1988 HSV VL SS Group A Walkinshaw Build No.174 ... (SOLD)

Now for sale this immaculate VL SS Group A Walkinshaw, located in our Sydney Showroom.

Talk about a hard act to follow. HSV was asked to step into some pretty big shoes following the amazing run Peter Brock had had with the development of the HDT brand and his sale successes with the VC, VH and VK Brock Commodores. Into this arena Tom Walkinshaw and his team stepped up to the plate with an extra ordinary car. The 1988 HSV VL SS Group A ‘Walkinshaw’. The Plastic Pig to some. A work of art to others.

Which ever side of the fence you fall, there is no doubting that the Panorama Silver Commodore is a very special and highly collectable Australian motor car. Built to homologate the Holden VL Commodore Group A race car following the dissolution of the Holden Dealer Team in 1987, the Walky was the first car to roll out of Tom Walkinshaw Racing's newly formed Holden Special Vehicles operation in Melbourne. 500 Walkinshaws were commissioned by Holden, which eventually rose to 750 to satisfy demand.

Australians had never seen anything like this before. Following extensive wind tunnel testing in the UK the Walkinshaw was fitted with aerodynamic spoilers and body panels that were said to reduce drag by over 25 per cent from the 1987 HDT SS Group A Commodore.

Things got really exciting under the bonnet. The Aussie 4.9 Litre V8, (4987cc) reduced from 5 litres to conform to Group A rules in '85, was developed by HSV primarily for the race car and then softened ever so slightly to suit the Walkinshaw’s street usage with the new injected V8 good for 180kW at 5200rpm and 380Nm at 4000rpm. The engine specifications read like a full performance parts catalogue and as it's first project for Holden, it’s safe to say that HSV left no stone unturned. This was also the first Holden V8 to feature electronic fuel injection, designed with a custom plenum and twin throttle-body intakes for better breathing and outright performance.

While this gave the VL Group A a distinctive, breathy, soundtrack, the hardware sat higher than the standard bonnet line, making the huge vented intake on the front of the Walky functional as well as distinctive.

Mated to this superb engine is a T-5 5 speed Borg-Warner gearbox that works beautifully delivering a truly unique and inspiring driving experience.

For sale is this original and unmolested two owner HSV Group A Walkinshaw Build No. 174. This is a well preserved example that has had an exterior re-paint approximately 18 years ago and features the all original interior and engine bay. Originally delivered by Sundell Holden, Gordon in Sydney, the car comes with the Dealer Folder, original owners log books and extensive service history. This Walkinshaw is in excellent original condition and has covered a genuine 90,911 kilometres from new. Open the bonnet and those wonderous twin throttle bodies, cold air induction, roller rockers, factory stickers and markings are all there.

The interior is in excellent condition throughout with minor wear to the driver's seat bolster only. The seat material, carpets, and map pockets are all in very good original condition.

The car appears to have never been damaged or repaired and there is nil rust and the front spoiler is supplied but not fitted. The factory air conditioning needs a regas and the original radio is still fitted. A new electric aerial is supplied but is not fitted. The car is fitted with KMAC adjustable front struts.

The beauty of the homologation special Commodores is that like the earlier Toranas and Monaros, these Group A Commodores aren't far removed from the competition version, so famously finished in the black and white Holden Racing Team livery.

That is why Walkinshaw values continue to skyrocket from their original $45,500 retail price cementing the VL as a desirable part of an increasingly collectible Australian ‘garage’.

Current owner for last 17 years. Full NSW Registration until May, 2022 with plates HSV 88G included for NSW buyer. For your inspection in our Sydney Showroom. (Ref: 5870)

We are happy to arrange a video inspection of the car using WhatsApp. Please call for more details and note Enclosed Door to Door transport is available anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

If you have a quality muscle or classic car you wish to list or have valued please give us a call at AMCS. Our team is passionate about the cars we sell and we will be delighted to assist you in achieving an excellent sales result.