Early HSV Commodores available in new Slattery auction

Hot on the heels of their HSV GTSR auction in South Australia, Slattery Auctions & Valuations have two more desirable Aussie performance classics in their Queensland auction.

Running from 6 to 17 October, the auction includes an HSV VL SS Group A SV ‘Walkinshaw’ and an HSV VN SS Group A SV. The latter is particularly interesting, not only for being the last homologation special build by Holden/HSV to take the Commodore racing in Group A competition, but also for its unique exterior finish.

While Holden Special Vehicles was created in 1987 as a joint venture between Holden and Tom Walkinshaw Racing, the first car to wear the now famous badge arrived in 1988 and was a radical departure – at least in terms of appearance - from anything created by Peter Brock’s HDT operation that HSV replaced.

The extensive bodykit on the first HSV, the VL Commodore-based SS Group A, was contentious at the time, but it was all about making the Commodore more aerodynamic on the track. And as Group A homologation required 500 cars to be built in order to race, those same body add-ons had to be fitted to the road cars.

Following the SS Group A, HSV released the SV88 and six-cylinder-engined FL20 on the VL Commodore platform, as well as the SV1800 based on the Astra hatch. 

The switch to the VN platform in 1989 saw the HSV range expand, with the ClubSport introduced alongside SV3800 and SV5000 models, with the first Maloo ute introduced, too. Additionally, the VL-spec SV88 was updated to the SV89.

The SS Group A was the top of the heap on the VN platform, though, with its tuned 5.0-litre V8 engine, special aero package and unique wheels. Like the VL SS Group A, the VN version was designed to allow the new Commodore to go racing and would be the last Holden homologation special.

HSV moved onward and upward after this, adding Statesman-based models, station wagons and even a hot version of the Isuzu-based Jackaroo 4x4.

Although the last Australian production-based HSV was built in 2018, interest remains to this day and has seen both early and late models sell for high prices at auction.

To see both early HSVs in this auction, click HERE.

1988 HSV VL Commodore SS Group A

Officially, the first HSV wasn’t an HSV. It was formally known as the Holden VL Commodore SS Group A SV and carried no HSV identification (the SV88 was the first to be so identified).

These details aside, the car that HSV released in March, 1988, was soon being referred to as the ‘Walkinshaw Commodore’ or ‘Walky’ and those names have stuck ever since.

Defined by its specially-developed bodykit that improved aerodynamic efficiency by a claimed 25 per cent, the Walkinshaw was based on a stock VL Commodore sedan, powered by a 5.0-litre V8 that introduced electronic fuel injection, new heads and other changes to deliver 180kW and 380Nm, compared to 122kW and 323Nm from this V8 in standard, carburetted form.

To race the new model in Group A, 500 units of the VL SS Group A SV needed to be built. Initial enthusiasm saw that batch sell quickly, leading Holden to commission Walkinshaw to produce an additional 250 units, but these proved to be much harder to sell.

All VL SS Group A SVs were finished in Panorama Silver outside and featured the same grey interior, with contoured sports seats in velour and tweed cloth, as well as sports instruments, a Momo steering wheel and matching gear shift knob amongst the differences over a stock Commodore. The VL SS Group A SV also came with power windows, central locking, air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo cassette sound system, tinted windows and other features as standard that were either optional or unavailable on the base Commodore.

The VL SS Group A SV going to auction with Slatterys is build #242, completed by HSV in July, 1988, and purchased by the Queensland-based vendor in 1990. Usage was limited to occasional club drives only until the early 2010s, after which time the car was taken off the road due to concerns over damage and theft.

Undercover storage since purchase is reflected in the car’s condition today, which includes paint that looks near new, a clean but used engine bay and only a few minor blemishes on the fibreglass bodywork.

Mechanically, this car is described as having the standard fuel-injected 5.0 V8 and 5-speed manual transmission, with no modifications listed.

Inside, it appears just as good, with the cloth/velour seats still looking fresh and a dashtop seemingly unaffected by sun damage. Some wear is evident on items like the steering wheel, shift knob, seat belt clips, ignition cylinder and switches, but overall, the interior looks good for a 35-year-old car.

An aftermarket Alpine sound system has been fitted (including door speakers and a boot-mounted amp), but whether the original stereo will be included with the sale is unclear.

Listed mileage is 55,787km, which is presumably genuine, but whether any restoration work, repainting or interior retrim has been done by the vendor is unknown.

Bidding on this car starts at $100,000. It will be sold unregistered and as is. View the listing HERE.

1990 HSV VN Commodore SS Group A

HSV launched their VN-based range in August, 1988, even before production of the VL models had been completed.

The SV3800 was the first HSV on the all-new VN platform, followed by the SV89, SV5000 and the first Statesman-based model. Various short-run specials followed, with the ClubSport making its debut as an entry-level model in mid-1990.

The SS Group A SV came later in the same year, and like the VL SS Group A SV before it, was an homologation special to allow the VN Commodore to go racing in Group A competition.

The VN shape needed fewer additional pieces to make it slipperier at speed, so the bodykit was far less radical, but still included bespoke bumpers, a grille insert, side skirts and rear wing.

While the V8 engine was of the same capacity as that used on the VL SS Group A, HSV wound the power up from 180kW and 380Nm to 215kW and 411Nm. This was achieved through special pistons conrods and crankshaft, a high-flow intake ports and injectors, a revised camshaft, roller rockers and revised exhaust system, amongst other changes.

While the engine was altered, the bigger change was to the transmission, which was updated to a six-speed of the same type used on the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1. This was the only transmission available for the VN SS Group A SV and included a heavy-duty clutch and LSD.

Suspension was upgraded with ‘Group A’ Bilstein dampers and modified strut mountings, while heavy-duty ventilated disc brakes were added.

Being based on a VN Berlina meant a better standard of interior trim to complement the HSV-specific additions that included sports seats, a Momo steering wheel, upgraded instruments and remote-control alarm system. Other standard interior fittings included a ‘premium’ sound system, air conditioning, rear seat reading lights, remote boot release and power mirrors.

While Group A homologation required 500 units of the VN SS Group A to be built, only 302 were actually produced. Despite not meeting the homologation requirement, CAMS gave special dispensation for the cars to race, ensuring Holdens remained on the Australian Touring Car Championship grid.

Confusingly, while production of the VN SS Group A was numbered, it wasn’t sequential, so several cars carried numbers above 302, including the car featured, which is #466.

The Slattery listing for this car states that it was a prize in a Castrol competition at Bathurst in 1990, which could explain its two-tone exterior. This was not available on cars released to the public, all of which were finished in Durif Red. Two cars were finished in black for a Toohey’s promotion at Bathurst in 1990, with another two painted white for HSV executives.

Listed mileage is 30,035km and the car appears original inside, outside and in the engine bay.

Bidding on this car starts at $100,000. It will be sold unregistered and as is. View the listing HERE.

The Slattery Auctions’ HSV classics online auction opens from 12:00 Noon on Friday, 6 October, and closes at 7:30PM on Tuesday, 17 October (AEST). For more details, click HERE.