My Muscle Car

Reader: Andrew Hall Muscle car: VL Brock Hometown: Brisbane, QLD What is it? “A HDT SS VL Group A Plus Pack.” When did you buy it? “November 1996.” Why did you buy it? “At the time I wanted a Brock and wasn’t too fussed on any particular model. This car appeared in the ‘Car of the Week’ classifieds of a local paper on the Gold Coast. The ad steered me towards it: ‘one owner, tint, tailored carpet in the boot, sheepskins (since removed), car bra, immobiliser, full service history, etc’. It wasn’t until I got to the dealership to inspect the car that I realised that it was the Brock full signature Plus Pack model. I walked away from the negotiations three times until I got the deal I wanted for my trade-in. So it pays to stick to your guns.” What do you know about its life? “It took part in a couple of Dutton Grand Prix rallies when F1 was still in Adelaide. Also, being a one dealership car makes it unique – it was ordered from HDT in October 1986 and traded back to the same dealer in November 1996. That was Lockhart Holden, now Surfers City Holden. I picked it up only a matter of days after it hit the showroom floor – literally in the showroom as a 10-year-old car! It had 100,000 kays on the clock and I have only added 37,000 in 19 years.” How does it go? “Fantastic! I had the engine out while I was freshening up the engine bay in 2012 and my mechanic Mario – make that Super Mario – suggested I get key components overhauled: radiator, distributor, carby, etc. So she runs crisper now than when I picked her up in ’96.” Anything you would like to add? “I have a factory-option HDT reverse cold air intake. Also a MOMO race wheel, as I am waiting for the original Momo wheel to be re-covered. I am still as passionate about her now as I was19 years ago. I mean Bathurst 1987 will never be far from my thoughts – Brock against the world and the world on his shoulders at the time in a VL. So to own one of the 500 homologation specials is special. And I speak for all Brock owners when I say we still drive today in his honour.”