Australian race fans hold mixed feelings regarding the international Group A regulations put in place for the touring car championship in 1985, but did it produce some exciting road cars.
Group A regulations necessitated a manufacturer to build 5000 of the model chosen to race, while a further 500 evolution variants could be produced.
This is where the ‘Blue Meanie’ or officially the HDT VK SS Group A comes in.
Holden’s first Group A challenger on the track was a bit of a flop even though it did win its first race in Australia at Sandown, but soon weaknesses were discovered – particularly in the timing chain – and it was too heavy.
These were fixed for the evolution model VK SS Group A as the engine was de-stroked to below 5.0-litres or to 304 cubic inches.
There was a push to make sure the new VK SS Group A was homologated for the 1985 Bathurst 1000, but this just failed as preparations for the Holden Dealer Team’s European expedition of the next year ramped up of which this model formed the basis.
The ‘Blue Meanie’ was one of Brock’s best, 500 or 502 were built featuring many components to be installed in the racing version including the large front air dam, large boot spoiler, roller rockers, an HDT-designed Crane Cam and a modified block painted in distinctive red.
It came standard with a four-speed M21 gearbox, but for a $2850 option the T5 five-speed provided a smoother shift in what was an otherwise beast.
HDT’s 16×7 Aero rims were installed all minus flush covers as standard, but Brock wanted the wheels to be white although it was agreed together with Holden those were an option.
Inside, Scheel seats, Momo steering wheel and gearstick were the only luxuries, with just two speakers and a tape deck providing the entertainment factor.
It was pure performance, the ‘Blue Meanie’ was a rough ride, had a lumpy idle and went hard, but it also had the capability of carrying a family or towing a boat.
The racing version was successful both locally and abroad, but the road-going version is still revered today as one of Australia’s classic muscle cars.
It’s a shame we won’t witness something like it again.