HOLDEN released its V8 VL Calais in 1986 as an emissions-stifled stumble in the otherwise great legacy of the Iron Lion. The only thing more shameful than the factory power output of the black motor was the fact that the controversial turbocharged Nissan six-cylinder available in some models ran rings around it in every performance metric.
It led to a slump in popularity for V8 VLs. Before the recent surge in Aussie muscle car prices, a typical V8-powered VL could be had for up to half the asking price of an RB30ET-equipped equivalent. But recently there’s been something of a resurgence of love for the eight-cylinder VL, which has seemed to emanate from the Illawarra region south of Sydney.
Which, as it happens, is where Marcus Nikolic hails from. Bitten by the VL bug before he’d even learned to drive, Marcus spied this car for sale locally and knew it would make a great base for his goals of VL stardom.
“It’s a genuine Calais,” he begins. “The car was immaculate to begin with; the previous owner had done an LS2 conversion and it had black Simmons wheels.”
Marcus wasted absolutely no time in upsizing the Yeah Buds and installing some springs to further lower the car. “That was all that was meant to happen!” he laughs. However, after cruising the car in this state for a while, the siren song of more horsepower became too strong for him.
“My cousin was getting an engine built by the team at Russo Performance, so we took a trip up to see Christian and Justin,” Marcus explains. “While we were there, my cousin mentioned that he was thinking of taking another direction with his build, so I stepped in and grabbed his combo for my car.”
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Street Machine Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Street Machine Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TRADE SECRETS
> DAVE CARNELL’S HQ TONNER RUNS NINES, MAKES 780HP AND COMPLETED DRAG CHALLENGE WITH A CHEAP-AS-CHIPS TURBO LS!
OUTER CRUST
DALE GRIDLEY WEDGED 426 CUBES OF MODERN MOPAR INTO AN UNSUSPECTING SURVIVOR AP5
HAVING IT ALL
STREET MANNERS, A SHOW-QUALITY FINISH AND SEVEN-SECOND POTENTIAL MAKE FOR A SPOT-ON VS!
THEM'S THE BREAKS
HAS YOUR BROKEN-DOWN RIDE GOT YOU HOT UNDER THE COLLAR? HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HELP GET YOUR CAR CHARGED , COOL AND BACK ON THE ROAD
NIPPED AND TUCKED
JAMES BULLIONS'S SLAMMED MAZDA R100 MAY LOOK SIMPLE ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT IT HARBOURS MIND-BOGGLING ENGINEERING UNDER THE SKIN
WAY OUT WEST
ONE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S MARQUEE MODIFIED CAR EVENTS, THE 38TH EDITION OF MOTORVATION SAW ACTION APLENTY
Minor MIRACLE
IT DOESN'T TAKE A LOT OF CAR TO STAND OUT, JUST A LOT OF WORK, AS RHONDA AND AL MAGRITZER DISCOVERED WITH THEIR BLOWN AND CONTINENTAL-KITTED MORRIS MINOR CUSTOM
TICKLED PINK
ASHLEY BELL'S XA FAIRMONT WENT FROM GRANDPA-SPEC TO A WILD PLUM STUNNER IN UNDER 12 MONTHS!
ROMPER STOMPER
JOE BAUER'S 3000HP DODGE CHARGER TOOK ON STREET MACHINE SUMMERNATS 36 AND EMERGED AS GRAND CHAMPION
LAPS OF LUXURY
RICCARDO PONTONIO PLANS TO RUN LAPS AT DRAG CHALLENGE 2023 IN ONE OF THE SLEEPIER ENTRANTS LINING UP FOR THE EVENT - A 1980s MERCEDES WAGON WITH AN LSA AND TWIN TURBOS!