VL Director
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The VL (Calais) Director was built to showcase just what HDT could do and
was aimed at the high end European Imports and performance and equipment levels. It was also effectively the last HDT to
be produced under the classic Holden/Brock partnership. The director sported a smorgasbord of luxury features including
Peratus or Recaro leather covered seats, wood grain trimming, plush pile carpet, Momo wheel, optional moon roof, car phone,
80 watt 4 speaker sound system and a Yamaha CD Player. Buyers could choose either Momo stars or Simmons rims.
Another major inititive was the Independant Rear Suspension available for the cars. Sourced from the Opel Senator, the IRS
transformed the vehicles handling, but only the first two Directors featured IRS.
At the time HDT was not on the best terms with Holden and in turn Peri Integration was given the reponsibility of
designing and implementing the the all-new 21 piece body kit which would completely disguise the 9 year origin of the
panels. The Bodykit included half panel door skirts, fender caps, nose extention, front and rear spoilers, even pillar
caps to disguise the 'greenhouse area' on the original Holden design.
On 20 February 1987, Brock unveiled the car to the public despite protests from Holden and this would seal the split
between Brock & Holden, thus ending one of the greatest automotive partnerships in Australian motoring history.
Brocks ambition was to sell the Directors across the world, Emulating what AMG, Mercedes and BMW were doing with their
six figure imports. To stimulate interest from potential dealers he built two prototypes that wore the VL LE bodykit parts and featured the IRS.
One was taken to Europe and America and despite keen interest, the idea never eventuated and just 9 Directors would be produced.
| Factory Specs |   |
| Engine: | Option 1: 'High output' 4.9 Litre Overhead valve V8, with roller rockers and hand finished cylinder
heads, 2 valves / cylinder Bore x Stroke (mm): 101.6 x 78.6 Compression ratio:
8.5:1 Power approaching the 223kw mark. Option 2: 5.6 Litre HDT-enhanced stroker V8, Overhead valve, 2 valves, Max Power: 231kW @5400rpm and 536nm of torque @3200rpm. |
| Induction: | Four Barrel Rochester Carburetor |
| Transmission: | T5 5
Speed Manual or THM 700H 4 four-speed Automatic. Ratios (Automatic) 1st: 2.45:1 2nd: 1.45:1 3rd: 1.00:1 4th: 0.68:1 |
| Clutch: | Single Dry Plate (Torque Converter in Auto's) |
| Steering: | Power assisted Rack & Pinion. |
| Suspension: | Front:
Fully independant. Macpherson struts with coil springs and anti-roll bar. Rear: Live axle located by trailing arms and Panhard rod. Coil springs and anti-roll bar. Optional: Independant Rear. |
| Brakes: | Power assisted four-wheel discs ; Corvette 289mm front; 230mm rear |
| Wheels & Tyres: | 16" x 8" Momo star rims, Bridgestone Potenza RE71 205/55VR16s or 16"x7" Simmons B45 rims |
| Performance: | |
| Fuel Tank: | 90 Litres. |
| Number Built: | 9 production, 2 "World Test". |
| Prices: | $55,000 for base Director. IRS: $6500 Stroker Engine: $8250 All boxes ticked - $87,000 (incl options) |
| Kerb Mass: | 1412kg. |