First published in the August 2002 issue of Street Machine

The marketing hype about the Aero chocky bar says the bubbles of nothing make it really something. But it’s the buckets of detailing, horsepower and killer looks in Todd Hopkins’ 1996 HDT Aero that make this VR Commodore something so much more. So, apart from the common name, why the hell theme your ride like a chocolate bar?

Todd was driving home from the Summernats a couple of years ago feeling peeved that his full-house VL Aero didn’t get a great deal of recognition from the onlookers.

“Nobody really seemed to care about it,” he said. He was mulling it over at a servo while biting into an Aero chocolate bar when it hit him – Aero bar, Aero car.

The VL was a great machine but Todd got to thinking about its age – particularly if he was going to see through this sudden flash of confectionary inspiration. He also figured the VL wasn’t getting the recognition because it was an older Commodore. Next thing, he was face to face with a hard-bargaining used-car salesman who held the paperwork to what could be his next investment and future project. It was the perfect car, a ’96 VR Aero with every feature and in spotless factory condition. He took the plunge, signed on the dotted line and project Aero Bar was on.

Between Todd, a bunch of top businesses, a few of his mates and a guy called Joe, the next few months flew by. The car was soon nothing like it was when he bought it and Todd was happy.

Under the bonnet was an HSV GTS 5.7-litre engine that was originally in his VL, with port-matched heads, Holden EFI manifold, Crane hydraulic cam, TWR forged 9.5:1 pistons and a JP high-volume oil pump. It was freshened up during the trip to its new home. Once in the VR, the stroker was treated to an STA blower that now demands a diet of Optimax pumped through Bosch Motorsport 30lb injectors fed by a pair of Motorsport fuel pumps located under the rear.

While the factory Delco computer still gives the orders, the Memcal has been reprogrammed by ChipTorque to make the required timing and injector pulse width changes. Still happy with the factory ignition, Todd added a set of Top Gun leads.

The gasses now flow freely courtesy of HSV headers and twin hi-flow cats leading into a full three-inch exhaust with a hi-flow muffler. Since the photo shoot, he’s managed to get his hands on a Harrop twin throttle manifold.

Copping 5.7 litres of blown, take that grunt is a Walkinshaw T5-G gearbox fronted by a Centreforce clutch. Power is shifted through the factory tailshaft and 3.08:1 LSD that will soon be replaced by a set of 3.9:1 gears for added tyre incineration.

On the outside, the original Aero body kit remains as per factory but now wears several coats of Redfire Gold applied by the lads from Sarina Prestige. Following the Aero bar theme, Todd went to Wayne at Advanced Airbrush, who made the Commodore look like it’s in a wrapper being peeled back. Not only did Wayne do the entire front end, side areas and rear, but he continued the effect under the bonnet, through the interior and around the doors onto the door trims, giving the impression that the Aero really is more hollow than regular Commodores.

MJM Motor Trimmers are the guns who made the interior what it is today, stitching the new VT bucket seats in metallic/slate leather. The seats, the Peter Brock-signed dash and a host of similar areas complement the colour of the car perfectly. Floor panelling gives the floor a much cleaner appearance than carpet, while also giving Wayne more space to attack with his airbrush.

Apart from the cool paint and graphics, you can’t miss the massive 20-inch Momo rims. Todd likes ’em big and knew that getting those buggers under the guards wasn’t gunna be a walk in the park. Next step was to visit the lads at Roman Autotek where Joe cottoned on to what he needed straight away, yet knew they’d be hard to get hold of.

Instead of giving Todd the ol’ “Nah, sorry mate, can’t help ya” routine, Joe did his homework and came up with the goods: Status rims wrapped in ballsy 255/35/20 Falken rubber, tyres you don’t often expect to see doing monster burnouts.

Because of the massive rims, Todd also had a hand from the guys at Mick & Joe’s Tyres, who set up his new fully-adjustable front coil-over suspension.

“The guys were great. They kept persevering even after they kept getting sent the wrong parts,” said Todd. The front set-up consists of a combination of Bilstein and Koni shock parts suspended by a pair of King springs. The rear upgrade was a lot simpler, using Pedders lowered shocks and springs.

Todd can rest assured he won’t hit any dogs on the road courtesy of the HDT brakes. The fronts are 300mm and the whole system is backed up by a factory Holden ABS system, so the Commodore pulls up faster than a cadet’s pants after a medical.

Judging by the entertainment system in his car, you could say Todd likes his tunes, too. And why stay at home when you can roll around in a blown V8 with a better home theatre and Sony PlayStation set-up than most people’s lounge rooms? In the dash is an Alpine CVA-1000 TV/tuner head unit, coupled to the latest and greatest Sony entertainment.

Whether it’s Gran Turismo, a movie or the latest top 10 hits, you can guarantee it’ll be loud, ’cause when you flip down the back seat, there’s four sub woofers – two 15-inchers and two 12-inchers – powered by a threesome of Alpine V12 amps. Covering the ear-piercing high end are two pairs of six-by-five-inch coaxials up the back and two pairs of six-by-five splits up the front.

Aero Bar has already won awards at high profile car shows such as the Summernats and Auto Salon, and Todd isn’t ready to quit just yet. The Commodore is constantly being updated and changed. He’s all geared up for this year’s Auto Salon in Melbourne after having taken home the prestigious title of Hottest Australian Modified at the Sydney event.

So now we’re wondering what Todd will be eating on the way home from next year’s Summernats. Will he come up with a Fillet-O-Falcon? Let’s hope not.

TODD HOPKINS
1996 HDT “AERO BAR”