Going Grandpa - Series 1 VN Executive

[Turd Ferguson]

Came across this randomly browsing marketplace, picked it up for 3k as it wasn't running ( no spark) and the plan is to "restore" it to original spec but with a few nice improvements to make it a bit nicer to drive. Was originally a fleet car in SA before going to and old lady who recently lost her license, done 10,000km in the last 13 years.
Engine and trans are quite nice for its age, actually surprisingly smooth, Needs suspension work, mainly just due to age of rubbers.

Make: Holden

Model: Commodore Executive

Engine: 3800 V6

Colour: White on Grey

Rims: 14'' Mooncaps

Km's: 199,000

Mods: None

Transmission: Auto

Future Mods: VT brake upgrade, new front and rear bumpers (grey) replace some of the 30 year old rubbers,

Pictures:

 

[Immortality]

Nice find.

I miss my old VN, was a great drivers car with the T5 in it.

 

[krusing]

Nice Find,
I had a 92 S Pack Wagon, they called it a VN Update [VN with VP Running Gear],
traded it in at Reg Hunt Holden in 1996 with 160,000 k's on it, and purchased a VS Acclaim Wagon.
Then seen the VN in Geelong a few years ago, Same Car [in pretty good condition] same rego plates but with 360,000 k's on it
The only major thing I replaced was the Diff [at 140,000 k's, as it was rumbling on corners.

If you want to hard wire the DashCam, and run the wires out of sight

There is a Phone Connector under the Left hand side Console trim/moulding.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Brake fluid has seen better days

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Alright so turns out the bleed nipples on both front calipers are snapped, No biggie as I was planning on upgrading anyway.

Thinking VT front brake conversion with the VN/VP 1'' Master cyl and stronger bracket, Seems to be the simplest way forward instead of stuffing around with VT master. It's not gonna be a race car anyway. Unfortunately will have to lose the mooncap 14's for that.

Got a new water pump and thermostat on the way, Managed to get a brand new expansion tank (Holden still had stock) so will be doing an overhaul there this week.

Noticed Oil pressure sensor leaking so added that to list. Flushed out fluid for power sterring which has felt a bit lousy but looks like I might need a new pump there.

Exhaust hitting frame near rear bumper so have new mounts to see if that rectifies, new sway bar links on the way as they are totally shot.
AC isn't cold at all, probably needs a re gas.

Last service ticked off in log book was 166,000km in 2004 but oil sticker on window showed it had been serviced since. Still, 30,000km in 15 years is pretty impressive. Been driving it around a little lately and it is very nice apart from the sway bar links clinking over every bump and the brakes feeling a bit warped.

 

[Rabbit383]

love it

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Cooling overhaul time, Lots and lots of brown in the system, not much coolant by the looks.

Expansion tank had seen better days as well.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I knew the front brakes were bad so wanted to pad slap it until I did the VT upgrade.

Turns out that ain't gonna happen. So back in the garage until I organise a VT upgrade kit now.

Plan is VT front brakes with braided lines front and back, VN/VP 1'' Master cyl and just new discs and pads on rear.

 

[NORTI]

Cooling overhaul time, Lots and lots of brown in the system, not much coolant by the looks.

Expansion tank had seen better days as well.

the good news is that you can get new ones of these.

 

[harrop.senator]

The brakes are still mushy and need a lot of pedal travel with the VT front brakes and 1" master. The quickfill really helps them. I have 1" factory master with the Corvette c4's on my senator. Stock single piston almost pulls up better in my opinion it's a waste of the brake set up. Will be going vt master.

Ve apparently works well with 1" master but need 16" rims and dogbones.