The Holden Commodore and three things we’ll miss: A spacious, muscly wagon
As the sun sets on Australian manufacturing, we look back on three things we’ll miss about the Australian creation: the Holden Commodore.
Despite SUVs now being the ‘in’ thing, wagons have always held a place on the Australian landscape. I’d argue that everybody has owned, or knew somebody that had, a Holden Commodore wagon in their life at some point.
After all, they’re synonymous with road trips, family outings, drive-in movies and…intimate encounters (brief in my case).
Holden‘s first Commodore-based wagon was released only a year after the first locally-produced Commodore, in 1979. Since then, we’ve seen all sorts of wagons from Holden — including fast ones, slow ones and special editions like the Sandman.
One of our favourites though is the latest — the VFII SS-V Redline. Sporting a 6.2-litre ‘LS3’ V8 engine that produces 304kW of power and 570Nm of torque, it really is the loudest and fastest way to move a family without spending mega dollars, or joining the SUV bandwagon.
We hit the road in the red missile for one last drive before the doors are closed at Holden’s manufacturing plant in Elizabeth, South Australia.
What’s your favourite (PG-rated) Commodore wagon memory? Did you grow up with a Commodore wagon in your life? If so, which one and which is your favourite model?
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