Rare HSV GTS-R ‘Big Banana’ up for grabs
Sought-after 1996 HSV GTS-R expected to fetch $500K-plus at auction this weekendYet another rare HSV sports sedan looks set to sell for an eye-watering figure this weekend, when an iconic and ultra-rare 1996 HSV GTS-R will go under the hammer.
Expected to sell for at least $500,000 at a Lloyds Auction this Saturday (August 27), the ‘Big Banana’ is build number 11 of just 85 ever built, 75 of which were reserved for Australia, while nine were sent to New Zealand.
Beyond its eye-popping ‘XU-3 Yellah’ paint and eccentric bodywork – which includes a V8 Supercar-inspired rear wing complete with carbon-fibre endplates – the VS Commodore-based GTS-R packs a stroked 215kW/475Nm 5.7-litre V8, six-speed manual transmission and Hydratrak limited-slip differential.
Lloyds says the ‘original condition’ HSV GTS-R, which has just under 50,000km on the odometer, is a true collector’s item that should fetch at least $500K at auction, given another example sold last September for almost double that.
At the time of writing, online bidding had reached $205,000.
“This is an extremely rare Holden,” said Lloyds Auctions chief operations officer, Lee Hames.
“The last time we saw the same model was September last year and we weren’t sure when we would see one again.”
“When we auctioned the GTS-R last year it sold under the hammer for $1,000,000 and we expect that it will happen again with the increase in value of these classic cars,” said Hames.
Proving the VS GTS-R to be an increasingly lucrative investment, another example was advertised on carsales for $200,000 back in 2017.
Much like that one, the next owner of this GTS-R will also get a host of extras, including the original owner’s manual, HSV compendium, two keys and an excellent interior.
Lloyds describes the big yellow sports sedan’s taxi-yellow paintwork as “mostly original”.
The ‘Big Banana’ will be auctioned this weekend alongside more than 300 classic cars, including a 1977 Holden LX Torana SLR 5000, a 1999 Ford AU Falcon ‘Dick Johnson’ replica and a 2017 HSV R8 Maloo 30th Anniversary edition with “just delivery kilometres on the clock”.
“It’s going to be a great weekend with a lot of rare and unique classics going under the hammer that you don’t want to miss,” said Hames.
Haven’t got a mil’ to spare? Check out this GTS-R replica for sale on carsales.
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