HSV GTSR W1 hits the used market – at $300k

Opportunistic HSV GTSR W1 owners have already begun trying their luck on the used car market, advertising highly-prized examples before they have even reached showrooms.

Two 474kW LS9-powered W1s had been advertised on Carsales with a circa 100 per cent markup – one for $299,999, the other for $320,000. (Since this story appeared those cars have now disappeared from the site.) Those prices are considerably up on the vehicle’s already-exorbitant $170,000 (plus on-road costs) new car sticker price, verifying the Commodore-based juggernaut as a genuine modern classic.

Speaking with motoring.com.au, HSV spokesman Damon Paull said there was little HSV could do to stop individual profiteering.

“We sell vehicles to dealers who sell them to customers. We’ve encouraged our dealers to consider to reward the customers who’ve been loyal to them,” he said.

Selling a ‘build number’ is common practice in today’s new vehicle market. It is especially prevalent where limited production is in place, as seen on recent examples including the Porsche 911 R.

The W1 has been deemed HSV’s greatest homegrown effort, lauded by the press and attracting almost unprecedented interest from enthusiasts.

The W1 - along with many other last-hurrah HSV, Holden and Ford models  - has been earmarked by valuation experts as potential future earner.

Production of the W1 began in April and will continue through to September. Paull confirmed that owner vehicles were yet to be shipped to dealers.

Meantime, Paull confirmed that “only four or five” more HSV GTS models were due to roll through the factory before the nameplate is set to be put into retirement.

The lead timing and structure of HSV's Victorian manufacturing operations means that the GTS-R could become the last 'ground-up' vehicle to be built and delivered in Australia. You can only imagine the speculation around that car's value.