The VC HDT’s origins came about from the need to fund the newly purchased HDT Race Team. In short, Vin Keane and a network of dealers around Australia got together to form a network that would sell road cars if they were designed and built by Brock, which would in turn fund the race team. This ultimately led to the creation of HDT Special Vehicles.
To get things underway, Vin donated a blue VB SL as a prototype which formed the basis of the VC HDT’s we know today. The blue SL was fitted with the familiar bodykit and came with a beige interior and was in fact numbered 000, with 001 being a two tone Malachite/Sage green version, however all production models were either Palais White, Firethorn Red or Tuxedo Black, based on the Marlboro colours.
All vehicles featured the Carmine coloured interior and were all SL/E based, so came with the crushed velour interior, Air conditioning, Front headlight wipers, chrome trim (including the outer edges of the front grille), central locking, front & rear reading lights, electric windows and dual pipe exhaust system.
A distinctive 3 colour stripe was put on the vehicle which went from the front of the car to the rear of the back doors, however, a few owners opted to delete these stripes.
500 of these vehicles were built and the cars were available with either the M21 manual transmission or the TH350 3 speed automatic. Engine improvements to the 5.0 litre engine included a new cold air induction system which drew air from behind the passenger side headlight, chrome air cleaner lid and rocker covers, as well as gas flowed cylinder heads and port matched inlet manifold. Other custom features were the HDT footrest, Momo Steering wheel (which wore the vehicles build number) and some suspension work to make the cars handle as well as they went.
The publics first intrdoction to the VC’s was in a celebrity one make race held at Calder Park in 1980, referred to as “The Race of Champions”, where various local and international drivers took part in a two race series. The cars were fitted with a roll cage and hand numbered steering wheel as the wheels did not arrive in time to be properly engraved. Brock’s (#7) was the only Black car in the field and these cars would later be sold off to the public.
VEHICLE FACTORY SPECS
ENGINE
5.044 Litre (308 Cubic Inch) HDT modified pushrod V8, Overhead valves – 2 valves per cylinder; Bore x Stroke (mm): 101.6 x 77.8, Compression Ratio: 9.2:1; Maximum Power (DIN): 160kW @ 4500rpm; Maximum Torque (DIN): 450Nm @ 2800rpm
INDUCTION
4 barrel Rochester Carburettor and port matched inlet manifold. HDT Cold Air induction system with chrome air cleaner lid.
TRANSMISSION
M21 4-speed manual or TH350 3-speed automatic.
M21 Ratios:
First: 2.54
Second: 1.83
Third: 1.38
Fourth: 1.00
Final Drive: 3.36
Automatic Ratios:
First: 2.48
Second: 1.48
Third: 1.00
Final Drive: 3.08
CLUTCH
Single Dry Plate (Torque Convertor in Auto’s)
STEERING
Type: Power assisted rack and pinion
Ratio: 15.8:1
Turns lock to lock: 3.3
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.
BRAKES
Split circuit hydraulic system with power booster
Front: 268mm ventilated discs
Rear: 258mm discs
WHEELS & TYRES
15 x 7 inch Irmscher alloy with Uniroyal Steel ER60H15
PERFORMANCE
Standing Start
0-60km/h: 3.8 seconds
0-100km/h: 8.4 seconds
400m: 16.1 seconds
FUEL TANK
63 Litres.
NUMBER BUILT
500
PRICES
Base Price: $19800 Manual, $20000 Automatic
KERB MASS
1400kg.
