Addicted To Cars - Holden VN Calais 5-Litre 

He should've known to tap the dash to check the fuel level😉

I still think the 5L has the best sound

I worked at Holden's in the Elizabeth body shop as a leading hand from Dec '87 till mid '97. worked on the last of the VL's till we switched over to the VN. it was a huge change, going from body shell's that were basically manually assembled from start to finish on large rolling jigs till they were at a stage where they came off them and on to the body trucks that rolled down the line to have things like doors,bootlids, bonnets etc fitted to being assembled on the shuttle line where robots performed most of the spotwelding that was originally done by hand on the old lines. there were many teething problems to start with but bit by bit the bugs were ironed out. in my section, where we metal finished the MIG brazed roof joints, along with other highly visible spot welded area's we had many issues with poor panel fit that required us to lead fill certain spots to reduce the incidence of water leaks in the final assembly testing area's till changes could be made to the actual die's to improve panel fit and eliminate the issues that we had. we used to have a VL Commodore wagon in the rework area of the bodyshop that was originally a test mule for the original fuel injected V8 used in the VN. it had a handmade intake manifold that was almost identical to the cast aluminium one used on the VN, along with the necessary experimental ECU's etc that they needed to test to get the injected V8 ready for full production.

The most easily stolen car in Australia.

For those of us that put them back together new,we salute the ones that kept them running in one piece

Love the 5L. I have a 94 hsv maloo with 5 speed manual and love it😍😍

There was a time when if you had an ex-cop V8 VN interceptor you were king.

I've had 4 of these 5L injected V8s, all manual (VN ex pursuit, VP SS and 2 VS SS).... They were relatively light, punchy bottom end and sounded awesome. Not nearly as quick as an LS1 but more of a bottom end motor and you could cruise everywhere in 4th gear from 20km/hr up to 200km/hr. Fuel economy was similar to a 4L Falcon (14L/100km city, 9L/100km country)

My grandfather has a 1988 VN Executive 5 speed manual V6 with the optional Formula pack. He traded a late 60s model Mercedes for it back in 88' and has owned it since. It has nearly 300,000kms on the clock but still drives well. I adore the car so much so that I've asked for it. He also has a VY S pack manual that he now daily's so the VN lives out on a farm where it sits undercover and is driven every so often by both my aunt and uncle.

First video of you guys, 30 seconds in, subscribed! Love the content, looking forward to watching more. Thanks!

👍👍👍👌😍😍👌👍👍👍👍 Nice car.... Love this 80's cars. The dsgn was absolutely cool...👌👌

1:00 so surreal seeing a 3.8 so clean

The old battery that was impossible to get out. Tail lights that use to leak like a sieve

It's amazing how much more efficient engines get over time. My first car was a VB/SLE with the 253 and that thing only had 85 or something KW. This VN has an extra 100kw and these days a V6 3.6l commodore has 175-190kw. Fun fact, a VNs were meant to have RB motors but ended up going with the Buick because they were cheaper. You can actually bolt a VL crossmember into a VN and drop in an RB motor.

Dads got a VN BT1 sitting in the shed on trickle charge, white with the grey plastics and silver interceptor stockies. Such fond memories as a kid of him coming home from work, pulling into the garage, and as he turned it off all you heard was a big "FWOOOR" exhale from the exhaust. Funny... I actually called him on the weekend and said mate if you ever even think about selling it contact me straight away. I'll take it in a heartbeat no mates rates. Ever since that call I haven't had the thought of these beautiful cars leave my mind. I think i'm in love.

on a 5ltr YT binge, just bought a VT SS 5ltr manual :) love it..the sound

Good review. Did anyone else find it strange the way he said kilowatt....Kelowatt lol

Well done guys - cool vid!

Wow, hard to believe it was 30 years ago. I owned a VK Calais and recall taking a VN Calais for a test drive in about October of '88. Essentially a re engineered Opel Omega, they were very flash in the day. Just goes to show how engine technology has changed. The V8 SS had 165kw, my Kluger V6 has 218kw! Great video, thanks for the upload.

Tell me more about these Keeeeellow-watts.

Good example of a classic , the presenter is really cool to listen too, good explanation etc 👍👍

my first 4 cars were Vp and Vn wagons the old trading post days!

I still have my vacationer vn v6 wagon brought brand new from Holden in Sydney, car still going in 2020...long live the vn,

My mate had a V6 VN for his first car. They were only 10 years old then. Went like the clappers.

Who would of thought these old boats would be as sought after as they are now..?

Had a vp back in the day Everything broke on that Diff, trans, engine, power windows, ignition barrel, bushes, shocks, power steering rack and pumps

The old VN you gotta love them V8 or V6 I remember my old mans VN midnight purple chrome rims full exhaust extractors ect ect loved it I thought it was the beez knees

Can't believe you went to sugy pad in a vn and didn't send it 😂 bloody good example of a vn tho, best newy has had on its roads in a while

Love the sound of these motors

Mad yarn ,gotta love the ol VN.

At least you guys got a V8 option. Here in the U.K., our Vauxhall Carlton / Senator (essentially the same cars) came with a 3.0 straight six putting out just over 200hp. Mind you, they were pretty fast for their day, and the police loved them as traffic cars.

I remember having one when I was senior Sargent at Mount Thomas station

i was born in 87 and just got my hands on one of these. not exactly stock but still love it and plan to keep it for a while.

Vauxhall/Opel Omega in Europe. We only got the 3.2 litre V6. Still good for over 150mph though. Some British Police Forces had them for a long time.

Had exactly the same car back in the day but in blue,was a an awesome car.

thank you, very much enjoyed

"165 KW???" We may laugh today at a V8 with less horsepower than a V6 Camry, but remember these cars were the same weight as a modern Corolla, so they absolutely flew.

I remember not long after they came out a few years maybe. My brother in law had one with a body kit ( he called it ) and it looked like a Plymouth roadrunner. I used to lmao

THIS IS A CAR. So many memories good power to weight for its day and a light ass end so much fun

Love the car. I had the same model with grey leather seats. I rebuilt the engine with just over 200kw. Went really well. Spewing I sold it now

Yep just got mine back so happy ...factory 5L 5 speed Got me Torrie back to whoop whoop

I bought a vn v8 for 500 unregistered about 10 years back. Took it out bush and thrashed it untill the wheels fell off.. I knew the moment it was over I would regret this some day. Now they becoming so rare. This one had life in her too

So Aussie - opening the bonnet of a VN Calais “Alroooiiiigghhht, the foiiive loiitre” STRAYA!

One of my mates in Orange had the HSV version, he also owned a VK Brock SS. I never appreciated how awesome these cars were until years later, and how it was almost an honor to even be a passenger in one of these legendary cars.

Nothing sounds better than 5l V8, I have VR BT1 with 185kw engine with lukey extractor and exaust and sonds amazing.

Who the hell drives a VN and doesn't rip a one wheel skid???? Great example of an underrated car 😁

They were the ducks guts in the day.Great motor the injected V8. My dad ordered a standard Executive V6, the Buick sourced donk. Somewhat coarse tho they went like stink,even in stock form. Fuel injection made the world of difference,and the beginning in Australia of the modern car. Great upload,keep them coming. :))

Loved the video! I love learning about cars .... certainly australian ... Grtz from belgium

Still love my 1989 VN APV group5i

Fixing water leaks around the rear screen at pre-delivery. Good times.

I had a 5ltr VP Calais. Much improved over the VN.

Beautiful calais Real credit to the owners

This brings back some memories. I used to have a series 1 VN V6 in the same colour as this (single colour though, not two tone). Never had any major problems with it other than trying to take off from traffic lights in the wet if there was an incline (impossible without spinning the wheels). The series one V6’s had so much torque from basically idle it was ridiculous. I can see why so many ended up wrapped around power poles as the handling was diabolical in the wet and not too much better in the dry. Coupled this with the huge torque from idle and you had to drive it very conservatively if it was raining just so you didn’t end up having a discussion with the grim reaper! I still miss that car and would probably still have it if some sheila didn’t decide to run a stop sign and take it out.

Aged well. Would like one in that Calais version

This Holden reminds me of the Opel Senator / Vauxhaull Carlton 🙂🙂

I've always wanted a atlas grey Vn ss

such a good car

You always knew when the highway patrol was close buy Roar from the 5L was unmistakable

My parents had one of the few manual VN Calais, sold it to get the LS1 VT

Had a '90 Berlina sedan, 5 litre. Must have had a "Wednesday engine" in it, it was a rocket even stock. A shift kit, 2.5" cat back exhaust, big hole in the airbox, and the timing advanced to 14 degrees initial, and it did a 14.6@150kph, not a bad old thing..

Spotto. Mount Sugerloaf car park. Newcastle representing!

My recollection is that the VP was a HUGE improvement

Funny that these are in fashion now. you could buy these for scrap prices not long ago. They do drive like a hunk of junk like nearly all 80's cars.

The Sv89 - Sv5000 and Vn Grp A were awesome

The Holden VN Calais has the exact same chromed plastic badge on its trunk/boot lid as the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais has on its side fenders.

I reckon the L67 is why Holden replaced the 5.0 with the LS1

Can’t believe it’s 30 .. where does time go!

A Commodore with it's original fuel flap now there's something you don't see everyday

What about the old twin exhaust system (pipes out each side of the rear)?Single (?) exhaust for a V8,I dont think so,mate.

That’s why I’ve got a 5 speed VL in my backyard

looks like something between the Opel Senator and Chevrolet Caprice of the same era

A have an immaculate 96 VS series 2 5 litre.love it.

Was that a plug for Allen’s lollies towards the end? Or did I miss something about him eating those lollies before jumping back in the car...

Need to thank Opel for providing the Omega A as a base for this vehicle.

My dad had a interceptor right out of the police force when they were moving on best on the time hsv running gear use to blow the doors of every one I wish I could of seen it

Wish I hung on to mine 😩

Damn this thing is pretty

Not a huge Commodore fan, but this one was a classic 👌

My dads first car with a V8 engine was one of these. A VN Calais manual 5.0L. No traction control so when he floored it he shat himself

Young kids of today Will never know how much of a big thing the vn was when released the v8 was very powerful but as vns became older most had a horrible problem with the paint fading baldly from the sun I once heard a spraypainter tell me with the vns the paint didn't contain any lead in it and that is why so many had fading problems and also they where the least holden released with the smallest amount of color options

I'm on the hunt for one these vns

You forgot to mention the bonnet hinges. They clap out randomly and then when you open the bonnet, it smashes the lower corner of the windscreen.

Apparently the later models of the VN were detuned coz people were complaining they couldn’t take off from a standing stop without wheel spin.

the best 4wd offroading vechile

I have always wondered if a C20let or C20Xe would bolt into one of the poverty spec 2.0L models. That would wake it up.

Nice edit boys 👍😊

More please

Best sized back seat going round VN - VS.

The Holden VN Calais may have the name of a later model econobox Oldsmobile Cutlass, but it looks like it was built on the same frame as the 1990-1998 Chevrolet Caprice/Caprice Classic/Caprice Estate/Impala SS and Buick Park Avenue/Roadmaster. Am I right on that statement, and am I also right on it being built with many of the same parts as well, yes or no?

Hello my friend.I am in Indonesia mobil tua yang sangat bagus. Orisinil

Wow, how times have changed! Only 165kw from a V8! Haha

Keeeelawatts

Is this Phoenix red ?? What colour is the grey called ?

She’s a beaut, that’s for damn sure

More content on classic aussie cars such as this.. cheers

I made some of those intake manifolds

I spy with my little eye, something beginning with Mount Sugarloaf and George Booth Drive.....

There’s some Buick and olds dna in there.

I had a VN commodore , it was in NZ when I lived there , they used to put 2.0 litres in these in NZ yuck 🤢 huh , anyway the one I had did originally have a 2.0 litre someone ripped it out and put the RB30 Nissan 3.0 litre motor in along with some extractors , and was all certified by the time I bought it , and what a good idea it is to put the 3.0 motor in these , the motors light and the car absolutely hauled arse and the other thing is the Nissan /holden badging on rocket cover was the most balanced engine you could put in these cars , you would have to convert one and drive one to see exactly what I mean the cars with the 3.0 litre conversions are phenomenal and also extremely fuel efficient

Did you rock a mullet back in 89?