hsvprez
12-04-2008, 07:24 PM
Brock Commodore is back
Joshua Dowling, The Sydney Morning Herald, April 9, 2008
The spirit of the fallen motor racing hero lives on with a new HDT model, reports JOSHUA DOWLING.
The new 2008 Holden Commodore HDT VE, foreground, the original 1980 Holden Commodore HDT VC, rear.
It may not wear the Bathurst champion's signature on its flanks but this is the closest creation yet to a modern version of a Brock Commodore.
Based on the latest Commodore but designed to look like Brock's first Commodore, right down to the red, white and black stripes, it has been specially built by HDT, which is now in the hands of a new owner and long time friend of Peter Brock.
Peter Champion owns the largest collection of Brock road cars and race cars in Australia. The former coal truck driver and mining contractor has put a lot of his wealth and passion into keeping the memory of Brock alive since the motor racing champion's death in a road rally in September 2006.
Unlike the original Brock Commodores, which are fetching record prices on the muscle-car market, the latest model doesn't come with Holden's blessing and you can't buy one at a Holden dealer.
Customers must buy the car first and take it to HDT for the enhancements. The latest HDT Commodore starts life as a $45,000 SS sedan and customers have the choice of three levels of upgrades, costing $15,000, $25,000 or $40,000 and known as Group One, Group Two and Group Three, a nod to the original Brock road cars.
HDT believes there is a ready market for the vehicles given the rising interest in the muscle-car scene in Australia.
"A lot of people have original Brock Commodores in immaculate condition and are too scared to drive them because they're worth so much," says Darren Gillis, the manager of HDT Sydney. "This way they can drive something that looks like it day-to-day."
The modifications are not covered by a Holden warranty but HDT says it warrants the modifications it makes to the vehicles. "We don't pretend that we're going to take on Holden Special Vehicles but it gives Holden fans an alternative," Gillis says. "We believe we have a comparable package."
Gillis says HDT is driven by passion rather than profit. "Peter Champion has spent millions preserving the HDT brand and creating the museum for little if no return. He's a car guy who is doing what he loves."
Gillis said the muscle-car market had softened slightly but the original Brock Commodores still fetch good money.
"Muscle cars are a bit like real estate," he says. "The market might flatten out from time to time but it won't go backwards."
HDT has about half a dozen prospects for the new car despite people only learning of the resurrection by word of mouth. "We are committed to keeping the HDT brand alive for all the fans who are devoted to their cars and to Peter Brock," he says.
As with the original Brock Commodores, the new HDT vehicles have more power and bigger wheels and tyres than a regular Commodore, with beefed-up styling.
HDT plans to recreate the look of each of the four most famous Brock Commodores, starting with the VC, pictured, and including versions inspired by the VK Group A and VL Group A models from the mid- to late 1980s.
There are no fewer than 26 HDT logos on the latest car, including in the grille, on the seats and the door sills.
Brock sold his HDT business after his split with Holden in 1987. The company was no longer able to be called Holden Dealer Team (which is what the letters originally stood for) but the design of the logo and the acronym was owned by Brock.
Since the acrimonious split, Holden has taken steps to ensure it owns all logos related to its brand, including HSV, which is a separate company even though the vehicles are sold through Holden dealers and covered by a factory warranty.
Champion bought HDT last year and has plans to open HDT centres in most Australian capitals.
http://yahoo.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=51062&vf=12
Joshua Dowling, The Sydney Morning Herald, April 9, 2008
The spirit of the fallen motor racing hero lives on with a new HDT model, reports JOSHUA DOWLING.
The new 2008 Holden Commodore HDT VE, foreground, the original 1980 Holden Commodore HDT VC, rear.
It may not wear the Bathurst champion's signature on its flanks but this is the closest creation yet to a modern version of a Brock Commodore.
Based on the latest Commodore but designed to look like Brock's first Commodore, right down to the red, white and black stripes, it has been specially built by HDT, which is now in the hands of a new owner and long time friend of Peter Brock.
Peter Champion owns the largest collection of Brock road cars and race cars in Australia. The former coal truck driver and mining contractor has put a lot of his wealth and passion into keeping the memory of Brock alive since the motor racing champion's death in a road rally in September 2006.
Unlike the original Brock Commodores, which are fetching record prices on the muscle-car market, the latest model doesn't come with Holden's blessing and you can't buy one at a Holden dealer.
Customers must buy the car first and take it to HDT for the enhancements. The latest HDT Commodore starts life as a $45,000 SS sedan and customers have the choice of three levels of upgrades, costing $15,000, $25,000 or $40,000 and known as Group One, Group Two and Group Three, a nod to the original Brock road cars.
HDT believes there is a ready market for the vehicles given the rising interest in the muscle-car scene in Australia.
"A lot of people have original Brock Commodores in immaculate condition and are too scared to drive them because they're worth so much," says Darren Gillis, the manager of HDT Sydney. "This way they can drive something that looks like it day-to-day."
The modifications are not covered by a Holden warranty but HDT says it warrants the modifications it makes to the vehicles. "We don't pretend that we're going to take on Holden Special Vehicles but it gives Holden fans an alternative," Gillis says. "We believe we have a comparable package."
Gillis says HDT is driven by passion rather than profit. "Peter Champion has spent millions preserving the HDT brand and creating the museum for little if no return. He's a car guy who is doing what he loves."
Gillis said the muscle-car market had softened slightly but the original Brock Commodores still fetch good money.
"Muscle cars are a bit like real estate," he says. "The market might flatten out from time to time but it won't go backwards."
HDT has about half a dozen prospects for the new car despite people only learning of the resurrection by word of mouth. "We are committed to keeping the HDT brand alive for all the fans who are devoted to their cars and to Peter Brock," he says.
As with the original Brock Commodores, the new HDT vehicles have more power and bigger wheels and tyres than a regular Commodore, with beefed-up styling.
HDT plans to recreate the look of each of the four most famous Brock Commodores, starting with the VC, pictured, and including versions inspired by the VK Group A and VL Group A models from the mid- to late 1980s.
There are no fewer than 26 HDT logos on the latest car, including in the grille, on the seats and the door sills.
Brock sold his HDT business after his split with Holden in 1987. The company was no longer able to be called Holden Dealer Team (which is what the letters originally stood for) but the design of the logo and the acronym was owned by Brock.
Since the acrimonious split, Holden has taken steps to ensure it owns all logos related to its brand, including HSV, which is a separate company even though the vehicles are sold through Holden dealers and covered by a factory warranty.
Champion bought HDT last year and has plans to open HDT centres in most Australian capitals.
http://yahoo.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=51062&vf=12