1999 HSV VT Clubsport R8 Sedan

Description

Established in 1987, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) was Holden’s officially designated performance vehicle partner. It produced a series of low-volume performance models across the Holden range, though most based on the Commodore platform. One of HSV’s best-known badges was the Clubsport, which debuted as a VN-model in 1990 and continued through to the Gen-F of 2017. As the performance brand’s entry-level model, it was also its biggest seller. The VT-model Holden Commodore was the first iteration of the third generation of this Australian-made model and the last one to be powered by a locally made cast-iron V8 engine. Launched in 1997, the HSV VT Clubsport variant was larger and heavier than its predecessors, sharing its 5.0-litre V8 engine (producing 195 kW) as an option with Holden’s more mainstream sporty Commodore SS model. The VT Clubsport of course incorporated a number of HSV luxury and sports differentiators including optional leather trim, a CD player and fog lights. Only 1505 Series 1 VT Clubsports were built, before the imported Chevrolet LS1 engine became standard with the Series 2 variant. Production of the VT Clubsport model ceased altogether in 2000. All Clubsports continue to be popular among Australian muscle car enthusiasts, and interest is continuing to grow in all models.