V8 Holdens fetch big money at auction

Numerous V8-powered Holden sedans have attracted big dollars at auction as values of Australian-built cars continue to climb.

A 1971 twin-turbocharged V12 Jaguar XJS formerly owned by the late media mogul Kerry Packer also managed to fetch $217,000 during a nine-hour auction staged by Lloyds last weekend, which was shifted to an online sale at the 11th hour due to snap COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland.

A host of Holdens attracted serious dough during the event, including a 1990 HSV VN SS Group A SV (build #002 of 302) which attracted a top bid of $341,000 during the auction and is currently in negotiations for a final sale price.

Elsewhere, a 1988 Holden Commodore VL Walkinshaw Group A SS grabbed $250,000, and more recent vehicles including a 2017 HSV GTSR with 323km on its odometer fetched a top bid of $255,000.

An EL Ford Falcon driven by Glenn Seton in the 1997 Australian Touring Car Championship failed to meet the reserve after being passed in at $520,000.

However, “negotiations between the top bidder and the vendor should see it sold over the next seven days”, according to Lloyds.

Another notable inclusion was the sale of Russel Ingall’s 2000 Perkins Engineering Holden Commodore VT race car, which attracted an unreserved bid of $545,000.

Packer’s V12-powered Jaguar XJS, which was modified to produce 895kW only to be destroyed by fire and later rebuilt to its former glory, is said to be a new record for an XJS.

The value of rare Australian-built vehicles has continued to climb in recent months.

In June, a 1977 Holden Torana A9X fetched more than $800,000 as lockdowns and an extended travel bubble appear to supercharge our fascination with locally-built metal.

Last weekend’s Lloyds auction is available to view in its entirety here.