2017 Holden HSV GTS-R W1

Time has run out for Australian assembly of Australian cars. Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) ended production of Commodore-based models in 2017.

Outlasting Ford, Holden and Toyota, which have all closed their assembly lines, HSV was the last place in Australia where Australian-made cars were being built.

And, the last great Aussie muscle-car that was “Australia’s Best Driver’s Car of 2017” built on the last Aussie assembly line was the brawny HSV GTSR W1.

The W1 is special for more than just being the end of an era car though. The LSA V8 that powers the rest of the range was swapped out for the fire-breathing 474kW (638hp!) LS9 Supercharged V8. A magical combination of high-rpm-validated lightweight reciprocating parts, titanium intake valves, forged internals and high-flow cylinder heads.

A revised TR6060 Tremec gearbox was also installed plus Supashock suspension as well making the W1 the biggest, beefiest most extreme Aussie muscle car ever made.

It’s essentially a ZR1 Corvette built for the school run.

Although this car pumps out a massive amount of power, it doesn’t dilute its pragmatic approach and there’s plenty of room for five occupants with enough boot space for their gear as well on a long weekend run.

The car offered is Build Number 234 delivered new by CKS Automotive, Pennant Hills in December 2018.

Ordered in the Halo colour- Light My Fire Orange over quilted Alcantara trim and travelled just 1,300 kilometres this as new collector’s edition W1 is accompanied by all of its original documentation, its build certificate, original car cover, carbon fiber keyring and colour coded HSV watch.

The three-dimensional representation of the end of an era, not just the last RWD, Australian produced Holden but the very last of its kind, this true collector’s item is held in rarefied territory.

This True-Blue Australian legend and offers an exceedingly rare opportunity to own an important slice of our motoring history.

Blink and you’ll miss it.