Well, I decided to wag work yesterday and head out to Eastern Creek for the launch of the new "HDT VL Retro SS - Plus Pack". HDT are the company who made my ride, so I was happy to be invited out to see the new car be unveiled.

Here are a few pics of the new VL Retro which is to be the last in HDT's "Heritage" series of cars.

The new retro looks damn fine and sounds just as great with a blown 6lt donk pushing it along.

Whilst I love the wheels, can't say that I'm crazy about the interior design / colour scheme.

So, here are a few pics. http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5637.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5642.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5645.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5639.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5654.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5661.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5662.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5670.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5746.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5760.jpg

Some more pics from the day...............


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5625.jpg


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5620.jpg


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5616.jpg

The new HDT VL Retro with an 1985 origional HDT VL

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5841.jpg


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5824.jpg


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5900.jpg


The original again up close.

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5724.jpg

And now, some other HDT Retro present on the day including mine.


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5558.jpg


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5738.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5737.jpg


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5717.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5716.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5714.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5701.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5853.jpg
http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5850.jpg
http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5847.jpg

A final few for good measure.....................


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5793.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5777.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5766.jpg

The last car HDT made (in 1987) when still owned by Peter Brock. The "VL Director".
http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_6213.jpg

Peter Brock's original "05" VL race car which the owner of HDT (Peter Champion at the wheel) tracked down to a shed in Helsinki, bought it, cleaned it up, put a 1985 race spec engine it and drives it today.


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_6146.jpg


http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5753.jpg

Damn you Aussies and all your aftermarket support, damn you to hell.

that hood scoop is gawd aweful.
and whats with the taste in rims
over there ?

Damn you Aussies and all your aftermarket support, damn you to hell.

One of the "Blue Meanies" has just been sold to gent in Kentucky, so if you live down that way, keep an eye out.

that hood scoop is gawd aweful.
and whats with the taste in rims
over there ?

Ummm...I guess the retro styling from the 80's ain't for everyone's taste. People either love'm or hate here too. Not many in between. :)

yeah still not a fan of the hood scoops they always get, and the rear wing over the taillights still looks a bit cheap... rear end would look a billion times better the the HSV lights (or a custom HDT version)

the grille and fog light "blank" look awesome though, very aggressive!

biggest question i have though, is about ADR.
they've modified the front seat head rests, which are part of the SRS airbag system..... big no-no!

Damn you Aussies and all your aftermarket support, damn you to hell.

agreed...

Stick on scoops and big wing thingy have never been to my liking. Too boy racer for me. But to each his own.:wink2:

looks like a old mustang front end with that grill treatment. :(

They need to learn how to blend the hood scoops so they don't look "stick on".
The wheels on the red one are nice, but the blue ones, ick.

I love the new VL Retro (the red one), but think it would look even better without the scoop!

only one i like
http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5654.jpg


hm.. ok one more
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13516&stc=1&d=1320804730
:wink2:

Great pics, given what they were trying to do I think the HDT is a very cool machine.

There is a nice vid on Drive.
http://media.drive.com.au/cars/car-reviews/return-of-the-polarising-polariser-2749191.html

only one i like



hm.. ok one more
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13516&stc=1&d=1320804730
:wink2:

If this was available, I'd buy it. A nice extra touch.

only one i like
http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af334/GKW_01/HDT%20-%20VL%20Retro%20Launch/IMG_5654.jpg


hm.. ok one more
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13516&stc=1&d=1320804730
:wink2:

Holy crap to both photos! Monaro, do you have those overlays available or could even source one with MPH instead of KM/H? If so please PM me! VERY interested in those!

While I'd never buy one I can appreciate a limited edition car. Its just TOO over the top for me, the scoop, the spoiler, and blocked off grill and fog lights just SCREAMS "Hey Mr. Police officer look at me over here and watch me close cuase I'm gonna do something that you can pull me over for any second now!"

I can see the Peter Brock tribute styling in these cars. Not my cup of tea, but I'm biased to what is actually attainable in the states, as in, G8.

I also saw this article (http://wot.motortrend.com/hdt-special-vehicles-debuts-holden-commodore-group-a-plus-pack-modifications-128533.html) this morning on the car.

It's cool to see they are embracing the VCM intake that I have on my car. That is an AWESOME intake!!

While I'd never buy one I can appreciate a limited edition car. Its just TOO over the top for me, the scoop, the spoiler, and blocked off grill and fog lights just SCREAMS "Hey Mr. Police officer look at me over here and watch me close cuase I'm gonna do something that you can pull me over for any second now!"

Touch wood...never been pulled over by a cop in the VE Retro yet. Infact, I've even been waved away by the cops a few times when driving down a main road at 2am, no one else around and saw them doing DUI checks so prepared to be pulled in to "blow in the bag" ( to use an old term)...Maybe they were too busy having a coffee, don't know, but no issue if they did.

Got to admit the pics of these cars don't do them that much justice. Stand next to one and it's a whole difference ball game. Knowing a couple of the Blue Meanies are heading to the States in 2012, it'll be interesting to see if they get spotted on the road or at show.

I wonder if any of the "Blue Meanies" heading to the states will be trying to promote the upcoming v8supercars race for 2014? :D

I wonder if any of the "Blue Meanies" heading to the states will be trying to promote the upcoming v8supercars race for 2014? :D

V8 Supercars in the US....That'll get the attention of the guys and gals here.

HDT and Holden aren't exactly on each others Xmas card list (given HDT compete with HSV), so more likely just a keen collector looking for something different. Chances are that they use a Chev PPV as the safety car to try and promore that model........but who knows. GM / Holden do some strange things!

GKW, I get pulled over cause the police thought my car was a 5 series BMW with stolen tags! If someone could get pulled over for it that someone is me. I can drive speed limit, use my turn signals do everything like I should and they still "find" a reason to pull me over.

They see you rollin', they hatin'...

GKW, I get pulled over cause the police thought my car was a 5 series BMW with stolen tags! If someone could get pulled over for it that someone is me. I can drive speed limit, use my turn signals do everything like I should and they still "find" a reason to pull me over.

I know others here in this forum have noted that people have confused the G8 with a BMW, but for a cop to do that............Holy S--t! That's scary. Fingers crossed for ya mate that the constab leave you alone in 2012.

I know others here in this forum have noted that people have confused the G8 with a BMW, but for a cop to do that............Holy S--t! That's scary. Fingers crossed for ya mate that the constab leave you alone in 2012.

Thanks man.

I understand the idea of taking a current Commodore and give it a retro look. What I see is the "shoehorn" style of an older vehicle in to the newer one. The previous version was more squared and perhaps has better flow on the angles. The new Commodore is more round and does not flow as well. I think the hood scoop is none functional so why having it? I think with a blended functional smaller scoop might do the trick.

I like it ! The stance is nice and the 87 Trans Am spoiler looks sweet ! Its a really nice red too!