HSV GTS 40th and Senator SV08 2008 AIMS
October 9, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
HSV has unveiled two new models at the Australian International Motor with the new 40th Anniversary GTS and Senator Signature SV08.
This launch also marks the introduction of the new TR6060 manual gearbox into the range, which will become standard across the HSV model line-up later this month.
Commemorating 40 years since the first Australian Gran Turismo Sportivo, the special edition GTS is limited to just 100 units which feature black heritage stripes, tyre pressure monitors and a logo embedded on the headrest, brake calliper, sill plate and rear panel of the model.
Priced from $80,170, 40 years of GTS is available in Sting Red and Heron White only.
HSV has also introduced a limited run Senator Signature SV08 with just 20 manual and 30 automatic models priced from $82,700.
The luxury SV08 receives exclusive lower paint-outs, sill plates and additional chrome accenting on the side mirrors and door handles. The 20 inch Pentagon wheel is standard on this model.
The manual SV08 receives the new Tremec TR6060 gearbox and colour options are Nitrate (Silver), Sting Red and Voodoo (Blue).
Print it: 
(Anti-spam word) Same as a normal GTS they copyied the FPV gear box TR6060 manual gear box about time they got rid of there old clunker! but will the engine respond to a faster gear box? Overall looks good.
Same effort as FPV: a badge only limited edition – a total non-event, next!
This is as pitiful as FPV’s effort with the 5th anniversary GT.
MMMMM stickers and plastic do not a ’special edition’ make.
My god not even some LTD carpet mats.. say it aint so.
Nothing on either FPV or HSV LTD’s a dealership couldn’t do. How poor is that?
I’d have thought that a 40th anniversary GTS would be Holden’s call, rather than HSV’s. For a true resonance of history, it should have been offered on a 2 door body. But there isn’t one.
Oh well.
Maybe Holden could pump out a “White Hot” Omega to celebrate 40 years of the so-named limited edition HT. Anyone remember it? A boggo white HT Kingy with vinyl seats, standard hubcaps and a V8. They sold like hot cakes.
For a real nostalgia kick, imagine a white V8 Omega with heritage-cued alloys, red-striped tyres and bright red seats and dash. With tongue well away from cheek, I’d suggest they’d sell like hot cakes all over again.
Indy It was the 40th anniversary GT not the 5th
Im with you Bret ! BFD !
Very ordinary car. Who buys this crap?
Matthew, it’s actually FPV’s 5th year aniversery that’s being pushed. Still at least we know 3m Scotchbrite and some body with a lasercutting sticker business got paid a lot of $$$ by both FPV & HSV…………..
Hey these things sell because they are different to regular models. Albeit just different stickers and at least the FPV 5th Anniversary has embossed logo in headrest:P If they are the same price as a regular model why not get one.
With the large car sector falling faster the a “lead Balloon” It really makes you wonder if this the only way that FPV can move stock? First the 40th Anniversary model, then the Cobra. How many more special edition will there be Mr FPV?
Are these cars really going to command the high prices of their older siblings (IE: GTHO’s) Or is this really just marking Hype?
Just as with the 5th Anniversary FPV I can’t see any point in coming out with a car like this…
Particularly when you consider that when you’re paying $70-80K for a sedan you’re most likely going to be looking for something with a bit of class luxury style and performance
You wouldn’t want your car to have tacky go fast stripes emblazonned down the sides or two tone paint or anything like that because [hopefully] you have out grown the Boy Racer mentality… the only thing missing is a “menu” on the front 1/4 panels; an “ostentacious” veilside bodykit and LED under car lighting
I doubt You’d ever see anything as tacky as this from BMW Audi or Merc-Benz.
Someone’ll have one on carsales in 10 years wanting more than the purchase price because they were duped into believing the car is rare or special. Just like the clowns who try and flog off Grant hackett edition commodores for 5k over redbook value.
The jist of this thread is right on the money. The car is an anticlimax.
I remember the HT Kingswoods you’re talking about Golfie White with Red Vinyl interior.. Teh VE wouldn’t look bad as a retro-tech HT.
Mind you I’ve also seen images of the VE done up to look like a Black HDT VC SL/X and as the Formula Blue HDT VK SS
Hi Wheelnut, how’s Perth shaping up for you?
Golfie – I’m just about packed just the big items like Audio Visual Gear Computer Pool Table and other Furniture to get ready now.
Bavarian Missile is flying over on Saturday arvo. The removalists are here on Monday and then BM & I drive 2000 odd Kms back across “The Bor” in the Subie – to start our new lives together [will be there by the 18th]… I’m really looking forward to it.
Stevo – in a recent issue of Motor they list what they expect to be the top 10 most collectable cars of the future – from the current makes/models available [#1 is the $150K HSV W427] however; they doubt the modern cars will ever reach the same heights as the GTHOs and Monaros
What a waste of time coulpe stickers and woollaa we have a rare collectable . Give me a break thay holden bring out new versions of these just about every few months. The whole commondore range is starting to look dated. I think the new ford is starting to look very fresh beside this car now
The new cars will never reach the same collectabilty because those old cars were the actual same cars that raced. All the new cars now are not raced anymore like in the old days so thay will never be lengends. Untill thay bring back touring cars or group a type car racing thay will never be like the old cars simple as that. The cars thay race now are just made up there all the same holden even run lots ford parts in them its just a controlled formula racing now unfortunatly
its good to see they pulled the “exclusive” wheels off of the 150K W427.
I’d reckon the W427 owners club will be P*ssed
Looks like they went to TRD school of sh1t looking body stripes. Also, if im paying $80K+ for a car, I WANT colour coding! The black down the bottom looks like an FG poverty pack ute!
There’s a midget Indian break dancing body builder on the TV that is more interesting than these cars (FPVs included)!
Just marketing mumbo to shift a few more numbers, don’t need to be Einstein to work that out.
Still, for just a little bit less you could get a TRD HIlux, with a measley pokey 225kw, ridiculous drum rear brakes and awful completely useless handling! Now that’s value for money people!!!!!!
Stav Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 10:43 am
(Anti-spam word) Same as a normal GTS they copyied the FPV gear box TR6060 manual gear box about time they got rid of there old clunker! but will the engine respond to a faster gear box? Overall looks good.
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Firstly dude Holden / HSV were using Tremec gearboxes way before Ford, so don’t even go there (about HSV copying FPV with the new TR6060.) HSV did not have the need to adopt the new TR6060. Also don’t think the TR6060 is light years ahead of the T56 same basic design, same mob aking both boxes. I’ve used both boxes, SWF all in if you ask me.
WTF are you smoking when you say “but will the engine respond to a faster gear box?”. Lol do you even understand the concept of a manual gearbox in a car and what it does? Dude can you change a tyre? or do you call NRMA for that as well? lol Some of the comments on this site from readers really worry me.
The car itself is a little dissapointing, and more of a sticker special rather than anything else. Oh well they have to make a buck somehow.
G’day Wheelnut, Do you have the list of the Top Ten most collectable cars of the future? I’d like to see it. Is the BA GT MKI there? or the XR8 pursuit 250?
BOSSCR Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
There’s a midget Indian break dancing body builder on the TV that is more interesting than these cars
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What channel is that on???? Sounds really good :-)
the front end of the senator is a dead ringer of a BA fairlane, especially the ones that had black at the sill line
What a bunch of losers you are this site is in celebration of the motor vehicle be thankful that we still live in an era where you can purchase a car like the GTS. Perhaps you will be happy when we can celebrate the 40th anniversary of the VOLT.If you dont like reading about great moments in the history of the car F***k off.
Glenn
There’s only two *’s in f**k.
LIES!
HSV… shame!
You have NOT been round for 40 years!!
now, if these cars had holden badges on them….
T – True HSV haven’t been around for 40 years theyve only been available for 20 years 1988-2008
However; if you had read the article you would have found that the 40th Anniversary Model is to celebrate 40 years since the First “Gran Turismo Sportivo” or GTS Monaro was released.. although back in 1968 it was a Holden the GTS name is now being usedd by HOLDEN Special Vehicles which is still essentially a Holden isn’t it?
I mean the HSV 40th Anniverasry Model even has the same racing stripes to indicate that it relates to the Original Bathurst Winning HK GTS Monaro…. Get over it!
what a piece of crap!
GTS couldve done with 15 20 more KWS, same with the GT. Why pay n extra 5 grand when ur gonna get the same gear minus the strips in a mnths time. Pathetic HSV n the W427 should be about 35 grand cheaper, id have a slightly modded FG F6 any day ova that oger
Now with a updated gearbox does that mean there will be a power increase for the 6.2L as previously it was limited by the previous gearbox’s ability to handle the power, was it not?
I went and saw this car today and was plesantly surpised that it can be now purchased for approx 60K drive away with the holden backed factory bonuses (same as standanrsd GTS), not bad considering the clubsport is selling for approx 56K drive away. Yes its only a sticker special, and yes its fundamentally the same as the stock GTS, but it comes to sell down the track, the limited model will be that little bit more sought after than the stock car. Given the fact that it’s now the same price….. why would you buy the stock model even if its only stickers and badging?
hi this a realy cool car nice rims and a good shape!
Hey ho, yes it’s badge/sticker/using up option items engineering – no science, just marketing. The VE LS3 will be replaced soon, so they need to build interest, it just happened to coincide with a depressive market for new motor vehicles, so played into my hands – I got a SV08 manual – 1 of only 20 – for what I think is a bargain & absolutely no where near the RRP quoted. Am under no illusion about it’s appreciation, or depreciation in reality – it may be a little unique (1 of only 20 manual VE Senators), that may help a little in 20 years time, not 4. Speculating what will fetch good money in the distant future is impossible & simple conjecture and why bother ? Unless you have the room & lots of cash, not much point discussing it really. At least we can buy something like this !
Mind you, as the W427 has now been reduced to a build of only 200 – that is a good buy & it will appreciate. But then so will an imported & RH converted ZR1 !
A C63 or an M3 will not be as pricey in 20 years time, but an R35 GTR will.
I just wonder how many of you own or at the very least driven the HSV GTS 40th Anniversary Model. Well I do own one, my first actually, its awesome car. I’ve had diehard Ford people tell me they love it, the ones that dont agree are just plan and simply jealous!! I dont care about all your engine, gearbox, badging crappp…you can eat my dust!!!