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 initiative was the Independent 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 (an offshoot company set up by Eric Dowker & Peter Brock) was given the responsibility of designing and implementing the the all-new 21 piece body kit which would completely disguise the 9 year origin of the panels.
The Body kit included half panel door skirts, fender caps, nose extension, 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 body kit parts and featured the IRS. One was taken to Europe and America and despite keen interest, the idea never eventuated and just 12 Directors would be produced
VEHICLE 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 Carburettor
TRANSMISSION
T5G 5 Speed Manual , Tri-matic 3 speed or 4 four-speed Automatic.
Ratios (Automatic)3 Speed only
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 independent. 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: Independent Rear.
BRAKES
Power assisted four-wheel discs ; Corvette 289mm front; 230mm rear
WHEELS & TYRES
16″ x 8″ Momo star rims, Bridgestone Potenza RE71 245/45VR16s or 16″x 8″ Simmons B45(star)/V5 Mesh rims . Some Simmons Rims were modified to accept the MOMO Centre cap.
FUEL TANK
90 Litres.
NUMBER BUILT
10 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.
