
The 1988 HSV VL SS Group A ‘Walkinshaw’ was built to homologate the Holden VL Commodore Group A race car. Following the dissolution of the Holden Dealer Team in 1987, it would be the first car to roll out of Tom Walkinshaw Racing’s newly formed Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) operation in Melbourne.
A series of 500 vehicles was commissioned by Holden, which rose to 750 to satisfy demand. All were finished in the now iconic Panorama Silver.
VL Commodore Group A SV body
The ‘plastic fantastic’ bodykit wasn’t to everyone’s tastes, with some customers rumoured to have had HSV remove the aero package before delivery. Dubbos.
Due to its high use of plastic in the bodykit, it was nicknamed the “Plastic Pig” and “Batmobile”. Other, less derogatory nicknames included the “Walkinshaw” and the most common of all, “Walky” (after TWR’s chief Tom Walkinshaw).
But i love it for crazy rear part <3
VL Commodore Group A SV underhood
The engine was specially made to withstand racing conditions. The block was specially cast and crankcase was fitted with four bolt main bearing caps. The heads were revised with high-flow intake ports and roller rockers. Special connecting rods, crankshafts, and pistons were fitted as well as a custom exhaust.
The key feature though was the fabled Walkinshaw twin throttle body inlet manifold, which had been specially developed for the Group A and featured sequential setup with a smaller and larger throttle body. This was fitted with a restrictor plate on the larger, secondary throttle body, which actually let less air through than the smaller throttle body. Some reports have indicated that as much as 50–60 horsepower can be gained from the removal of the restrictor plates.
VL Commodore Group A SV other specs:
- Length: 4766 mm
- Width: 1722 mm
- Height: 1368 mm
- Wheelbase: 2668 mm
- 0- 1/4mile (sec): 14.6
- Standard tire size: 205/55 VR 16
VL Commodore Group A SV gallery

