2003 HSV VY GTO

When Holden revealed its VT-based Holden coupe concept in 1998, it was onto a winner. Based on the then-new VT platform, and wearing understatedly handsome lines, the concept was fast-tracked to production as a result of massively favourable public response and culminated in the VX-based Holden Monaro released in 2001. As with many of their fellow HSV owners, it’s no coincidence that Gavin and Karen Smith own their 2003 HSV VY GTO. “We really like the Monaro shape,” Gavin explains. They’ve owned this one for around seven years, and it’s in remarkable condition for what it is. The pair came across the car by pure fluke. “We had looked at another one that we were keen on, but someone else bought it before we could,” Karen says. “We kept searching and found this one instead, and it’s in better condition than the other one was, so it worked out in the end.” While the car’s in great nick, don’t think the couple are afraid to put their own touch on it. The factory GM 5.7-litre LS1 V8 has gained an Xair over-the-radiator cold-air intake — good for both an improvement in induction noise and a power bump over the factory 260kW (349hp).