The VB Commodore was built from October 1978-March 1980 The VB was the first of 37 years of Commodores, the Australian built VB was a complete new car, it replaced the HZ Holden, now a smaller car because of the global oil crisis, so more fuel efficent. It was based on the German Opel Reckford and Senator. There were no long wheelbase Statesman or Utility versions so the old Kingswood shape continued on to fill the gap, the facelifted HZ; the WB. Three levels of trim were available; Base; 2850cc, 4 spd manual, body coloured tail panel, silver dash, vinyl trim, steel wheels SL; 3300cc, 3 spd auto, silver tail panel, rosewood dash, cloth trim, wheel trims, vertical accents in grille, twin mirrors. SLE; 4200cc, 3 spd auto, black tail panel, walnut dash, velour trim, alloy wheels, blacked out grille, headlight wipers, 5.0 option. A Wagon was introduced in July 1979, available in base or SL. Engines; Red 6 cyls; 64kw 2850 or 71kw 3300