1979 Holden HZ Repco Reliability Trial HDT Support Panel Van - 308 V8

1979 Repco Reliability Trial Around Australia Marlboro HDT HZ Holden Support Panel Van FOR SALE. Three HZ Holden Panel Vans were specially ordered to support the HDT's VB Commodore rally cars participating in the 1979 Repco Around Australia Reliability Trial. Only one of the three MARLBORO/HDT Panel vans survives to this day. This irreplaceable piece of Australian Motor Racing history is now for sale from our Sydney Showroom.

The 1979 Round Australia Repco Reliability Trial was designed as a grueling 20,000 Kilometre race over 14 days circumnavigating Australia across sand, dirt, rocks and mud. Peter Brock eventually won the race with VB Commodores taking first, second and third places ahead of an international cast and crew.

The three HZ Holden support Panel Vans followed the racing cars around the country carrying spare engine parts, gearboxes and tyres amongst other things to ensure that the VB Commodores could complete the task at hand. Two of these vans met with disaster. One hit a camel at close to 100mph, while the other broke its back crossing a culvert at high speed.

The HZ Panel Vans were specially ordered by GMH through the Holden Pagewood Service Garage. Each of the three Panel Vans was specially ordered by HDT team boss George Sheppard to ensure their ability to handle the around Australia event. Each car was fitted with the 308 V8 motor, M41 Turbo 350 automatic gearbox and the 3.08:1 Limited Slip Differential. In addition, Sheppard ticked the box for tinted windows, steering wheel lock, Heavy Duty Suspension, Super Lift Shock Absorbers, a Heavy Duty Radiator, Bucket Seats and special tyres to cope with the rugged rally terrain.

The subject of a 13-year restoration project by then owner Alan Keen, the HZ Panel Van has been restored to near new condition paying particular attention to retaining any of the modifications made by Sheppard and his HDT Rally Crew. For example the restoration retains items like the hole above the driver door that looked like it was drilled for a wiring loom; welding at odd points in the chassis where it’s been strengthened or had bash plates added; heavy duty suspension front and rear and lots of things you just wouldn’t do to a normal panel van. Sheppard and his crew had to ensure that the vans could handle the rough roads and maintain speeds of up to 160km/h all day with their heavy loads on board.

Keen tried to keep as much of the original gear as possible while giving the Panel Van a complete restoration. Interestingly, all the original chrome has been retained, some of it still showing stone damage from the 1979 event. The entire original driveline has been thoroughly rebuilt. The interior is totally original and in excellent condition reflecting the genuine 80,345 KILOMETRES the Panel Van has covered from new. It also comes with the original GMH ownership documentation, log books, a Holden ad featuring these bullet proof Panel Vans plus a feature story in Motor Magazine.

Keen was also able to track down Wayne King who was employed by Brock and HDT to hand sign write the HDT race cars. He had King sign write the freshly restored HZ with the same signage he brush painted the Panel Van in 1979. The Panel Van also comes with Repco memorabilia including the Repco T-Shit and Jackets worn by the competitors.

Many items were especially hard to find including a good set of Cibie Oscar driving lights for the front and the two work lights for the luggage rack. The roof rack was a story in itself. Keen managed to find someone who had the original schematics. So he had the rack remade and it mounted straight into the ready made holes in the drip rails. Ready to go around again, the Panel Van is fitted with Bridgestone Dueler A/T tyres.

Originally registered in NSW with the plates - KGB 693, Keen registered the car in Victoria with the same plate combo and yellow and black colouring to match the original.

An important piece of Australian motor racing history, the sole remaining HDT support vehicle and a true survivor of the grueling Around Australia Repco Reliability challenge, this HZ Panel Van is a treasure that has luckily been preserved for future generations to appreciate our once rich motor racing heritage. Certainly an amazing find for any Holden, HDT or motor racing enthusiast.

In our Sydney Showroom for your inspection. (Ref. 6548)

And if you like AMCS will gladly arrange a video inspection/road test of the car using WhatsApp and of course there is no issue with door to door freight delivery anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

Call Mike on 0414 278 604 or Nick on 0499 577 997 and let us assist you with your inquiries. Also please note if you have a quality Muscle or Classic car you wish to list or have valued please give us a call at AMCS, we will be happy to assist you.