Brock Commodore #001 on P1 at Shannons Sydney Winter Auction
• Very collectible pre-production Brock Commodore
• Chrysler Charger E38 R/T ‘Big Tank’ in cosmetically original condition
The first prototype of what became a legion of famous ‘Brock’ HDT Commodores is already on ‘Pole Position’ with Holden enthusiasts before it crosses the block at Shannons Sydney Winter Auction on August 10.
Starting life as a 1979 Holden VB Commodore SL/E, the two-tone Malachite and Sage Green sedan was given to the Holden Dealer Team for racing legend Peter Brock to develop into a sophisticated, high-powered road car to challenge the best from Europe.
Brock and his HDT team totally transformed the car and given its high-performance brief, the car’s original 4.2-litre V8 was replaced with a 5.0-litre V8 mated to a Turbo 350 three-speed automatic transmission, while this was matched to a bigger rear end housing with limited-slip differential.
To ensure that the HDT Commodore was a BMW beater, its engine was suitably warmed-over and the suspension uprated with Bilstein shock absorbers, while distinctive German-sourced Irmscher wheels, two-tone paintwork and a full body kit completed the conversion from family car to Bahn-stormer.
By the time the HDT prototype was completed, the original VB Commodore had given way to the VC, so the grille and taillights of production models were suitably updated although the prototype uniquely retains its original VB side mouldings.
As a result, this unique Commodore has a very special place in the history of the Holden Dealer Team and Peter Brock in particular.
The current owner's long-lasting relationship with the car dates back to 1982, when he was employed at Les Vagg Holden in Pennant Hills, one of the founding HDT dealers.
While racing at Sydney’s Amaroo Park in August that year, Peter Brock and John Harvey left ‘001’ with the Vagg dealership to be sold on their behalf and the current owner was the sales person responsible for the sale to a mate's stepfather.
Eleven years later he bought the car back and subsequently carried out a total restoration over an extended 15-year period. This included an engine rebuild and repaint in the original two-tone colour combination using correct two-pack paint.
Amongst the extensive documentation included with the car is a Certificate of Authenticity from HDT confirming the car as the original 'VB HDT Prototype' along with all numbers (including the engine change), several magazine articles featuring the car and more.
Because of its unique place in both HDT and Brock history, Shannons expect this very special Commodore to sell in the $85,000-$95,000 range.
For Australian Chrysler/Mopar enthusiast, there is a very desirable ‘Big Tank’ Charger R/T E38 in Shannons Sydney Winter Auction.
Finished in the model’s trademark ‘Hot Mustard’, the Charger was delivered in 1971 fitted with the model’s top-performance ‘Bathurst spec’ consisting of its triple Weber carburetor 265-cid straight six engine, three-speed manual gearbox and the optional long distance ‘Big Tank’ – the form in which the original Chargers competed against their Ford and Holden arch-rivals at Mt. Panorama in the era.
However after being acquired by the current owner in 1997, the gearbox was upgraded to the four-speed manual transmission fitted to later model E49 ‘Bathurst’ Chargers, while it was fitted with a newly-rebuilt genuine E38 engine in April last year.
While not a ‘matching numbers’ car, which would greatly enhance its collectible and sale value, the E38 being auctioned is a very attractive, well-presented and quite original car in all other resects, according to Shannons.
At its estimated $70,000-$80,000 guiding range it will offer Charger enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the full pleasure and charisma of E38 ownership for a much more realistic price than a totally original car would command.
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