Car of the Day - Holden Coupe 60 Concept

Car of the Day -
2008 Holden Coupe 60 Concept

Holden celebrated its sixtieth anniversary with a special two-door concept called the Coupe 60. A stunning modern design built on a shortened VE Sedan platform.

The VE itself has been one of Holden’s most successful cars. It allowed the company to build on the reputation of the Monaro which had found it’s way to the American market as the Pontiac GTO. The 2-door Monaro paved the way for the export of the VE sedan as the Pontiac G8 and also helped gain work for the Australian arm of General Motors developing the Chev Camaro. Holden had become the SME’s for rear-drive four seat V8’s, ie; Muscle Cars.

The first car that General Motors Holden built at the famous Australian GM plant at Fishermans Bend in Port Melbourne, Victoria was the 48-215. It helped establish the company as builders of solid quality product. That tradition continues today with not only solid family cars, but also performance cars for the everyman.

In Australia there are two camps, you are either a Holden person or a Ford person and the passion for the marques runs deep. The one-eyed enthusiasm has been built on family loyalty and racing - and the most legendary race of all - Bathurst. While both marques have equally famous models, in many enthusiasts hearts the 2-door Holden V8 stands above any other.

In this case the concept remained just that - a what could have been - if we did not run into the GFC. The concept was right - unfortunately the timing was wrong. The styling is superb and much more cohesive than the other GM 2-door sports luxury tourer, the chunky and awkward Cadillac CTS Coupe.

The VE platform was shortened by 60 mm which provides a well proportioned muscular stance for the pillarless Coupe. Sitting on 21 inch centre-lock wheel the car looks ready for Bathurst. The Kumho semi-slick tyres, full flat under body, rear air diffuser and deck-lid spoiler continue that ready to race look.

The racing reference and technology continues in the interior with a flat bottomed steering wheel with integrated shift light display and LCD sports instrument cluster. There are also high gloss carbon fiber doors liners, rear trim and one piece carbon fiber bucket seats with four-point race harness.

The heart of any Aussie Muscle Car is the engine, and in this case it is a 6.0 litre V8 with active fuel management and calibrated for E85 ethanol fuel.

One that got away. Unfortunately for Australian enthusiasts..

Rod Halligan