Quarter-century of Commodore

COMMODORE will celebrate its 25th year in production this October, making it by far the longest running Holden nameplate.

But unlike the latest, VY Series II version, the first VB Commodore of October, 1978, was a landmark vehicle, based on the General Motors “world car” platform of the time. That meant it was considerably smaller than its Kingswood predecessors, as economic rationalisation and oil price shocks hit home.

VB Commodore was released in three guises, with pricing starting at $6513, and 95,906 VBs were sold between October, 1978, and March, 1980, when the VC was released. By comparison, Holden is on track to sell 89,000 Commodores this year alone, its second-best sales result.

Seven years and $110 million in the making, VB Commodore’s benchmark ride and handling characteristics were partly the product of young German chassis engineer Peter Hanenberger, who helped develop the revolutionary Radial Tuned Suspension that became its hallmark.

Of course, after stints with Opel and GM in Europe, Mr Hanenberger returned to Holden in 1999 as chairman and CEO, and will retire at the end of 2003 following six consecutive years of Commodore leadership in Australia’s large car market.

Mr Hanenberger presided over the release of the 11th and 12th Commodore models in 2000 (VX) and 2002 (VY), which were preceded by the VB (1978), VC (1980), VH (1981), VK (1984), VL (1986), VN (1988), VP (1991), VR (1993), VS (1995) and VT (1997). Major model upgrades occurred in 1988 with the all-new VN Commodore and in 1997 with the all-new VT Commodore.

“We were determined that the first Commodore would be a benchmark car – and history shows that it succeeded so well that ride and handling are now key Holden brand characteristics,” said Mr Hanenberger.

“Each major Commodore model marked a turning point for Holden – and for a number of different reasons. In their time, they each delivered industry and market leading qualities that would change the way consumers viewed family cars. It is Holden’s enduring challenge to continue this tradition.”

Some 2,126,453 Commodores were produced between 1978 and July, 2003, including more than 180,000 export Commodore sedans and wagons destined for markets including the Middle East, Brazil, South Africa, New Zealand, Brunei and Fiji.

Meantime, Ford Australia recently produced its three-millionth Falcon, which began production in 1960.

*Also check out our in-depth model-by-model guide, plus comprehensive pricing and weight tables in the New Models section.