HSV Commodore VN SS Group A touring car prototype sold at auction

A HSV Commodore VN Group A used as a prototype for Australian touring-car racing in the early 1990s has sold at auction for more than $135,000.

This car, sold by online auction website Collecting Cars, was reportedly one of two 'pilot' engineering prototypes used by the Holden Racing Team to develop the VN race car that would compete in the 1991 Australian Touring Car Championship.

Based on the then-new, VN-series HSV Commodore SS Group A, it was designed by the factory-backed Holden Racing Team – which moved operations in-house with partner TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) – to compete against the European Ford Sierra RS500s and mighty Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R of the era.

There is a plaque under the bonnet that notes this car's role as a ‘pilot’ vehicle.

Fitted with its original 5.0-litre V8 and manual transmission, the car was used by the team for testing and promotional duties, as well as forming the basis of future VP and VR Commodore touring cars.

It even featured in a broadcast news segment, blasting through the newly-completed Sydney Harbour Tunnel in 1992, driven by racer Allan Grice with reporter Liz Hayes along for the ride.

The auction listing notes the car has undergone a significant mechanical restoration and has been returned to its original black-and-white HRT livery.

The sale also includes a collection of parts and documents pertinent to the car’s history.

Bidding climbed from $61,000 with two days remaining, to the highest bid of $127,500 with 30 minutes remaining. Once the buyer's premium of 6.6 per cent is added, the final price comes to $135,915.

For some nostalgic VN Commodore action, here's Peter Brock qualifying in the Top 10 Shootout at Bathurst back in 1991: