The VL Group 3 was realeased just three months after the controversial Director and was one of the Post Holden/Brock era cars. As such, Brock was forced to buy his cars without the backing of the factory, which meant soaring prices for the consumer.
Due in part to the pricing and the Brock/Holden split, only 38 of the VL SS Group 3’s were built. All were Berlina based, white in colour (although there was one light blue, one burgundy one and even a red wagon) and featured the grey interior. Most of the vehicles sold were also fitted the three speed Trimatic gearbox as the Borg Warner T5 5 speed gearbox added a further $4455 to the price tag, making a Group 3 with Central locking worth $45108
Outside, the car featured the one piece grille, similar to the one used on the Director and Aero (but protrudes less than the Director and Aero version), Signature Series Specific side skirts and four lower Door Panels, a new front bumper featuring 3 air inlets and a lower version of the Group A’s boot spoiler. Wheels were the familiar Aero’s but had the vanes machined into a curved feature also Known as Series 2 Aero.
Of note is the fact that there was not a Holden Badge to be seen on these cars.
VEHICLE FACTORY SPECS
ENGINE
4.987 Litre (304 Cubic Inch) HDT modified pushrod V8, Overhead Valve – 2 valves per cylinder; Compression Ratio: 9.2:1; Bore x Stroke (mm): 101.6mm x 76.8mm stroke. Maximum Power: 187kw @ 4700rpm; Maximum Torque: 415Nm of Torque @ 3600rpm.
INDUCTION
4 barrel Rochester carburettor and port matched inlet manifold. HDT Cold Air Induction with chrome air cleaner lid.
TRANSMISSION
Borg Warner T5G 5-speed manual or Trimatic 3-speed automatic
Ratios – 5 Speed manual
1st: 3.25
2nd: 1.99
3rd: 1.29
4th: 1.00
5th: 0.72
Reverse: 3.15
DIFFERENTIAL
3.08:1
CLUTCH
Single Dry Plate (Torque Convertor 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.
BRAKES
Power assisted front and rear discs.
Front: 289mm ventilated discs, corvette style calipers
Rear: 280mm discs
WHEELS & TYRES
16 x 7″ JJ HDT II Aero alloys with 225/50/16 Bridgestone RE71 tyres. Brock recommended 22 PSI pressure
PERFORMANCE
5 Speed manual
Top speed in gears:
1st: 64 km/h
2nd: 104 km/h
3rd: 161 km/h
4th: 207 km/h
5th: 221 km/h
0-100: 7.6 seconds
Standing 400m: 15.2 seconds.
COLOURS
White, but a few exceptions to this.
FUEL TANK
63 Litres
NUMBER BUILT
38
PRICES
Manual: $45108
Auto: $40091
