VIDEO: Daily Driven VL Walkinshaw Tribute

One of Australia's most iconic muscle cars

Arguably one of the most iconic Australian muscle cars of all time, or at least the 80s, the VL Walkinshaw was a poster car for many. Steve's built a killer VL Walkinshaw tribute car, finished in iconic Panorama Silver, and it's far from a garage queen.

Admittedly, the car was never meant to turn into what it is today. He picked it up in late 2014 and let it sit around for a few years unregistered in it's factory form. With the help of a few mates and workshops he was able to turn it around into a killer streeter that he even used as his daily for a brief period of time.

Nowadays the car is used as a weekender, taking it to shows up and down the East coast of Australia, pub runs with mates and plenty of cruising - all with the kids loaded up in the backseat. It's refreshing to see one of these cars used so often for what it was originally built for, and Steve said his favourite thing about the car is how reliable and easy it is to get out whenever he wants.

Most of the driveline remains factory Holden, with a classic injected 5.0-litre engine sitting in a detailed bay up front. It's lowered on Pedders springs all round, tucking 20-inch versions of the classic Walky wheels under the guards.

We caught up with Steve for a quick chat amongst the chaos of Street Machine Summernats 35, so check it out below and take a closer look at this iconic Aussie machine! Be sure to subscribe to the Performance Garage YouTube channel for plenty more content on the way.

VL Walkinshaw By the Numbers

The Holden VL Walkinshaw SS Group A SV was a high-performance homologation special version of the Holden VL Commodore sedan produced from 1987-1988 by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). It featured a 5.0L V8 engine producing 180kW/380Nm power, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Only 750 units were built to meet motorsport homologation requirements for Group A touring car racing. The Walkinshaw SS is considered an Australian automotive icon and prices have skyrocketed in recent years to over $1 million for collector examples.

Key features included:

• Homologation special Commodore sedan
• Produced by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV)
• 5.0L Holden V8 '308' engine
• 180kW power and 380Nm torque output
• 5-speed manual transmission
• Build run limited to 750 units
• Group A touring car racing homologation
• Australian automotive icon
• Recent sales show massive collector interest

History and Background

The VL Walkinshaw was the successor to the previous Holden Dealer Team (HDT) high-performance Commodore models. After Holden ended its partnership with HDT, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) was formed in 1987 and the VL Walkinshaw SS was its debut model. Standard Commodore sedans were shipped from the Elizabeth plant to HSV's Clayton facility for conversion to Walkinshaw SS specs.

Unique features of the Walkinshaw SS included Panorama Silver paint, full body kit, front & rear spoilers, wheel arch extensions, and upgraded brakes and suspension over the standard VL Commodore. Recent market prices have escalated rapidly in recent years to over $1 million as collector interest grows for the iconic model.

Key details:

• Successor to Holden Dealer Team (HDT) models
• Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) formed 1987
• VL Walkinshaw was debut model for HSV
• Built at HSV Clayton facility
• Upgrades over standard VL Commodore
• Panorama Silver paint, full body kit
• High demand from collectors now

HSV was formed in 1987 after Holden ended its partnership with HDT, and the iconic VL Walkinshaw SS was the fledgling company's first model, seeing great investment potential today as a classic Australian performance car.

Performance and Specifications

The VL Walkinshaw SS was powered by a Holden Motor Sport Injected V8 (HSVI) engine displacing 4,987 cc (5.0L). This engine produced 180kW at 5,200 rpm and 380Nm at 4,400 rpm. It was mated to a 5-speed BorgWarner BT5G manual transmission.

Additional performance upgrades over the standard VL Commodore included:

• Upgraded brakes - vented rotors and calipers
• Lowered and retuned suspension
• Wider wheels and tyres
• Overall weight 1,360 kg with 49/51 front/rear distribution

The Walkinshaw SS was homologated by CAMS for use in Group A touring car racing along with the Nissan Skyline HR31 GTS-R. Key homologation requirements included the limited production run of only 750 units.

The VL Walkinshaw SS featured a unique 180kW/380Nm 5.0L V8 engine, along with extensive chassis, brake and suspension upgrades over the standard VL Commodore sedan, in order to meet CAMS racing homologation rules.

The Holden VL Walkinshaw stands as a remarkable icon in the Australian automotive scene. Originating as a high-performance homologation special, it has transcended its initial purpose, becoming a cherished collector's item and a symbol of Australia's rich muscle car heritage. With only 750 units produced, its rarity and distinctive features like the Panorama Silver paint and full body kit have contributed to its skyrocketing value, now exceeding $1 million for collector-grade models.

Steve's tribute car, passionately transformed from a factory standard to a much-admired street machine, showcases the enduring appeal of the VL Walkinshaw. It embodies the essence of Australian motoring culture — a blend of performance, history, and a strong community spirit. Whether it's gracing car shows or making pub runs, Steve's car not only honors the legacy of the VL Walkinshaw but also brings it to life for a new generation to appreciate. 

*Article first published 1.5.23 and republished on 28.12.23. Updates included more about the history of the VL Walkinshaw and specifications.