The Holden brand may have disappeared from the marketplace, but the Commodore will remain an enduring model of its near 70-year history just as the Clubsport will do so for the marque’s performance partner.
Lasting nearly the entire run of Holden Special Vehicles from when it was first founded in 1987 until it wound up in 2020, the Clubsport is one of the iconic models produced by the Walkinshaw-owned performance brand.
Early during HSV’s history SV used to decipher models when in 1990 the Clubsport came on the scene followed by the Maloo ute, top of the range Senator, Statesman-based Grange and GTS.
Clubsport became the entry model for SV’s range towards the close of the 1990s as another specification titled R8 provided an elevated specification and option range.
Just 410 of the first iteration of VN Clubsports were produced featuring a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine mated to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual. Exterior differences included badging, front and rear spoilers, side skirts, while star pattern alloy wheels completed the package.
Known later on for his design of slick Jaguars, Ian Callum weaved his magic on the VS HSV range, including the Clubsport to provide the slickest design yet for the Commodore-based performance variants.
Changes for the VS Clubsport included three-spoke alloy wheels, a larger body kit featuring a front bumper, rear spoiler and reworked interior including airbags, while power was upped to 185kW.
The following VT Clubsport was the first to be exported overseas as the Brits enjoyed the brutish and simplistic environment of the latest breed of Australian muscle cars. The usual changes to the exterior and interior were made as power output was upped to 195kW, but through the introduction of the 5.7-litre LS1 V8 it rose to 250kW.
VX variants changed marginally with a 5kW increase in engine power and the updated second version arriving in 2001 welcomed HSV’s multi-link independent rear suspension.
A big change followed in 2002 with the arrival of Holden’s VY Commodore, but the Clubsport again gained more power, a better handling package and upgraded interior. The following VZ model further refined the breed and the new appearance was clean, providing special edition models as well.
Known as the billion dollar baby, Holden’s VE model led to the upgraded 6.0-litre LS2 and later 6.2-litre LS3 V8s as the continuing relationship with Vauxhall in the UK continued to send the Clubsport across as the VXR8. Locally, a wagon was introduced to the line-up further expanding the Clubsport nameplate. A 20th Anniversary model was released as well featuring every option on the HSV list.
The latest and the last arrived in 2013 as the VF entered the market with a 317kW 6.2-litre LS3 V8 before being upgraded to 325kW later during the model run. In 2015, the Clubsport R8 25th Anniversary was launched celebrating the history of the model with a special run of 108 featuring mainly exterior modifications.
Just two years later the Clubsport name was finished as was the Commodore when Holden ended local production in 2017 and therefore HSV focused its efforts on the Camaro.