From the 1960s to the New Millennium, Holden and Ford dominated Australian new car sales. The mainstay of the former’s model range was the Commodore, available in Sedan, Station Wagon, and Ute body styles. Our featured car is a 1997 VS Commodore Berlina with an incredible 18,000 kilometers (11,200 miles) on the clock. It has an interesting history and could be the best Berlina survivor on the planet. The seller has listed it here at The Motor Gallery in Moorabbin, Victoria, Australia. They set the price at A$29,900, which translates to US$21,000 at the current exchange rate.
Launched in April 1995, the VS variant was the final version of Holden’s Second Generation Commodore. Both Holden and Ford were riding the crest of a wave, dominating the market with the Commodore and Falcon. Cosmetically, little separated the VS from the preceding VR, but the biggest changes were under the skin. This VS is the more luxurious Berlina variant, sitting one rung below the range-topping Calais. Finished in Silver Ice Metallic, its condition is consistent with the odometer reading. It has spent its life in the care of a former Holden executive who obviously cherished it. The paint isn’t faded or patchy, and the panels are laser-straight. Rust isn’t an issue, and the original alloy wheels are spotless. The Berlina sports a few genuine Holden accessories, including a nudge bar, a rear spoiler, wind deflectors, and the correct Holden-branded mudflaps.
Some Australian readers will be disappointed that this Berlina doesn’t feature a V8 under the hood, but the motor occupying the engine bay represented the biggest change to the VS range. The car retained the 3.8-liter V6 derived from the Buick powerplant of the same capacity. However, a major reengineering effort produced what became known as the Ecotec motor, producing significantly more power and torque than the previous motor while delivering improved fuel economy. Holden claimed power and torque figures of 147Kw and 304Nm (197hp and 224 ft/lbs), which fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission. Power steering was standard, and this Berlina also features anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes. Contemporary motoring publications were consistently impressed by the Ecotec, describing it as significantly smoother and more responsive than its predecessor. It was also surprisingly fast, with an Ecotec-equipped Commodore topping 130mph at the company’s Lang Lang Proving Ground. The engine bay is spotless, and I see nothing to suggest this Holden is anything but a turnkey proposition.
By modern standards, the Berlina is sparsely equipped, though it would have been impressive for a 1997 family Sedan that could seat five. This car features a driver’s airbag, climate-controlled air conditioning, power windows, remote central locking, power mirrors, cruise control, a trip computer, a rear defogger, a tilt wheel, and a premium Eurovox AM/FM radio/cassette player with four speakers and a power antenna. Trimmed in varying shades of Gray, the only evidence that this Berlina has ever seen action is the slight stretching on the driver’s seat base. The remaining upholstered surfaces look flawless, and the carpet is in excellent condition. The Australian car industry was a global leader in plastic technology, developing interior components designed to cope with the country’s harsh UV rays. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the plastic inside this Commodore remains in good condition.
On October 20th, 2017, the last Commodore rolled off the line at Holden’s manufacturing facility in Elizabeth, South Australia. The company focused on imports, but buyers never warmed to a front-wheel-drive Opel wearing Commodore badges. The Commodore had forged its reputation as rugged rear-wheel-drive family transport, and anything less was unacceptable. Faced with declining sales, General Motors retired the brand on January 1st, 2021. With the demise of the domestically produced Commodore, Australia lost a glorious era in motoring history, along with its once-vibrant manufacturing industry. This 1997 Berlina may not be the most desirable car to wear the badge, but it is an extraordinary survivor. It is remarkably well-preserved, and although the price is at the top end of the market, I believe that nostalgia will rule, and this classic will find a new home fairly quickly.
Dumb American question here… do you RHD car owners drive with the left foot instead?
Good question.