Generally, throughout the online Commodore community, the VN is considered somewhat of a black sheep. You’ve only got to do a quick search of the larger forums and you’ll find some less than glowing reports. However, doing a search for the VN Aero will yield a completely different result- quite often, the polar opposite. But what is it that changes opinions when you start talking about the Aero?

Developed as a stylish, purposeful street weapon, the VN HDT Aero is renowned for the body kit that makes no effort to hide in traffic and the performance to back up the looks with a 199kw engine package that left the competing HSVs of the time in the shade.

Nathan’s Aero is increasingly rare as being a low kilometre, well maintained genuine example after so many have been written off or degraded by uncaring owners. But that isn’t to say this particular car didn’t have it's brush with the wrecker’s yard- or that it’s been all beer and skittles getting it looking as sharp as it does today.

Originally rolling out of Elizabeth as an Imperial Blue SS before HDT turned their hand at it and created VN Aero number 22, Nathan’s six years as owner has seen the odometer climb from 86,000km to 99,000km. The Clubsport rims which it wore at the time of purchase were replaced with 17 x 8 Avanti rims and a VN Group A bonnet bulge was added to give the Aero an even more aggressive look.

The addition of a pod air filter and 2.5inch exhaust coming off HDT headers and stopping before the diff should mean the power figure reaches beyond 200kw. The power hits the wheels through a rebuilt and slightly worked T700 with a Corvette servo and a couple of other mods to firm the shifts up. A HDT diff remains, fitted with a 3.45:1 ratio to give the Aero a little more poke off the line than the factory offerings. Drilled and slotted rotors are clamped by Bendix Ultimate pads to ensure the whole thing pulls up in plenty of time and provide a little bit of bling behind the rims.

Interior is largely SS with an Autotechnica steering wheel and Calais door trims that help accommodate power windows and central locking. A basic stereo install with a couple of 12 inch subs ensure that there are other options on a weekend cruise if the sounds of a HDT tuned V8 through a 2.5 inch exhaust ending at the diff get boring (is that possible?!).

But it was during one of the weekend jaunts when the Aero received damages to the extent that the insurance company was prepared to consign it to the scrap heap. Interestingly, the insurance company didn’t even know what an Aero was which held up the process no end.

Where as others would have taken the money and run (once a value had finally been reached), the bug had bitten deep enough for Nathan to do everything he could to keep it in his garage. Buying the wreck back, it would be two long years and a couple of dodgy tradesmen before the Aero would once again take to the streets.

During the repairs, the aerial was deleted and smoothed, as was the exhaust cut out in the rear bar and the boot lock which now opens via the VS boot release system to give the panel work that something else that you can’t really put your finger on until you take a closer look.

Seeing as the car would also require paint, it was the perfect time to replace the factory Imperial Blue with a darker hue off the BMW colour chart – Pacific Blue Metallic. Keeping the colour fairly subdued- rather than making the jump to some of the more radical paint choices you often see on modified Aeros- fits the overall theme well.

As yet the car is untested on the blacktop dyno and Nath is keeping his cards close to his chest as to whether or not we'll see it cutting times in the future. For now at least the mods help punt it around Darwin during the NTHSV club cruises and keep it looking good while it's out and about.

Talking to Nathan doesn’t reveal too many secrets as to what the future holds for number 22 but with murmurs of a possible 355 and knowing that the 17”s aren’t as appealing as they were a couple of years ago it’s safe to say the bad days are behind this Aero.

Words by Mick

Pictures by Nathan

Trademark Aero rear end

The package as it is today

Subtle mods with big impact

Who can argue with the colour choice?

Worth the wait