1988 HSV VL Group A Walkinshaw – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 04.04.2019

#388 of 750, and 1 of 9 with rare factory Calais front. Genuine 81,424kms

There are a few Aussie hero cars that need no introduction; chief amongst which is the VL Walkinshaw.

We won’t bother telling you what you already know, but it let us remind you that, when the car launched, it was met with disgust. Outrageously different to the enthusiasm and excitement that these cars draw today.

"Plastic pig" it was called, thanks to the wild and polarising styling that was tested in the MIRA wind tunnel in the UK, and made by Bolwell in Melbourne.

It wasn’t meant to be pretty, but with a 30 percent reduction in drag and improved downforce – it did its job.

Ultimately, the 500 initially produced for international homologation sold so quick that HSV had to churn out another 250.

What makes this one special is that it’s one-of-nine that came from factory with a Calais front.

They were not individualised within the build numbers (this one is #388), or via the VINs – and some of them wore the full Group A body kit, and some looked more akin to the SV88.

The car shows a genuine 81,424kms from new, and the homologation-spec 180kW 5.0lt and T5 gearbox are all original and unmodified. The interior presents as excellent and the glovebox has been signed by Tom Walkinshaw.

The exterior has been repainted in its original Panorama Silver hue, with 2 Pak paint back in 2018.

Overall, it’s an incredibly rare variation of a hugely popular Aussie hero.

The car is based in Western Australia and is listed for $140,000.

You can check out the full listing here!

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