Work Carried Out

This VL Group A having been stored for several years came into Finest Restorations to restore it to its former glory. The brief was to do whatever was required to get the vehicle looking as it would have once it left the showroom in 1986, After a detailed discussion taking place with the owner the go-ahead was given to work our magic this included cutting and buffing full vehicle to rectify any minor imperfections in paintwork & painting door frames in correct gloss levels as per the GMH factory and HDT headquarters.

The final stage was to Ceramic Coat the vehicle, using our warranted product to protect the paintwork and give it a flawless finish leaving Finest Restorations & Detailing Services just as it would have looked leaving HDT when new.

Make – Holden VL Group A
Year – 1986
Colour – Permanent Red
Engine – 5L Carburettor
Gearbox – T5G 5 Speed Manual

The VL SS Group A was the second car built for Group A racing purposes and also numbered 500 in total. Released in 1986 it was hot on top of Grice’s Bathurst win and the launch of the Unleaded V8. Due to the controversial Energy Polariser there was actually two versions of the Group A. Holden could see no technical merit in the Polariser and thus refused to fit it to the cars, so Brock refused to put decals with his signature on cars without it. As a result, Brock’s signature only appears on the higher spec Plus Pack variant.

The Plus Pack also included revised springs and anti roll bars as well as revised front suspension geometry and changed spring mounting pads. It also has improved cylinder head cooling with the introduction of an extra water passage to the head and a higher pressure fuel pump.

On the inside was a plaque on the glovebox indicating the vehicles build number. Seats were the familiar Scheel items and naturally the steering wheel was supplied by Momo, as was the leather gear knob.

The Exhaust was of the low restriction big bore variety and had headers designed with Group A racing in mind and as such featured a flange only inches from the cylinder heads. This was done as Group A regulations allowed a free exhaust from the first flange, so they put the first flange as close as possible to the engine to capitalise on the rules. The engine also featured heavy duty con rods and crankshaft as well as Crane (gold coloured) roller rockers and a lightened flywheel.

For the first time the Borg Warner T5G 5 speed transmission was standard fitment and diff was the 4 pinion Borg Warner item with 3.08 ratio

The new body kit comprised a new radiator grille, colour keyed bumpers, Racing specification spoilers on the front and on the boot lid and a small grooved Induction scoop attached to the bonnet with a new cold air induction set up.

All cars were painted in the Permanent Red colour, but of note is that the two prototypes were white.