COMMODORE COLLECTION COMMANDEERS $307,000 FOR CHARITY

HOLDEN'S HEAVY HITTERS

BIDDING WAS intense at the charity auction held by Manheim Auctions for the last three Commodores to roll off Holden’s Elizabeth (SA) production line, days before the plant fell dormant.

Billed as the ‘The Commodore Collection’ three limited-edition models, a Director V8 auto sedan, Motorsport Edition V8 auto sedan and Magnum V8 auto ute made up the unique trio, promoted as a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure a unique slice of Aussie motoring history.

The Director achieved a sizeable $130,000, the Motorsport Edition saw the hammer fall at $93,000 and the Magnum attracted a total of $84,000.

In addition to the sale of the trio, Holden also donated a further $500,000 to the Smith Family charity to help educate children in need. The Lighthouse Foundation, a charity supporting the homeless and represented by Beverly Brock, received $65,000 from the sale of the Director.

All three of the final Commodore batch featured the flagship drivetrain – the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 engine coupled to a six-speed auto transmission.

While the sedans received driver-changeable Magnetic ride control suspension, the Magnum ute got trackfocused FE3 suspension for the first time.

Ballarat local Jamie Lockett drove to Elizabeth for the auction and was delighted to secure the Motorsport Edition #5.

“To now own the number five of the late Peter Brock, the king of the mountain, now that is a piece of history to own,” Lockett said.

Michael Steinborner, from nearby Gawler, the winning bidder for the Magnum said, ”I’ve been a Holden fan for decades and love utes, to own the last limited-edition Magnum is incredible.”

Blending performance and luxury and claimed as the most advanced Commodore ever made, the Director featured performance seats, Brembo brakes, 20-inch staggered wheels and lowprofile tyres.

It had the unique build number of 05 as a tribute to the original Director and its creator, the late Peter Brock.

The Motorsport celebrates Holden’s 460 Touring Car and V8 Supercar victories and came with a range of styling enhancements. Red DRL surrounds, red mirror scalps and unique red lined 20-inch forged alloy wheels, along with Motorsport Edition graphics.

Fittingly it also carried the 05-build number.

Leaving by the tradies door, the Magnum ute earned the title of the quickest and best equipped Holden ute ever and combined technologies and features in a signature vehicle that we will never see again.

The celebrations included the Holden Dream Cruise which featured a street parade of Australian-made Holden cars – led by the first and last cars built in Australia by Holden, a 1948 48/215 and a 2017 VF Commodore.

There were also car displays, entertainment, and a Show ‘n’ Shine competition

This event brought together Holden customers, enthusiasts, employees and locals to celebrate the brand's achievements, place in Australian society, and its exceptional Australian-made products.