Alex Crisa’s Series II VL Calais Turbo

We first featured Alex Crisa’s VL Calais Turbo in Street Machine Commodores issue #35 in 2010 and then again in 2018. Here, Alex explains the many major upgrades done to the car over the two decades that he has owned it.

First published in the September 2025 issue of Street Machine

“I’ve owned this genuine 1987 Series II VL Calais Turbo for 20 years, purchasing it as a red-over-silver multi-tone car with the typical rust issues in the windscreen surround.

“What began as a tidy-up project quickly turned into a long-term commitment and passion.

MORE Alex’s eight-second 1150hp 1987 Holden VL Calais turbo Series II – 2018

“Eighteen years ago, the car received its first major transformation with a custom Candy Apple Red respray – a colour that still turns heads today.

“Since then, it has continually evolved, with major upgrades every few years to keep pushing boundaries and set a new standard for modification.

“The car has seen four different engine set-ups, each a step up in performance and innovation, culminating in the current configuration: a billet RB30 block mated with a RB25 cylinder head, built for strength, reliability and power.

“The interior has been completely custom-built twice over. The engine bay and wheels feature unique custom rose gold detailing, which helps set the build apart and showcases both style and substance.

“This isn’t just a car – it’s a labour of love and a personal journey spanning two decades. Every change made has been driven by the desire to innovate, stand out, and pay respect to the VL legacy in a modern way.”

This is how Alex’s VL Calais looked when we featured it in 2018

Photos: Ripley Szczerba

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