Paul Halstead’s HAL Monaro 427 – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 23.10.2020

2009 Melbourne Motor Show display vehicle, blueprinted supercharged 427ci Corvette V8, need funds for W16 Giocattolo

Paul Halstead became known throughout Australia’s motoring community for a number of things, amongst which were supplying Ford V8s to De Tomaso in Italy; his wild Pantera-based ‘White Panther’ racecar that went undefeated in Australian GT and of course, Giocattolo - the 1980s all-Australian supercar.

A number of years ago, he hinted that he was busy working on the next generation of Giocattolo: a W16-powered central driver seater he calls the Hyperod.

Halstead describes it as the "ultimate expression of the naturally aspirated engine"; powered by two 427ci (7.0lt) big-block GM engines joined by an alloy bridge, each rotated at 45 degrees, and promising over 1000kW combined.

But to build something like that, of course, isn’t cheap.

So, he’s clearing out some toys, including his wild supercharged and blueprinted 427-powered Monaro as it appeared at the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show.

The metallic blue coupe began life as a black HSV VZ GTO and was purchased brand new by Halstead.

Over the next ten years, the car was completely disassembled, chopped, smoothed, tubbed and reinforced; with every panel massaged in steel to create a visually imposing concept-like presence.

The supercharged and intercooled big-block is fitted with a Harrop supercharger and billet dry sump system. A carbon clutch and Eaton Tru-track LSD send the power rearward, while AP brakes and Ohlins gas dampers do the stopping and turning.

In addition to having being displayed at the Melbourne Motor Show, the widebody Monaro has also featured as a Street Machine magazine cover car and centre spread, as well as being awarded Top Custom at Summernats.

Halstead’s Monaro is based in Melbourne and will be sold registered and roadworthy. It’s listed for $295,000.

You can view the full listing here!

And follow the progress on the Giocattolo Hyperod on Facebook here.

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