1996 HSV VS GTS-R

If there could be only one car to represent the HSV brand, in all its mentally deranged glory, this would be it. The ultimate HSV — a ’roided-up mutation of the already-impressive HSV VS GTS. The GTS-R pulled no punches, ostentatiously draped in ‘XU3 Yellah’ paint, with a massive rear wing, no-nonsense carbon-fibre accents, and those lurid GTS-R decals. The mechanical underpinnings more than backed up the unrestrained aesthetics, with a stroked Holden 5.7-litre V8 generating a quoted 215kW (288hp), backed by a BorgWarner T56 six-speed manual. The HSV-tuned suspension, big brake package, and Hydratrak viscous LSD rear gave the driving dynamics of a refined, streetable V8 supercar. What you’re looking at here is a real-deal GTS-R owned by HSV connoisseur Jarrod Knight, and it is in immaculate condition, with just over 20,000km on the odometer. Jarrod knows what he’s got, too. “They only made 85 GTS-Rs, and New Zealand got 10. There are four left, and the other three are not optioned cars,” he explains. “One has done around 90,000km, one has around 70,000km, and the other has around 60,000km.” Jarrod is the GTS-R’s fifth owner, and, with the exception of the battery, his car is exactly as it left the factory. “It’s still on the original Bridgestone Expedia tyres, although they’re a bit hard now!” he says. “It’s even got the factory exhaust, which is pretty rare, as big-bore exhausts were readily available when these were new.” The GTS-R is Jarrod’s dream car; he actually sold a few of his other HSVs so that he’d make more use of it. As it turned out, the GTS-R still spends most of its time sitting pretty in the garage, emerging only for special occasions — probably not a bad thing, as it isn’t getting any less rare, making it all the more special when it does emerge from hibernation.