A MIXTURE of Australian and international engineering is what Bruce Potter believes makes Holden’s VL Commodore the best of the manufacturer’s earlier models.
Mr Potter said the VL had the best aethetics of the Commodore’s first generational makes due its revamped body shape.
Around two months ago, Mr Potter came across a 1987 model for sale in Millicent and could not let it go without an inspection.
“My son Mitchell was always talking about wanting a VL one day and then I saw one for sale,” he said.
“My wife Vanessa told me we already had enough cars and we were not allowed to buy any more.
“I told her it was just for a look and Vanessa insisted she come with me. As soon as she laid her eyes on it, she told me I had to get it.”
Mr Potter said before the Millicent owner, the car was from Warrnambool and had not previously been registered in South Australia.
“It is nothing fantastic yet, but it has potential for it to become something very nice,” he said.
“It is just another one to add to the collection and will be a good restoration when we get around to it.”
Fitted with the fully-imported, three-litre RB30 Nissan six motor, Mr Potter said the VL was an extremely popular car when released.
“I personally believe it is the nicest looking model of the older Commodores ever made,” he said.
“It is the last of the older body shape and its definitely the nicest.
“At the moment I know it is not perfect, but it will get there and I am hoping everybody will be able to have a drive in it.”
Mr Potter said the plan was to install a different exhaust as the noise was “too much” for him.
“It is alright for some, but it is a bit too much for me, I am getting older now,” he said.
“Mitchell wants to put a Group A SS body kit.
“He wants to do it up as a nice car and we are getting better and better with our paintwork now so I think we will be able to repaint it pretty darn good.”
Mr Potter said the car had standard South Australian registration for now as his children Mitchell and Maddy had been using it as a daily driver.
He said the car had not been entered in any car shows or events but he hoped it would be a worthy prize competitor in the future if all goes to plan.
