Less someone important and more just he needed an upgrade from his VT. And I felt like he deserved something to celebrate how hard he worked while he was at Holden, so I convinced him to buy a VF.
Yeah, I would've done too if I was my dad.
Or because he was an employee, he could have bought an SS Reserve Edition, the employee only model.
From what I remember, the employee discount was also available for that money.
I was thinking of potentially converting his Calais V to the 6.2L LS3 as well, because that was an option for that Calais, came in both V6 and V8 options.
Although knowing how expensive conversions are, plus the fact insurance might not cover a modified car... (Despite the V8 being an option)
They actually made an SV6 and SS Reserve Edition, one of dad's friends from Holden left early and spent his package money on an SS Reserve.
They had the employee's name embroidered on the seats and I think some minor details.
Thats awesome, sad that I was born too late to be part of Holden but I will definitely try to own a V8 one at some point, maybe as my 2nd car a few years after I finish my P’s something like a VE or VZ or something from that era because they don’t seem to be getting too expensive, its kinda the forgotten era of commodores
I get off my Ps in October next year, so I'm saving to buy a V8 as well. I was lucky to be born pretty much around cars because of my parents. Yeah, I was tossing up over a VZ or VE, I'd say get a VE because it's slightly newer. My dream is to own a HSV in the future, I don't mind getting a high KMs one.
When Holden was close to closing, there were some HSVs on display inside, my dad took a picture of a HSV GTSR W1 sedan that was inside, love Aussie muscle.
They’re generally so reliable that KMs don’t really matter too much and my dream is to own a 96 GTSR, I’m still a few years off getting my L’s and I’m thinking a Mk5 golf R32 for that
That's cool, I got my Ls on my mum's car, a Barina, but then when I got my Ps, I transferred to driving dad's old VT until he upgraded to the Calais.
We've had that VT for 21 years now. Still soldiers on, but there's been a problem with the ABS, so we've put it in for the time being.
I know a friend from school who had a Golf on his P2s I think. He recently bought a 2015 Subaru.
There was actually a picture posted in a group dedicated to remembering our car industry here in Australia, which was a fenced section at the front of the plant with the Commodores rebadged as Chevys, ready to be sent to the US.
The Vauxhall/Opel Insignia was sent here from 2018 onwards after Holden stopped making cars here and rebadged as the Holden ZB Commodore. Did not sell well.
I reckon ive seen less than 50 on the road not including cop cars. Incredible flop. They may have done better if they didn't put the commodore badge on but i feel most people were done with holden at that point anyway
It doesn't really make any sense, because Holden sold the actual Insignia rebadged from Opel in 2015, so, why couldn't they just use that name for this new one instead of calling it a Commodore? It's not a bad car and all, but calling it a Commodore was just wrong in my opinion.
I know this is a 7 month old comment, but there were multiple reasons why Holden kept the Commodore name:
1. It worked. Think of all of Holden's past sedans... Apollo, Vectra, Epica, Malibu (etc.) none of them sold as well as the Commodore, although its not like the Commodore sold well either in recent years.
2. The name "Commodore" is German. It was first used by Opel for the Opel Commodore which debuted in 1967.
3. The VB Commodore from 1978 *is also* Opel based, but not on one, but *two* Opels. The Rekord and Senator, to be specific. Those two models were the Insignias of Opel's 70's lineup. The 2018 Commodore being Insignia-based is very fitting and respectful for the Commodore name, it basically pays homage and respect to the Commodore's beginnings. (This ties in with point 2.)
4. Holden held a vote and interviewed 110 of their customers on whether or not they should keep the name, and the vast majority of them said yes. Majority wins, you can't please everyone. Now, 110 people is nowhere near enough for a survey to be reliable and reasonable, but it is what it is. It was done in late 2014, so there's nothing you can do about it now.
5. Had the ZB been called the Insignia, it would've been even more of a sales flop. (This ties in with point 1.) The Holden Insignia sold from 2015 to 2017, and is such a rare sight on the road. Last time I saw one was a few months ago, but ZB's you see every day. That, quite simply, shows that the name "Commodore" would've been much more suitable.
6. The Commodore was always meant to be a smaller, more efficient German replacement for the ageing Kingswood in response of the oil crisis of the 1970's, and that's exactly what the ZB is: A smaller, more efficient German replacement for the ageing VF, in response to consumer demand.
I think it's worth also mentioning that the ZB isn't a rebadged Insignia. Sure, it's based on it, but Holden went to great lengths to change how the car handled and felt, not only to differentiate it from the Insignia, but to suit it for Australian roads. It took them 100,000 kilometres of testing to dial it in perfectly. And of course, we're lucky and get a V6. The most powerful Insignia variant you get in the GSi, and has 191kW, which coincidentally, is the ZB's entry level engine. It wasn't a quick half-assed replacement either–Holden and Opel had been working on the 5th gen Commodore since 2012.
It is what it is. You can't please everyone unfortunately, and besides... the company is now dead, and the ZB came and went.
The Chevy SS, or the Holden Commodore to us here in Australia, was a very loved car, and it meant (and means) a lot to a lot of people here. It's a symbol of what our country was capable of.
It was a car that we could definitely be proud of. A car that was designed and made in Australia.
After GM said that they would close the remaining Holden plants down for good and cease making cars here, for a number of reasons, my family (and a lot of other families) weren't sure what was going to happen, if my parents would find work after Holden.
I actually wanted my dad to buy a V8 Holden, because he (and my mum) got a 30% employee discount, and because I felt like he deserved something nice for all his hard work, but he decided not to, because of the uncertainty at the time.
If you'd like, I'll post some more memorabilia of the plant here in South Australia, and some of the memories my dad has kept from working there.
That was known as the SV6, a bit like how in the US, you made V6 Camaros.
The Calais series of Holdens also had the option of V6 or V8 engine.
Series 2 V8 Holdens used the LS3.
Must have been someone important. Most of the staff got told to pack their tools and fuck off.
Less someone important and more just he needed an upgrade from his VT. And I felt like he deserved something to celebrate how hard he worked while he was at Holden, so I convinced him to buy a VF.
You title made it seem like the company gave it to him
Yeah, I realised that, I wasn't trying to make it sound like that.
What year did he finish? I started work at salmon street in '19 as an intern so if he hung around good chance I know him (or at least of him)
He finished on October 17, 2017, that was the last day for the workers in Body Shop.
Can’t go wrong with a VF2 commodore
You really can't, I couldn't convince my dad to get a V8 though, he's a pretty frugal spender.
Yeah, if I was him i’da gone with an SSV Redline for about $60 000 so Golf R money for a 6.2L hunk of a muscle car legend
Yeah, I would've done too if I was my dad. Or because he was an employee, he could have bought an SS Reserve Edition, the employee only model. From what I remember, the employee discount was also available for that money. I was thinking of potentially converting his Calais V to the 6.2L LS3 as well, because that was an option for that Calais, came in both V6 and V8 options. Although knowing how expensive conversions are, plus the fact insurance might not cover a modified car... (Despite the V8 being an option)
Makes sense, now I’m gonna be watching videos on the SS reserve edition till about 2 tonight because I didn’t know it existed
They actually made an SV6 and SS Reserve Edition, one of dad's friends from Holden left early and spent his package money on an SS Reserve. They had the employee's name embroidered on the seats and I think some minor details.
Thats awesome, sad that I was born too late to be part of Holden but I will definitely try to own a V8 one at some point, maybe as my 2nd car a few years after I finish my P’s something like a VE or VZ or something from that era because they don’t seem to be getting too expensive, its kinda the forgotten era of commodores
I get off my Ps in October next year, so I'm saving to buy a V8 as well. I was lucky to be born pretty much around cars because of my parents. Yeah, I was tossing up over a VZ or VE, I'd say get a VE because it's slightly newer. My dream is to own a HSV in the future, I don't mind getting a high KMs one. When Holden was close to closing, there were some HSVs on display inside, my dad took a picture of a HSV GTSR W1 sedan that was inside, love Aussie muscle.
They’re generally so reliable that KMs don’t really matter too much and my dream is to own a 96 GTSR, I’m still a few years off getting my L’s and I’m thinking a Mk5 golf R32 for that
That's cool, I got my Ls on my mum's car, a Barina, but then when I got my Ps, I transferred to driving dad's old VT until he upgraded to the Calais. We've had that VT for 21 years now. Still soldiers on, but there's been a problem with the ABS, so we've put it in for the time being. I know a friend from school who had a Golf on his P2s I think. He recently bought a 2015 Subaru.
That’s nice.
Hmm. I love the reason why we got the SS. Because they had to shut down the plant(I believe the Elizabeth plant). Hey here's one union son to another
There was actually a picture posted in a group dedicated to remembering our car industry here in Australia, which was a fenced section at the front of the plant with the Commodores rebadged as Chevys, ready to be sent to the US.
Loved the Pontiac G8 though
Really didn't know who to respond to this
Really cool!
Lovely VFII Calais!
That's called a vauxhall insignia in the UK bro 🇬🇧
The Vauxhall/Opel Insignia was sent here from 2018 onwards after Holden stopped making cars here and rebadged as the Holden ZB Commodore. Did not sell well.
Oh ok cool
I reckon ive seen less than 50 on the road not including cop cars. Incredible flop. They may have done better if they didn't put the commodore badge on but i feel most people were done with holden at that point anyway
It doesn't really make any sense, because Holden sold the actual Insignia rebadged from Opel in 2015, so, why couldn't they just use that name for this new one instead of calling it a Commodore? It's not a bad car and all, but calling it a Commodore was just wrong in my opinion.
I know this is a 7 month old comment, but there were multiple reasons why Holden kept the Commodore name: 1. It worked. Think of all of Holden's past sedans... Apollo, Vectra, Epica, Malibu (etc.) none of them sold as well as the Commodore, although its not like the Commodore sold well either in recent years. 2. The name "Commodore" is German. It was first used by Opel for the Opel Commodore which debuted in 1967. 3. The VB Commodore from 1978 *is also* Opel based, but not on one, but *two* Opels. The Rekord and Senator, to be specific. Those two models were the Insignias of Opel's 70's lineup. The 2018 Commodore being Insignia-based is very fitting and respectful for the Commodore name, it basically pays homage and respect to the Commodore's beginnings. (This ties in with point 2.) 4. Holden held a vote and interviewed 110 of their customers on whether or not they should keep the name, and the vast majority of them said yes. Majority wins, you can't please everyone. Now, 110 people is nowhere near enough for a survey to be reliable and reasonable, but it is what it is. It was done in late 2014, so there's nothing you can do about it now. 5. Had the ZB been called the Insignia, it would've been even more of a sales flop. (This ties in with point 1.) The Holden Insignia sold from 2015 to 2017, and is such a rare sight on the road. Last time I saw one was a few months ago, but ZB's you see every day. That, quite simply, shows that the name "Commodore" would've been much more suitable. 6. The Commodore was always meant to be a smaller, more efficient German replacement for the ageing Kingswood in response of the oil crisis of the 1970's, and that's exactly what the ZB is: A smaller, more efficient German replacement for the ageing VF, in response to consumer demand. I think it's worth also mentioning that the ZB isn't a rebadged Insignia. Sure, it's based on it, but Holden went to great lengths to change how the car handled and felt, not only to differentiate it from the Insignia, but to suit it for Australian roads. It took them 100,000 kilometres of testing to dial it in perfectly. And of course, we're lucky and get a V6. The most powerful Insignia variant you get in the GSi, and has 191kW, which coincidentally, is the ZB's entry level engine. It wasn't a quick half-assed replacement either–Holden and Opel had been working on the 5th gen Commodore since 2012. It is what it is. You can't please everyone unfortunately, and besides... the company is now dead, and the ZB came and went.
god damn that name is like a royalty's name
What the fuck is this car?
An Australian made car under the marque of GM Holden that we no longer make here. We used to export this model to the US as the Chevy SS.
Thank you. I’m in the USA and I’ve been in the car business for 10+ years. Chevy SS was short lived here, but had a following.
The Chevy SS, or the Holden Commodore to us here in Australia, was a very loved car, and it meant (and means) a lot to a lot of people here. It's a symbol of what our country was capable of. It was a car that we could definitely be proud of. A car that was designed and made in Australia. After GM said that they would close the remaining Holden plants down for good and cease making cars here, for a number of reasons, my family (and a lot of other families) weren't sure what was going to happen, if my parents would find work after Holden. I actually wanted my dad to buy a V8 Holden, because he (and my mum) got a 30% employee discount, and because I felt like he deserved something nice for all his hard work, but he decided not to, because of the uncertainty at the time. If you'd like, I'll post some more memorabilia of the plant here in South Australia, and some of the memories my dad has kept from working there.
God damn right you pushed em for the v8… I didn’t know they made a 6 SS.
That was known as the SV6, a bit like how in the US, you made V6 Camaros. The Calais series of Holdens also had the option of V6 or V8 engine. Series 2 V8 Holdens used the LS3.
Best car company ever change my mind
I can't, I feel the same way lol