Holden V8 till '98

Holden’s very own V8 engine had been in production for just 16 years when its survival came under serious threat in 1984. But then the cavalry – armed with typewriters and a catchy tagline – arrived to rally the troops and save the day. Key players recall the fluid-fuelled feast where the resistance was born. Photoshoot: Nathan Duff

Story: Phil Walmsley

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In summary

The 'V8s till '98' campaign, sparked at the VK Commodore's launch in March 1984, reversed Holden's decision to axe its local V8 after 15,000 letters flooded managing director Chuck Chapman's desk.
The Holden-built V8 ran for 30 years from the HT model to the VT Series I, with 541,000 engines being produced.
The 220kW HSV VT Series I GTS, of which only 399 were built between 1997 and 1999, became the ultimate expression of the Holden V8 engine before it was replaced by the 5.7-litre LS1 Chev V8 in 1999.

Holden chose a revolutionary way to introduce its locally-designed V8 engine to the Australian public – in the rear of the Holden Hurricane concept car. The swoopy Hurricane was unveiled to the press at Holden’s Technical Centre in March 1969 and was never intended for production. It featured an array of styling and engineering concepts, but of most significance to Holden’s future production plans was what it called “the experimental” 253ci V8 powerplant in the rear.

Holden already offered a V8, but this was a fully-imported Chevrolet unit which became available with the release of the HK series in January 1968. The futuristic Hurricane’s powerplant foretold of The General’s plans to commence production of its own “bent eight”. Claiming 260 bhp, the engine’s high-lift camshaft and solid cam followers wouldn’t make it into the production version, but the glossy, golden packaging sent a very clear message that the Holden V8 had arrived.

The Holden-built ‘experimental engine’ in the Hurricane today.

The HT range marked the commencement of sales of the local Holden V8, in capacities of 253ci (4142 cc) and 308ci (5044 cc). Despite its availability in the Monaro, the Chevrolet-sourced 350 remained the racetrack weapon of choice in 1969.