1982 Holden HDT Commodore VH SS Group 3 Sedan

Description

Based on the facelifted VH range, Peter Brock’s second HDT modified Commodore was launched at the 1982 Melbourne Motor Show and offered in four levels of tune.  Ranging from the Group One, Two and Three, buyers could order either the 4.2 V8 or full house Group Three 5.0 V8 but of the 322 VH Commodores built by HDT, only a handful left the factory with the 4.2 under the bonnet as most punters were looking for the hottest performance package available.  Mechanically, HDT’s rework of the L31 V8 included new cylinder heads of their own design, a gas-flowed inlet manifold, cold air intake, exhaust headers and a blueprinted ignition system to boost power from 185 bhp to a peak of 246 bhp at 4750 rpm.  To cope with the added grunt, Brock’s team installed a limited-slip diff and rear disc brakes, along with a bigger radiator and heavy-duty alternator.  Visually, the Group Three stood out thanks to a new body kit with side skirts, front and rear spoilers, a massive bonnet scoop and distinctive splitters on top of the front guards.  HDT also fitted heavy-duty suspension with uprated springs, Bilstein gas shock absorbers and revised geometry, while the brakes featured a heavy-duty master cylinder and rounded off the package with a set of 15-inch alloys by Irmscher.  Inside, signature HDT touches included the Momo leather steering wheel, special SS trim, an optional Brock sound system and driver’s footrest.  The press loved the HDT’s newest weapon, praising the ability to provide near race levels of performance in a civilised package.  Blisteringly quick, the Group Three SS could reach 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and did the standing quarter-mile in 14.9 seconds, matching the best high performance cars from Europe.  In their comparison test with a Falcon ESP, Modern Motor succinctly concluded “It’s a racing car for the road you say? No, the Group Three SS is much, much more than that.  It’s a sports sedan, a blend of accomplishment and accommodation, or purpose and practicality.  And if it’s not the best sports sedan for the money in the world, I’ll stand rooted.”