Last Australian Holden Commodore Patrol Cars Honored: Victorian Police Send Out Last Pair of VF II SS V8s in an Emotional, If Not Quite Accurate, Tribute

Understandably, the Victoria Police wanted to keep the last of the VF II Commodore SS V8 patrol cars as long as possible.

Victoria Police have released a video highlighting the last two Australian-made Holden Commodore patrol cars that were officially retired this month after more than six years of active service.

The video, narrated by Patrol Sergeant Jason Doyle, who also graduated from Highway Patrol on the same day as the cars, is a sentimental but upbeat tribute to the 42 years of service the cult Holden series has given the Victoria Police.

“We are here at Dawson Street (Brunswick, Victoria Police Compound) for the last patrol of Australian made VF II Commodores V8s on the road,” Sgt. Doyle said.

“I think we got our first vehicles in 1979 and they've been a staple of the Highway Patrol ever since.

“These vehicles have served the Victorian Highway Patrol well for a number of years. They accelerate well, brake well, handle the road superbly, no matter what we throw at it, they will handle it. They are also very durable."

The latest pair of Commodore Patrol Vehicles in use by the State Highway Patrol are examples of 2016 VF II SS VF II SS V8 specially trained sedans built in '6.2, believed to be powered by a modified version of Chevrolet's US-made 3-liter LS8 V1 engine. , in Slipstream Blue (Victorian registration 7LZ-1AO) and Phantom Black (3MF-XNUMXQR).

Staying within the script, Sergeant Doyle said that while the Holdens will be missed, their BMW replacement (introduced in 2017) will remain a worthy successor, although the Commodore has not been downplayed.

"They have stood the test of time and it's a sad day for them to go even though we have great replacements at BMW," he said.

“I can honestly say that I love these cars. I'm a huge rap for them. I think they are great for this purpose. This is a sad day for me and coincides with my last day on Highway Patrol, so I think it's quite fitting.

"It's the end of an era."

The Victoria Police video shows several images of past Commodore patrol cars, including the VL (1986–1988), VX (2000–2002), VZ (2004–2006) and VE (2006–2013), as well as a couple of later (VZ ) Monaros with their controversial nostrils on the hood of the Pontiac GTO.

Note, however, that the video erroneously states that Commodore sales began in Australia in 1977, when the model was actually launched in October 1978.

Not a word was mentioned about the other locally built Victorian Highway Patrol vehicle, the Ford Falcon V8.

The final video of the Victoria Police VF II patrol cars follows a social media post three weeks before the end of the VF II Commodore SS Melton Highway Patrol.

The vehicle, known as "Thomas", was reportedly serving the western suburbs of Melbourne from February 2018 to November 30, 2021. Along with road policing, it has been used in wildfire emergencies, at COVID-19 border checkpoints, and elsewhere. public Utilities.

"All members who have worked for the SS Commodore will have fond memories of their time behind the wheel, whether the VF was their first or the last of several generations of Commodores over the past 30+ years," according to Melton Highway Patrol.

“Our boss, who has driven every VicPol Commodore since VK rated the VF Series 2 as the best of the bunch, is followed by the VL Turbo. The replacement will be the BMW X5, which you should see on the roads around Melton in the very near future.”