Energy Polarizer controversy
During the 1980s, the Holden Dealer Team (HDT), a semi-official Australian racing outfit and car tuning partner of Holden, faced controversy after fitting cars with epoxy-resin boxes containing crystals and magnets they called "Energy Polarizers". These devices were pseudoscientifically claimed to improve performance by "aligning molecules".[1]
In 1980 Peter Brock[a] formed Holden Dealer Team Special Vehicles, a car tuning company for Holden vehicles,[2] and produced "homologation specials" based on the Holden Commodore.[3] On 20 February 1987 HDT unveiled the HDT Director, based on the Holden Commodore (VL), with the option to install Energy Polarizer devices for AU$480. Brock described the boxes as "a magic cure" that "made a shit house car good". His belief in the devices originated from the influence of the Melbourne-based chiropractor Eric Dowker, who had helped Brock give up alcohol and cigarettes and influenced a belief in crystal healing and orgone energy. 173 units were sold with the Energy Polarizer.[1][4][5]
Due to the controversy and the HDT team's installation of new rear suspension without prior permission or testing, Holden ended the relationship in 1987, later founding Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) with Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) as its performance division.[6][5][4][1] The Australian Skeptics awarded Peter Brock the 1986 'Bent Spoon Award' for the Energy Polarizer.[1]
In 2011 Holden Dealer Team Special Vehicles released the "VL/VE Group A Plus Pack" with Energy Polarizer devices fitted, as part of the retro-styled "Heritage Series" of cars.[7] In 2017 Holden produced a special edition Director model of the Holden Calais V (VF), 360 units were produced.[8]
Notes
[edit]- ↑ Not to confused with American automotive designer Pete Brock
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 Dinjaski, Melanie (22 February 2022). "How Peter Brock's crystal obsession tore the Holden Dealer Team apart". Nine News. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ↑ Margeit, Rob (15 September 2022). "Brock's legacy lives on". Drive. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ↑ DeGasperi, Daniel (8 September 2016). "HDT Special Vehicles: Brock's 1980s baby". Motor. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- 1 2 Hunting, Benjamin (25 January 2021). "That Time a Racing Legend Endorsed Healing Crystals for Cars". Motor Trend. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- 1 2 McAleer, Brendan (25 February 2025). "The Crystal-Based Energy Polarizer Was the Weirdest Performance Option Ever". Hagerty. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ↑ Torchinsky, Jason (30 January 2018). "How A Box Of Magic Crystals Brought Down Australia's Most Famous Race Car Driver". Jalopnik. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ↑ Klose, Steane (20 October 2011). "HDT Reveals The VL-VE Group A Plus Pack". Drive. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ Newman, Scot (23 February 2017). "Why Holden chose the Director name". Motor. Retrieved 17 November 2025.