The VN Aero represented a significant change in not just the vehicles, but a change of ownership also. HDT Special Vehicles was sold to the Coloraffi Family and HDT would soon leave it’s Bertie St Premises to a newer, bigger location. In addition, Holden had changed it’s mechanical package substantially. Gone was the straight Nissan 6 which was replaced by a Buick sourced 3.8 litre V6. The good old 5 Litre V8 had also undergone some major modifications and featured a new multi-point fuel injection set up and revised cylinder head design, eliminating the old siamese port arrangement.
The VN Aero carried on a familiar name and some of the previous models styling cues such as the half door moulds, but the completely new body shape meant a new design too. After much development and testing, including crash testing, the car was finally released and to this day would have to be one of the best looking designs of any bodykit to suit VN/VP
The bodykit consisted of new front bar, the aforementioned half door moulds, a new rear bar and 3 peice boot spoiler, along with a new centre garnish with “AERO” moulded into it. Cars were based on any spec donor vehicle and were fitted standard with the new 16×7 inch Starform wheels, with a 17×8 inch version optional. Buyers could also start with either the 3.8 litre V6 or the EFI 5 litre engine, both of which came in for HDT modifications including a cold air intake. Suspension modifications were also available in multiple specifications, depending on the owners preference while the transmission was either the T5 5 speed manual or the new T700 4 speed automatic
VEHICLE FACTORY SPECS
ENGINE
Option 1: 3.8 litre V6, overhead valves – 2 valves per cylinder; Bore x Stroke (mm): 97.0 x 86.0; Compression Ratio: 8.5:1; Max power: 167 kW@4800 RPM; Max Torque: Unknown.
Option 2: 5.0 Litre V8, overhead valves – 2 valves per cylinder; Bore x Stroke (mm): 102.0 x 77.0; Compression Ratio: 9.5:1; Max Power 199kw
INDUCTION
Electronic Multi-point port fuel injection.
TRANSMISSION
Turbo HydraMatic 700 (THM700) Automatic or T5 5 Spd Manual.
Ratios:(T5 only)
First: 2.950
Second: 1.940
Third: 1.340
Fourth: 1.00
Fifth: 0.730
DIFFERENTIAL
3.45:1. LSD
CLUTCH
Single Dry Plate
STEERING
Power assisted Rack & Pinion. 2.8 turns lock to lock. 10.4m turning circle.
SUSPENSION
Front: Fully independent. Macpherson struts with coil springs and anti-roll bar. Rear: Live axle located by upper and lower trailing arms and Panhard rod. Coil springs and anti-roll bar.
BRAKES
Split circuit hydraulic system with power booster.
Front: 287mm Ventilated discs.
Rear: 279mm Discs.
WHEELS & TYRES
16×7″ HDT Starform wheels with Yokohama A40-3 235 tyres, 17 x 8.0J HDT Starform wheels with Yokohama A00-8 235/45 ZR17 tyres were optional.
PERFORMANCE
Unknown
FUEL TANK
85 Litres
NUMBER BUILT
77 (Series I – 25, Series II – 42)
PRICES
Around $40000
