad and the salesman making remarks about how you could feel the turbo boost come on and push you back in the seat, yet it was so smooth. I never stopped being fascinated with turbo's and engines from that day forward.
Fun fact, the boss of my 80s Nissan dealer on the Sunshine Coast bought the only RB30ET R31 Skyline from Nissan Australia at their dealer auction.
It had been the Nissan test and calibration car for the VL project, and instead of it being destroyed or stripped down they just put it in the dealer auction!
It was otherwise just a regular white series one SVD Skyline GTS.
It was properly fast after a bit of a tweak to the waste gate and water injection was added 😁👍
Used to see quite a lot after it was finally sold, but now for years now.
I am absolutely impressed with how much has been kept stock in that engine bay.
You'll only ever hear an Aussie say, "its only done 160 thousand k's" like it's still fresh off the production line.
I'm from the UK so I've never seen a VL turbo in person and probably never will but I 100% get it and I think they're so bloody cool
Hi, Commodore Guy,
If you think this VL turbo is good, you need to see mine.
I have a 1988 VL Berlina Wagon. In venetian red.
I am the second owner. it is as original as one of these can get.
Never damaged, never painted, only the windscreen rust repaired and my it only has 90,000 klms on it from new.
I also have documented history to prove the KLMs as VL odometers were prone to be rewinded or malfunction.
Its not a turbo, but the mum and dads car from the late 80s. That's what I love about it.
secondly to that I have a 2016 VF2 Calais, with the 6.2 V8 and the light bone coloured interior.
I parked it 9 months ago cause they are the next collectables. While I'm sure there are more than mine out there I've never seen one in the same colour combinations.
You asked for people to get in touch. I have. Cheers.
When I was coming up in the early 90's a lot of my friends were getting VL's. Mainly exec's but I remember one fella had a light blue Calais. Beautifull car. I had a VK. I owned mine whereas those blokes were paying off there VL's. Later my brother got a 5 speed turbo. He ended up selling it for about 7k in the late 90's.
Some things you just never forget. Back in the 90's I rode quite a few times in a stock standard Burgundy VL Berlina Turbo 5 speed manual. It was a very nice car indeed. Didn't go too bad either I recall.
Had a Brock turbo as a company car, back in the day. Back then it was 36k car!! Ridiculously expensive.
They were excellent actually
Beautiful car they only stock once.
I sold my vl sl turbo 5 speed for peanuts back in the day and always thought yeh ill get another one someday. If only we knew back then
Great video sir!! You bring back great memories. I had 3 of these bad boys! They are absolutely fantastic. I just wish I had kept one!
Thanks mate!
Great Video an appreciated thre time/ effort you go to. Brings back memories 1i 1987 year 7, My Dad bought a brand new Citrus Yellow XF Falcon GL , with all the extras an my mates Dad a month later brought a VL Electric Blue executive . An I really loved the colour of Both cars an the looks . ( I was an still am a Ford Man), but the VL have always liked
Awesome mate was my dream car too so can relate.so good to see a original one which u never see now .would luv to have one still although I luv my ford turbo which I have now got fgx tubo ute.but will always luv those vl turbo.wel done getting this car on ur chanel mate so great to see.
Love the VL! The owner has done a magnificent job of keeping it in such good original condition 👍 I've owned 3 VL's in my life one 6cyl auto and 2 V8's one of which ran high 11's. I had a couple of opportunities to purchase a turbo model and I even test drove a VL with an RB20 (different) manual but it was an absolute slug. Anyway back in the day once the young folk got a hold of these they'd all been thrashed or written off plus VL's were notorious for rust. Now they are worth more than I can afford.
Yeah the rust around the front and rear screens was horrible on the vls, awesome thrash car though with a 5 speed and an lsd, learnt to drift in a vl. Don't get me wrong preferred my 333 pack vk but the vl had a clutch an zero f#cks given. Now being responsible l shouldn't afford either.
Interning your comment re the brakes. I drove them for over two years in a past life and they did stop. The wheels and brakes were functional if you stopped the pedal would go to the floor. Moving within 300 metres enough cooling and full pedal.
I remember as a kid a cleaner at my primary school had a gold turbo VL, and it would make the turbo noises.🐌
Years ago I went to a car auction in Auckland and spotted a 5 speed manual vl turbo.Had no turbo badges i think it was a ex aussie police car.Pointed it out to the old man and he ended up buying it.Hate to think how much it would be worth now.
My dad owned a gold manual version of this car .
How awesome! Been around so many VL's, but never a turbo. Go figure.....
Cool car look good 💯
Had one for my first car. Regretted selling it from day 1. Currently trying to find it to see if I can buy it back. 🤞
Keep up with the good work see you soon
The canary yellow ones are the go
If it’s bone stock and an Executive then why does it have an SL badge on the radio bezel? 6:01
The only thing I didn't love about the VL was some of the left overs from the previous models of Commodore it retained. The indicator stalk and some of the interior appointments.
The indicator stalk was new for VL
Gorgeous! IIRC there were some other holdens with isuzu engines.. Geminis? That VL sounds delicious.
Exactlt, the mighty Gemini
Gotta love an unrestored VL
I had a VL Calais back in the day, don’t remember if it had a turbo or not. I don’t think it did.
Does it come with twisted seatbelt from factory?
I think you like that car😝
Never knew they had executive turbos.. I thought they only had SL turbo, Berlina turbo and Calais turbo.
Interestingly, the car featured had SL logo on dash, meaning it's an SL Turbo essentially. I'm no expert but I was under the impression that Exec meant that AC & Power Steer was standard instead of optional in the SL range. Sort of like next tier up from an SL. Also did they phase out the SL badge on the VL and the Executive trim carried on the legacy?
The police loved their vl interceptors and then wrx & many wrx were accidentally involved in accidents by the fuzz.
Great 👍
Mate spent abit on shocks bit lower n just whent n handled. Well'
The mx7 box really brought them to life, the autos not so much laggy af without a stall, just boost an a6 the genuine a8 is not worth the asking price. You left out how holden was involved with the design of them as they didn't want to spend the money on the 202 to advance it with emissions etc hence why the rb30 was only available in Australia, jdm r31 skylines had the rb20 in aus they had the rb30. Then holden stooped low to the buick v6 rocking revamped 60s tech
The second Holden to be fitted with a turbo.
Was the Piazza the first?
@@96libertytt The six cylinder UC Toranas could have a dealer installed turbo fitted with a full factory GMH warranty. They were quicker than an LX A9X up to 100kph.
Not a factory turbo tho. Was dealer fitted 6 cyl commodores pre vl with normalair garrett draw thru kits and the like as well but never a factory offering like the vl was
@@brendanmeadors3099 What is the difference? Are HSV Holdens not factory cars? Tons of Holdens were built or modified outside of the factory for GMH. If you can walk into a Holden dealer and buy a new Holden with a full GMH warranty then who cares where every bit is made. How do you know the turbos on VLs weren't retro fitted outside of the main factory?
@@amraceway big difference. If it didn't come down the production line as a turbo car it isn't a factory job plain and simple. And the factory build plate will show that.
Controversial question, can we claim the RB30 as our own 🇦🇺?
Would be cool to see a 32 or 33 on the channel!!!
Haha! Filmed a 32 yesterday!
keen for that one hope it was as good as you'd wanted it to be
I had a silver berlina that was stolen and written off. I miss her every day, I bought it when I was 15 after working for 3 months off an old fella. $2.5k… Had her for 4 years before the theft…
my awd hybrid rav4 has 163 kw of power so it is just a bit more than the standard vl turbo how times have changed
And your RAV weighs about 1300kg right????? I think not. The old VL would easily smoke your RAV.
😍😍😍😍
It’s a fkn turbo give it some jet.
I love stock std but yeah I’m not going to be spending all my time looking at stock cars 😂. I already know what they look like.
I bought mine brand new with 5 km on the clock.............................
The only decent engine in a Holden
does a factory vl turbo dose? or is that a modification. I'm a carby v8 guy anyway.
Na need cooler
No dose, but there is a whoosh sound when the pressure is released. There's more to life than dosing. It's also internally wastgated.
isnt it also a nissan gearbox they did good gearboxes back in those days b4 they went to cvt shit box transmissions
What's she worth?
I could see it going anywhere between 60 to 80.
@@96libertytt It's not a BT1. So maybe around 50 ish
Is worth only what someone’s willing to pay… $50K would certainly be a floor in prices ( depending on the condition of course) , but could easily command $60-$65K for. Dead stock version . If there aren’t many on sale, then it’s a sellers market…
@@paulsz6194 There's an Absinthe Yellow ID008D Vic pol BT1 currently on carsales for $60K in Clyde Victoria. IMO, that's the holy Grail of VLT's. It's a buyers markets. Covid tax has truly sailed as I've seen these for $90K. Agree, it's what people are willing to pay.
@@paulsz6194 For some reason, my post is not getting listed as I have posted yesterday. There is an Absinthe Yellow 1D008D Vic Pol VLT on carsales currently for $60K. I will get that over this any day. IMO, that is the holy grail of VLT.
Yer had a na wagon 5 speed was good. But yer
The VL looked SO much better than the old VK series plastic looking shitbox.
IMHO.
Nasty dash, ugly as sin, and not great in any way. The VK/VK1/2.
Lovely engine, that Nissan.
Alot were fast but nasty to drive.
Only reason these were good was because of the nissan motor.
That steering wheel cover 🤮.
Yeah the car that got rhe shitty block then Nissan