That’s a no, Chuck — V8 Till ’98

by David Burrell It was in March 1984, at the VK Commodore release, that motoring journos discovered that Holden was planning to axe the V8 ...

by David Burrell

It was in March 1984, at the VK Commodore release, that motoring journos discovered that Holden was planning to axe the V8 in 1986.

The reason Holden gave was that they did not want to spend the money to convert the engine to run on unleaded fuel. 

Such a decision did not go down well with the assembled scribes, especially over a long and sumptuous dinner.

Table place name cards were refashioned into HOLDEN V8 TIL '98 badges.

Street Machine's Geoff Paradise started the campaign that day and by the end of the night it had gained a momentum that was unstoppable. 

Chuck Chapman, GMH's boss, was subjected to increasing questions and pressure to reverse the decision.

Wheels and Street Machine magazine urged their readers to contact GMH to complain. 

Photos of Wheels editor Peter Robinson, Street Machine editor Phil Scott and GMH boss Chuck Chapman with HOLDEN V8 TIL '98 badges were published.

A pre-printed protest coupon appeared in Wheels

Just sign it and mail it to GMH was all anyone had to do. 

The Daily Telegraph newspaper also joined the campaign. 

It is estimated that 15,000 letters/coupons were sent to Holden. 

Faced with that backlash, Holden’s bosses relented, and V8s remained a Holden hallmark until the end of local production.

Such is the power of motoring enthusiasts.

I wonder if such a passionate response to an automotive issue would happen in Australia now?

David Burrell is the editor of retroautos

Wheels editor Peter Robinson, GMH boss Chuck Chapman and Street Machine editor Phil Scott with HOLDEN V8 TIL '98 badges.

HOLDEN V8 TIL '98

The coupon as it appeared in Wheels.

V8 engine

Peter Brock 1985 HDT VK Group A SS Commodore

 

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