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Hi all,
I’m chasing some help verifying whether my car is a genuine VH SS HDT Improved.
Here are the key details:
Build date: April 1983
Model: VH8VK69 (Commodore SS Sedan)
Body No: 591806-S (Elizabeth build)
Chassis/VIN: 8K69TC L591806 H
Engine: L31 (5.0L 308ci), number stamped VT38003
Trans: M21 4-speed manual
Diff: GU4 (3.08 LSD)
Trim: 1920-79T (Claret tweed)
Paint: 1F 075-D (Fiery/Flame Red)
Features on the car now:
HDT Improved dash badge
Momo/HDT steering wheel & gear knob
Suspension mods (Pedders Gas Sports Ryder shocks, Whiteline/King springs, thicker sway bars)
Brown Davis drop tank
Engine rebuilt previously with B-cast heads, ACL pistons, late A9L rods (BNB Engines / Terry Wallis Motors)
What I know:
Definitely a genuine VH SS (tags all match).
Previous auction listings described it as HDT Improved.
A few things on it (badge, wheel, suspension, drop tank) aren’t standard SS, so I’m trying to confirm if it went through Bertie Street as an Improved car.
Appreciate any guidance, records, or if anyone here recognises the car or numbers.
Cheers,
Brad
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Not sure about the car but that engine number is out of a VB. |
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Is the engine number missing a 6th digit ? It is not recorded in the "Brock Bible" as HDT build. Thanks Mark. |
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Originally Posted by: Beansy  Hi all,
I’m chasing some help verifying whether my car is a genuine VH SS HDT Improved.
Here are the key details:
Build date: April 1983
Model: VH8VK69 (Commodore SS Sedan)
Body No: 591806-S (Elizabeth build)
Chassis/VIN: 8K69TC L591806 H
Engine: L31 (5.0L 308ci), number stamped VT38003
Trans: M21 4-speed manual
Diff: GU4 (3.08 LSD)
Trim: 1920-79T (Claret tweed)
Paint: 1F 075-D (Fiery/Flame Red)
Features on the car now:
HDT Improved dash badge
Momo/HDT steering wheel & gear knob
Suspension mods (Pedders Gas Sports Ryder shocks, Whiteline/King springs, thicker sway bars)
Brown Davis drop tank
Engine rebuilt previously with B-cast heads, ACL pistons, late A9L rods (BNB Engines / Terry Wallis Motors)
What I know:
Definitely a genuine VH SS (tags all match).
Previous auction listings described it as HDT Improved.
A few things on it (badge, wheel, suspension, drop tank) aren’t standard SS, so I’m trying to confirm if it went through Bertie Street as an Improved car.
Appreciate any guidance, records, or if anyone here recognises the car or numbers.
Cheers,
Brad all these don't make sense ... Build date: April 1983
Model: VH8VK69 (Commodore SS Sedan)
Body No: 591806-S (Elizabeth build)
Chassis/VIN: 8K69TC L591806 H
Engine: L31 (5.0L 308ci), number stamped VT38003Elizabeth build with a 'L' tag is ok but ... Body number has - S ? Isn't Elizabth - A? Engine number starts with VT.. that code sequence started with VB build (and went until VK LV2 started) so needs a proper engine number and preferably block casting date too but Build plate?.. no details but MUST have XV2 (- SS Commodore Sports Sedan (VH & VK)) following on from VH8VK69 stamping on plate |
Club circuit racing...the best fun you can have with your pants on |
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Groups: Registered
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Originally Posted by: justgm Is the engine number missing a 6th digit ? It is not recorded in the "Brock Bible" as HDT build. Thanks Mark. When looking at this more, yes I did drop a number and also made a typo (apologies) I guess it makes it a tad hard to get help when i give the wrong info... sorry about that Model -VH8VK69-XV2 Body - 591806-A Trim - 1980-79T Paint 1F 075-D Apr 83 L31, M21 GU4 CVH1040103A VT380009 on another tag it has the following 8k69TC L591806 H Appreciate the response Mark.
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That’s better for the engine number.
Notice how consistent GMH were with RPO codes? HQ SS was V8 Belmont sedan with XV2 applied. The next time they used SS for the sports sedan based upon the base vehicle was on VH. |
_______________________________________________________
If we all had the same (good) taste, who would buy all the Fords? |
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Originally Posted by: Smitty2 Originally Posted by: Beansy Hi all,
I’m chasing some help verifying whether my car is a genuine VH SS HDT Improved.
Here are the key details:
Build date: April 1983
Model: VH8VK69 (Commodore SS Sedan)
Body No: 591806-S (Elizabeth build)
Chassis/VIN: 8K69TC L591806 H
Engine: L31 (5.0L 308ci), number stamped VT38003
Trans: M21 4-speed manual
Diff: GU4 (3.08 LSD)
Trim: 1920-79T (Claret tweed)
Paint: 1F 075-D (Fiery/Flame Red)
Features on the car now:
HDT Improved dash badge
Momo/HDT steering wheel & gear knob
Suspension mods (Pedders Gas Sports Ryder shocks, Whiteline/King springs, thicker sway bars)
Brown Davis drop tank
Engine rebuilt previously with B-cast heads, ACL pistons, late A9L rods (BNB Engines / Terry Wallis Motors)
What I know:
Definitely a genuine VH SS (tags all match).
Previous auction listings described it as HDT Improved.
A few things on it (badge, wheel, suspension, drop tank) aren’t standard SS, so I’m trying to confirm if it went through Bertie Street as an Improved car.
Appreciate any guidance, records, or if anyone here recognises the car or numbers.
Cheers,
Brad all these don't make sense ... Build date: April 1983
Model: VH8VK69 (Commodore SS Sedan)
Body No: 591806-S (Elizabeth build)
Chassis/VIN: 8K69TC L591806 H
Engine: L31 (5.0L 308ci), number stamped VT38003Elizabeth build with a 'L' tag is ok but ... Body number has - S ? Isn't Elizabth - A? Engine number starts with VT.. that code sequence started with VB build (and went until VK LV2 started) so needs a proper engine number and preferably block casting date too but Build plate?.. no details but MUST have XV2 (- SS Commodore Sports Sedan (VH & VK)) following on from VH8VK69 stamping on plate 100% right, apologies. I was making notes and flicking in between and left some crucial info out... Model -VH8VK69-XV2 Body - 591806-A Trim - 1980-79T Paint 1F 075-D Apr 83 L31, M21 GU4 CVH1040103A VT380009 on another tag it has the following 8k69TC L591806 H not sure if i read this right, correct me if im wrong, I think the casting number is "11k2" Thank you for your response.
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Originally Posted by: HK1837 That’s better for the engine number.
Notice how consistent GMH were with RPO codes? HQ SS was V8 Belmont sedan with XV2 applied. The next time they used SS for the sports sedan based upon the base vehicle was on VH. Getting there... must admit though, the intricacies isn't of the history isn't my strong point, which you've probably already guessed. Initially, I thought I had a standard vh ss, which im completely happy with, but there are a few other bits on it that made me want to learn more about it. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. Cheers
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I thought a VH SS was standard with a 4.2? Even the HDT modified Group 1-3. The standard GMH 5.0L or the V5H version were optional depending upon the car. |
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If we all had the same (good) taste, who would buy all the Fords? |
 1 user thanked HK1837 for this useful post.
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Originally Posted by: HK1837 I thought a VH SS was standard with a 4.2? Even the HDT modified Group 1-3. The standard GMH 5.0L or the V5H version were optional depending upon the car. This was my original thought as well. However, there are a few that came out with the 5lt. Happy to be told otherwise, as im sure, there are much more knowledgeable people on this matter then me. So this, plus a few other bits on the car has lead me to wanting to build out the history. Which I might regret 😀
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5.L was optional was what I meant. A standard SS. regardless of if a Group car or not was a 4.2. |
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If we all had the same (good) taste, who would buy all the Fords? |
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Originally Posted by: HK1837 I thought a VH SS was standard with a 4.2? Even the HDT modified Group 1-3. The standard GMH 5.0L or the V5H version were optional depending upon the car. correct that ! 4.2 V8s rule in all VH models.. GMH or HDT with the 5.0 as an option in all too just gotta find my copy of the HDT build book to see if this is a VH 'Group car or just a standard SS with some HDT options (aka enhanced) Edited by user Tuesday, 16 September 2025 6:05:22 PM(UTC)
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Club circuit racing...the best fun you can have with your pants on |
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