Only 1 - 1989 HSV Monaro Convertible Concept Car
43Yes, its real and was Holden idea.
HSV wanted to introduce a high-performance four-seat luxury convertible and wanted to use the 1989 Sydney motor show as the test bed.
In the background it was already working on the HSV SV5000 and the next iteration of its racing homologation vehicle, the VN Commodore SS Group A SV.
In March 1989, HSV pitched the idea of a luxury convertible Commodore with the grunt to take on its European competition. That competition included the Mercedes-Benz SL, which in SL500 guise featured a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 making 235kW of power
The business plan included a prototype that would be assembled in time for the Sydney motor show to gauge the public’s reaction.
The prototype would be based on a Commodore Berlina (the mid-luxury specification) and would include HSV SV5000 running gear. That meant switching out the V6 drivetrain in the Berlina donor car for a bigger, more powerful V8.
The V8 from the SV5000 featured high-compression pistons, a specific camshaft, intake system, headers, and a dual exhaust. It pumped out an impressive (at the time) 200kW of power and was meant to be capable of taking it to the SL500 from a performance standpoint.
Before the idea could progress any further, HSV commissioned a Melbourne design agency called KAF Creative to come up with an artist’s impression of the car and assist with the business case. The design showed an understated two-door convertible with a fabric roof.
In addition to the design, HSV built a business case that would be pitched to management to get the project off the ground.
It proposed:
• One prototype to be built for the 1989 Sydney motor show
• 25 cars to be built in the first year, which this would see it classified as a low-volume production car
• 100 cars to be built in the second year, which would push it into the next compliance bracket and require more compliance work, along with crash testing
• Estimated starting price of around $90,000, equivalent to around $200,000 today
Engineers were given the green light to engage Maverick Motors in Melbourne to design and engineer the conversion from four-door sedan to high-performance two-door convertible.
Maverick Motors quoted HSV $43,000 for the work required to make the prototype happen. In today’s money that’s just under $100,000, which doesn’t seem like bad value given the work involved.
Maverick Motors kicked off the process of conversion in August 1989. It was always going to be tough to meet the October deadline for the Sydney motor show, given how much work was involved.
October came and went, but the prototype still wasn’t complete. By the time January 1990 rolled around, HSV had formally killed it. The project missed all its crucial timelines, and the prototype build showed that it was going to be too hard to make the project work as anything more than a one-off.
The Concept Car was based on the Holden Berlina VN, with 5.0lt V8 as per HSV SV5000 VN with high compression pistons, specific cam shift, intake system, headers, and dual exhaust system. With a 4-speed automatic, as per the SV5000 with specific Calibrations. It has HSV turned springs and dampers and brake system as per the SV5000 as well.
Wheelbase was shortened by 1400mm (5.5 inches), front doors lengthened by 220mm (8.7 inches) and windscreen shortened by 50mm (2.0 Inches).
Only 1 vehicle was built and was red with a tan canvas roof to start with, however, it was repainted in the Holden Racing Team (HRT) livery for promotional activity in the early / mid 1990’s, travelling the V8 Racing circuits and automotive shows with HRT during that decade. It was later sold to a collector and was seen again. Until its reappearance at the Joondalup Motoring Festival in Perth WA.
There you are, you learn something new every day.
Information Sourced and some picture from Paul Maric – Car Expects
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