What's a VH T30?

[pjdm1980]

What is a VH T30 and why is so special?
1981 vh SLE 5litre-T30 commodore | eBay
Cheers Pat

[drewVHSS]

According to the history books: Back in the day, Holden and Ford weren't allowed to be directly involved in motor racing by their parent companies. Hence holden had to utilise Peter Brock and also the HDT (Holden dealer teams, which as name suggests, dealerships that provided homologation specials so holden could race)

Anyhow, T-30 doesn't seem to appear on any official info I've been hunting through from my collection so It'd have to be from one of the dealerships whom did their own batches of "special" commodores here and there.

I own a factory VH SS, and with the 12 years of owning it i've learn't that unless it's an actual brock or compliance tagged HDT, they're all a bit of a mixed bag of what options etc they came with.

I don't doubt the legitimacy of this car, but from the looks it's from a dealership not actual HDT or Brock. (both in the VH series were based on the SL model with no sound proofing or electric options, mine didnt' come with a stereo from factory)
The car you're looking at is a VH SL/E that has either been optioned up as a performance package from one of the "participating" car dealerships or was a VH SL/E the first owner had optioned on order from when he first signed the cheque and handed it over.
BTW, the white on the seats are not SS, Brock or HDT. It's mean't to be white in the insert not the surround. Not sure if that was intentional from where this car originates or not.
Also you couldn't get a 308 Auto in the VH unless specially optioned with a T350, this might have something to do with the option name given. You could only get the 308 with a M21 4 spd manual or settle for a 253 with a traumatic.
5 spd manual was only an option that came about in late VK and with VL ($6000 option at the time so not many of those around)

Not uncommon for those with money to walk in and buy a car and then hand over more money to have it optioned up with all the good bits.

This makes sence as the VC Brock's and the VC HDT's were based on SL/E's but not the VH's so it's not suprising to find an SS based on the VH SL/E from factory or dealership.

Hard to really base a value on it but not a very common car either. Pity it's hard to get decent history on Holden's vin's pre VK.

If you have the money, buy it. At least it's uncomon car unlike the same ol crap on our roads everywhere you look.

HTH Drew

[SL/ENUT]

Sorry drew, thats a lot of miss info.

T30 VH SL/E are Top 30 Holden dealers Australia wide. They do have a HDT spec motor with TH350 auto. Also have a two tone interior, white and either blue or marron velour.

All and i mean all SS VHs are SS based, close cousin to the SL. The ony way to gain a manual optioned 308 VH is either SS or pay for the privilege, also police spec ones have that to.

The VH SS all had one spec, only options are 308 motor or 10 bolt diff(the 253 used the smaller 8 bolter)

I'll list up one proved data on any options on SS, SL/E VH series.

BTW, VH had the first 5 speed manual, only with the 2.85/173 six

[DerekP]

"Also you couldn't get a 308 Auto in the VH unless specially optioned with a T350"

My VH 308 SL/E came standard with a trimatic, and as I understand it all VH 308 SL/E's came with a trimatic as standard unless specifically optioned to a TH350. Is this correct?

[SL/ENUT]

The early VH 308s had TH350, About same time the Statesman/Caprice models stopped. Wasn't many built either. After that, only trimatic. You couldn't optioned the TH350 at all.

[DerekP]

The early VH 308s had TH350, About same time the Statesman/Caprice models stopped. Wasn't many built either. After that, only trimatic. You couldn't optioned the TH350 at all.

Cool, thanks.

[Darren_L]

I'm 99% sure even the 4.2L SS had the 10 bolt LSD diff as standard equipment
My SS was originally a 4.2L, 10 bolt 3.08 LSD, with GU4 on the compliance plate - so the diff was factory fitted.

[hainzy]

Ive got a Top 30 VH SL/E with factory 308 and T350 as above. Got an EFI 304 and 5 speed in it now though, but original running gear is stored safely in the shed...

[DerekP]

The early VH 308s had TH350, About same time the Statesman/Caprice models stopped. Wasn't many built either. After that, only trimatic. You couldn't optioned the TH350 at all.

Didn't the WB statesman run up until 1984? My VH is an '82 with trimatic. Got me curious now....

[SL/ENUT]

They did, but they had a stock built up.

Darren, GU4 means 3.08:1 ratio, doesn't denote what sort of diff.

[SL/ENUT]

Righto, here we go on some tid bit info.

The SS was built by Holden for the idea of CAMS homologation requirements in the Group C racing period. Also the base of HDT's VH Group 1, 2 and 3 packages. Built in two colours, mostly red while two shades of white later on. All have claret interior trim with wool blend tweed cloth seats trimmed faces. Engines for these are 4.2 litre/253 or 5.0 litre/308 and only gearbox is the Australian designed and built M21 4 speed. Diff, 3.08:1 ratio, LSD standard. I know the 308 ones have the 10 bolt diff, not sure on the 253 ones.

All came out with Auger mags, forgot the name. All are 4 wheel disc brakes. These are a close cousin to the VH SL models.

The T30 VH SL/E are made buy Holden, for the Top 30 Dealers Australia wide. In two unique two tone paint colours, cabernet/silver or Indigo/silver. Also unique interior trim, white with claret or blue velour also SL cord style seat and door trim inserts. All are 308 with HDT improvements and also all are TH350 autos. I think all have 2.60:1 LSD diffs, i have to look into that.

Other options during the VH range, well, the 2.85/173 had 5 speed gearbox(weak too) in the SL and SL/X. In the SL models, 202 and 253 was an engine option, with trimatic or M20 manual. The SL/X also had the same options. The only way you could get a 308 VH was either in SS or SL/E. Some police spec SL's had 308 too, only to police forces.
Leather trim was also an option to the SL/E range too. Not many however had these fitted.

[Jonno A]

Ive got a Top 30 VH SL/E with factory 308 and T350 as above. Got an EFI 304 and 5 speed in it now though, but original running gear is stored safely in the shed...

THAT LOOKS TOUGH!! nice car

[VC308]

^^^^this^^^^

Beau.

[David Rowlands]

Ive got a Top 30 VH SL/E with factory 308 and T350 as above. Got an EFI 304 and 5 speed in it now though, but original running gear is stored safely in the shed...

Hi Hainzy, I have an original VH T30 which I purchased from Bill Patterson motors at Ringwood in Melbourne in April 1981.At the time I had the dealer swap the velour interior for leather and after about 4 years swapped the Turbo 350 for a manual 5 speed due to the extreme (hot) driving conditions in our part of the world ie lower revs at highway speeds that would average 150/160 K,s over 1500Kms - regularly. The car is in extremely good original condition. I used it as a regular commute until approx 8 yrs ago,she now gets driven sparingly and has always been garaged. I am trying to establish substantial evidence as to it,s value for insurance purposes and would appreciate any knowledge you may be willing to share with regard to the sort of $ these very unique models are changing hands for.

[pjdm1980]

Got any pics of it?

[hainzy]

Hi Hainzy, I have an original VH T30 which I purchased from Bill Patterson motors at Ringwood in Melbourne in April 1981.At the time I had the dealer swap the velour interior for leather and after about 4 years swapped the Turbo 350 for a manual 5 speed due to the extreme (hot) driving conditions in our part of the world ie lower revs at highway speeds that would average 150/160 K,s over 1500Kms - regularly. The car is in extremely good original condition. I used it as a regular commute until approx 8 yrs ago,she now gets driven sparingly and has always been garaged. I am trying to establish substantial evidence as to it,s value for insurance purposes and would appreciate any knowledge you may be willing to share with regard to the sort of $ these very unique models are changing hands for. .

Hi mate.
Sounds pretty interesting!!

Mine has a 304 EFI in it now and a T5 manual. The HDT motor is tucked away so everything original is still in the car or in the shed. Goes like a dream!

I actually have no idea on the cars value. Being a 5 litre VH SL/E with every option and also HDT running gear, plus the pedigree of being one of only 30 made; Id like to think its worth more than the average old girl commy... But its hard to say. I would think you'd look at what a 5 litre 2 tone VH SL/E is going for, and add 5 grand or so to it?? Id think it might be worth 15 to 20k..? Approx... Dunno. Maybe more? Ive spoken to Aust Muscle Car mag a few times, and they are aware of these cars. Theres a strong possibility they'll be doing a feature on the top 30s at some stage, so that can only add to their value!