From The Classifieds: 1996 HSV GTS-R
Bewinged, bold and brash, HSV’s original GTS-R was an acquired taste that has become a collector market darling as manufacturing ceasesFrom The Classifieds
1996 HSV GTS-R
As the years inexorably sneak past, people paying six figures for a slice of Holden history have become more commonplace.
But while Bathurst-heritage Monaros and Toranas long ago struck ‘The Ton’ in collector markets, it’s a relatively new phenomenon to see something from the 1990s skyrocketing towards a $200,000 ask. This 1996 HSV VS GTS-R is a case in point.
Of course, it’s understandable that the bewinged ‘XU-3 Yellah’ VS GTS-R should garner fresh attention – after all, the ‘face’ of the well-trodden local manufacturing shut-downs also bears the GTS-R nameplate – but strip away the emotion around Holden’s local demise and there’s a compelling case for the VS becoming a collector’s item, regardless of what followed.
Rank taxi?
Despite its current-day collectability, the HSV GTS-R legend suggests far humbler beginnings. Although denied by key HSV insider Marty Watt, some like to suggest the GTS-R’s outlandish hue was the result of HSV lucking into a batch of unsold Victorian taxi-spec Commodore body shells, going cheap…
It wasn’t just the colour that was in your face, as the GTS-R gained a V8 Supercar-inspired, centrally-mounted rear wing, complete with carbon-fibre endplates.
Indeed, carbon trims – the result of a joint venture between the CSIRO and HRT – were liberally used for the GTS-R. The exotic material features on the front and rear fascias, side skirts and the centre caps for the black 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the outlandish theme continued with carbon-look console trims, yellow stitching and garish GTS-R graphics on the monogrammed door and seat trims, designed by long-time Jaguar designer Ian Callum.
Mechanically based on the already-accomplished HSV GTS, the 1996 HSV GTS-R housed the most impressive version of the Australian-made Holden V8 engine ever built.
Stroked from 5.0 litres to 5.7, this engine produced 215kW at 4800rpm and a stout 475Nm at 3600rpm.
Hooked up to a six-speed manual and Australian-designed fluid coupling ‘Hydratrak’ limited-slip differential, Ford’s ED Falcon XR8 range wouldn’t see which way it went… if it wasn’t so yellow.
Priced in Australia at $76,000, only 85 VS GTS-Rs were built including one prototype, with production split 75 for Australia and nine for New Zealand.
Not all were created equal. If you had another $10,500 burning a hole in your wallet you could specify the ‘HRT Optimised’ engine specification, denoted by a Holden Racing Team sticker on the front quarters and creating a further link between road car and race team.
Direct from HSV’s press release, the HRT Optimisation consisted of the following:
>> Linish crankshaft
>> Set main and big-end bearing clearances
>> Hone cylinder block and set piston clearances
>> Machine and square block faces
>> Set piston heights.
>> Balance combustion chamber volumes
>> Set compression ratio to 8.85:1
>> Balance rods and pistons and dynamically balance crankshaft assembly
>> Re-cut valve seats with 3 angles
>> Grind and re-profile valves
>> Computer check all camshaft lobes for lift and duration
>> Time camshaft to optimum
>> Port cylinder heads and match inlet and exhaust manifold ports
>> Provide superflow and dynamometer data sheets
The net result was said to sit somewhere around 230kW and near 500Nm, with the 400m dash completed in the low-14sec bracket.
The Optimised GTS-R was one quick taxi, but even cooler was the enhanced street cred derived by having your own HRT engine number.
The fact your car was tweaked by the same spanners that touched race cars with P. Brock and C. Lowndes on their flanks also helped.
If you had 200K…
According to the classified description, this 1996 HSV VS GTS-R is said to be “one of only 15 or so ever ordered” with the HRT Optimised Engine Option, featuring engine stamp HRT 024.
On top of this it is among the lowest kilometre examples we’ve seen, seemingly purchased as an investment and showing just over 8000km from new.
Many details are correct for the collector, including the original Bridgestone Expedia SO1 tyres measuring 234/45 R17.
The advertisement goes on to describe the shimmer of the seats, the originality of the undercarriage decals and the expansive ‘full presentation’ set that came with the GTS-R when new, including “rally jacket, hat, wallet, key ring, vehicle compendium and log book”.
The $200,000 asking price is steep in the context of previous GTS-R sales (indeed, another is on the Carsales Network for $136,000 with 44,000km), however, the combination of optimised engine, low kilometres and complete originality make it an intriguing prospect for the serious Holden collector.
The question is this: If you could, would you buy this VS or a 2017 GTSR W1 and pocket the $50,000?
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