Late model local hero car
For collectors of Australian cars, VE-VF series Holdens have particular significance as the last of the locally-made breed.
Glenn Torrens, in his feature on the VE-VF series Holdens, notes: “Holden had even more freedom with the design as it was tasked with creating a car that would be at home anywhere on the planet. From the bitter cold of the US north-west and Canada to the stinking heat of Australia and the Middle East – where by early 2001, when VE mules began circulating Holden’s Lang Lang proving grounds, Chev-badged Holdens had been sold for several years – the VE was engineered as a large car for international markets – later the foundation for the Chevrolet Camaro.
“So Holden’s aims for VE had to be higher than for the previous series: in fact, with an obvious view to future US market sporting sedans, Holden bench-marked the VE against acknowledged European premiums such as BMW’s 5-series.”
This 2009 HSV GTS was a significant enhancement of the base platform, using the 6.2lt LS3 V8, claiming 325kW, and in this case an auto transmission. Claiming 124,000km on the odo, it’s build number 0220. Muscle Car Warehouse in Sydney has it, priced at $70,000.