Fancy a car said to be owned by the legend himself? Brock's white Holden VK Commodore SS Group III goes under the hammer at Shannons' Sydney auction on May 30
It’s been nearly a decade since Australians arrived back from lunch on Friday, September 8, 2006, to learn that motor racing legend Peter Brock had been killed in a crash near Perth, participating in the Targa West rally. Most Aussie car enthusiasts will know that as well as a legendary racing driver Peter was the brawns and brains behind the HDT Special Vehicles, that for most of the 1980s and with Holden’s assistance and approval, developed high-performance versions of Holden’s Commodore for race homologation and high performance road use.
Even before Brock’s death – and before the co-incidental explosion in Australian performance cars – HDT/Brock cars were revered and collectible and that of course continues to this day. So when a Brock-fettled Commodore comes up for sale, there’s always plenty of potential buyers willing to slap down a wad of cash.
So there should be good interest in this white VK Holden Commodore SS Group III.
This car was created at the height of Brock’s (and HDT’s) popularity and success as both a race driver and high performance vehicle manufacturer. In 1984, the Group III was just about the best Aussie performance car you could buy – and at the time pretty much the best-performing car you could buy in Australia, this side of a Porsche.
It’s showing just under 88,000km on its police-spec fine-increment instrument and, according to paperwork provided by the owner, this Group III was Brock’s personal road car. Of greater relevance is the HDT build plate riveted to the under-bonnet plenum area. Numbered 1354 and with a build date of 8/84 it’s sited adjacent to what appears to be an early version of Brocky’s polariser box that was yet to cause so much controversy.
This car’s unusual history goes some way to explaining the fact it doesn’t look exactly like a regular Group III. The car first saw service as a PR and road test unit, appearing on the cover of Wheels magazine in October 1984. Once it came off fleet and HDT took it over, the decision was made to alter its appearance. Among other things, the wheels were changed and the giant bonnet scoop removed.
Standard these cars were fitted with a 196kW version of the 4987cc pushrod bent eight, with a four-speed M21 manual. This car has the optional five-speed T5. The owner says the car is untouched in the mechanical department.
Inside, the Eurovox radio remains in place as is the HDT/Momo steering wheel and left foot rest. The HDT-spec seats are in good condition. Overall the car has some of the wear you might expect for its age. The debate for any new owner will be to either leave it alone or restore it back to new.
The May 30 Sydney auction (see Shannons.com.au) also features a wealth of interesting European and British cars.
Photography: Mark Bean