The final Australian-built Holden to be auctioned
The final Holden built in Australia is set to go under the hammer this weekend.
While the 'last' Holden Commodore to officially roll off an Australian production line and out the doors of the Elizabeth plant has been kept by US car giant General Motors, the final Commodore to pass through the body and paint shops (where the vehicle's panels were assembled and painted) is up for auction at the end of this month.
"This car differs to the one that Holden [has] advertised as the last one on the assembly line, which was prepared in advance of its assembly date," a spokesperson for Lloyds Auctioneers said.
This particular vehicle is the last body to be framed, assembled, and painted, and also has the last Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to be given to an Australian-made Holden.
The car was bought by a factory worker, who figured out the 'last' Commodore that Holden kept was in fact not the last serial number produced. He tracked the car down at a Melbourne dealership, and it is now up for grabs with only 102 kilometres on the odometer.
The Commodore, built in V8-powered SS-V Redline trim, is expected to fetch a six figure result.
"We are very excited to offer the very last Holden ever framed, stamped and painted in Australia, the very last one!" said Mr Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer for Lloyds Auctioneers.
The auction house says interest in the Commodore has been profuse, receiving enquiries from collectors, enthusiasts investors from all over Australia.
"There are some very passionate Holden enthusiasts and collectors looking to own this special piece of Australian History. We start all auctions at $1, there’s no precedent for price on this car as it is just so rare, there will never be another last Holden." said Mr Hames.
Since the demise of the Holden brand in Australia, it's no surprise that the demand for rare vehicles such as this one has soared.
Just recently we witnessed the sale of the 1969 HT Holden Monaro GTS 350. The first factory-built racing car fetched $750,000.
Also up for auction this weekend is one of the most powerful and technologically-advanced Aussie utes ever built, the one-of-four HSV GTSR W1 Maloo. The highest bid currently sits at $1,050,000.
"This car was a secret project built under the cloak of silence to celebrate two Australian icons. The first being Holden and the second being a classic Aussie ute. This is arguably one of Australia’s most collectable muscle cars and it's one of only four ever built," explains Mr. Hames.