1989 Holden Commodore VN

Vn Commodore Bruce Potter (4)  TBW Newsgroup

IT MAY have taken some time, but Mitchell Potter and his father Bruce are starting to appreciate the true potential of the 1989 Holden Commodore VN they took on as another father-son project. 

Fitted with an SS Body Kit and original paintwork, the popular Holden make is rarely found in one piece these days. 

Bruce said the car’s standard six-cylinder motor was a point of difference as most people usually wanted the powerful V8 model. 

“It is a local car and the previous owner actually gave it to us for free because I showed him Mitchell’s ute we are currently restoring,” he said. 

“I think he thought if a father and son are doing projects, then here is another one for them. 

“My wife was not real happy about it and neither was Mitchell at first, until they saw the car and realised what it was.” 

Bruce said the VN was another collectible they had added to their list for restoration, wanting to respray the bodywork, fix minor rust and make a few minor tweaks. 

“Both Mitchell and my daughter Maddy absolutely love it and actually use it as their spare car,” he said. 

“If one of their cars needs a service they use the VN and Mitchell often finds an excuse to take it to work anyway.” 

When he first saw the vehicle last year, Bruce said he did not really appreciate what it was at first. 

“I thought somebody must have done a bit to it and had change it around a bit, turned it into something it is not,” he said. 

“I think that is what impresses Mitchell the most, that it actually is the real deal. 

“I did speak to him about installing a V8, but he will just not let me.” 

Speaking with the former owner, Bruce said he had owned it since it had 26,000 kilometres on it. 

“He used to tow his boat and go on family holidays and everything with it, it was a normal family car back then,” he said. 

“It is all period correct, matching numbers and the only thing he has changed is installing VR SS copy wheels.”

Bruce said the VN was considered the model which created a resurgence for Holden. 

“The big thing with the VN is they are the next model on from the VL and it was when Holden was trying to decide what motor to go with,” he said. 

“It was made to compete with the Falcon of the era. 

“Because they were so successful and a good car, General Motors actually had a resurgence after that and took back its sales.”