A rare HSV VS GTS-R is expected to top half a million dollars when it goes under the hammer this weekend.
Only 75 of these cars were built for Australia and 10 for New Zealand back in the Nineties, priced from $76,000 and powered by a 215kW/475Nm stroked 5.7-litre V8.
For $10,000 more, you could have the V8 blueprinted which yielded another 15kW of power and 30Nm of torque.
Only three blueprinted cars were also fitted with an optional sunroof and this is one of them.
Of the trio, build #1 sold for $1 million last year and the second one fetched $700,000 with 5000km on the clock, said Lloyds Lee Haimes who is auctioning the car.
To go with the higher output V8, the car was fitted with a Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission because the five-speed used in Holdens and 5.0-litre HSVs was not robust enough.
Core GTS models were assembled at Holden’s Elizabeth plant, but had to be shipped to HSV in Melbourne where the five-speed was swapped for a six-speed box.
GTS-R also came with a Hydratrak ‘traction control’ limited slip rear diff.
Manufactured by BTR Engineering, the innovative diff used viscous fluid acting on ramped plates to limit wheelspin.
In operation, it was smoother and more progressive than a normal LSD.
GTS-R was available only in the polarising bright yellow XU-3 Yellah with carbon fibre inserts and large rear wing,
As it was similar to the colour of Melbourne taxis, the car became the butt of jokes by Ford followers.
The 1996 VS Series II introduced HSV’s “Integrated Security System” (ISS) as standard, which featured an immobiliser and different electronics configuration for each car produced in an effort to deter theft.
The car going to auction this Saturday, December 17 is build #14, a 1996 model with 67,000km on the clock.
However, it has been stored in its own temperature controlled Carcoon and Lloyds says it presents in excellent condition inside and out.
The car and compendium have been personally signed by HSV’s John Harvey, with all receipts since purchase, plus the original GTS-R jacket that came with the car.
“This is the third and final vehicle and is set to reach bids exceeding half a million dollars as the kilometres on the clock are a little higher,” Hames said.
You can view the 1996 HSV VS GTS-R here.
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