1985 VK Commodore Vacationer: Reader ride

By: Chris Georgaloudis, Photography by: Chris Georgaloudis

Date: 27.11.2014

Chris Georgaloudis' 1985 VK Commodore Vacationer

Chris Georgaloudis' 1985 VK Commodore Vacationer

Chris Georgaloudis' 1985 VK Commodore Vacationer

Chris Georgaloudis' 1985 VK Commodore Vacationer

Chris Georgaloudis' 1985 VK Commodore Vacationer

Chris Georgaloudis' 1985 VK Commodore Vacationer

Chris Georgaloudis' 1985 VK Commodore Vacationer

Chris Georgaloudis' 1985 VK Commodore Vacationer

Chris Georgaloudis' 1985 VK Commodore Vacationer

I’m a mechanic by trade and a Ford man but I purchased this genuine one-owner 1985 VK Vacationer from one of my regular customers, Oliver Kabaj. He bought it brand new from Alan Mance Motors in Footscray in January 1986 and promised me that if he ever sold his beloved VK it would be to me. He was as good as his word and let me have it for just $500.

The Vacationer was an end-of-model runout special and the pack included stripes and decals and options like cloth seats, electric aerial, extra parcel shelf speaker and a towbar. You can tell a genuine Vacationer by the chassis ID number. If it has XY8 on the end it’s the real deal.

I serviced the car throughout Oliver’s ownership so I knew it well and apart from regular handbook servicing, all I ever replaced were the radiator and water pump and fitted new brakes. It’s still on its original exhaust system. It’s got the black 202 six with electronic timing and is the last of the carburettor Commodores. 

It’s in fantastic nick and has only done 154,000km, which is about 5,000 a year. All I’ve done since buying it in August is give it a quick polish and replace the Vacationer decals, as they were peeling and badly faded after almost 30 Aussie summers. It’s beautiful to drive and there is not a rattle in it. It’s like sitting on a comfy couch. I promised Oliver that I’d never sell it and I won’t. This VK Vacationer will probably outlast me!

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

Sell your car for free right here