The Top Secret HSV Colorado V8 | Best Holden Never Made

[FTE]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

#001 would've been the pilot build & even it wasn't totally "finished" until the July 1988, given the dramas with the C-pillar window.

But I get your point, you are basically correct. The Group A was on the drawing board first & in planning first, even though the SV88 saw retail buyers first.

Dr Terry

#001 was not a pilot build. There was 2 of those and they were built and completed in 1987.
SV88 was built and released in May 88, Group A began in January and went on sale March 88.

People get confused because SV88 was HSVs first production car (they owned it) but the Walkinshaw was their first car under contract by Holden.

[FTE]

C Pillar was sorted out in 87 before production. By January they didn't have that solid fibreglass
Some had it by request

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by FTE

#001 was not a pilot build. There was 2 of those and they were built and completed in 1987.
SV88 was built and released in May 88, Group A began in January and went on sale March 88.

People get confused because SV88 was HSVs first production car (they owned it) but the Walkinshaw was their first car under contract by Holden.

I'm not disagreeing with you & I now the difference between an HSV model & the GMH contract build, but the problem with VL SS Group As was the ongoing issues with FIA (& CAMS) compliance.

To my knowledge the first "complete" car with its correct C-pillar window etc. wasn't "finished" & delivered to its retail owner until July 1988. Those cars which were built before that date sat around & had to be fitted with their correct parts before delivery.

I believe it was a last minute rush to get the minimum number of cars built before the cut-off date to allow them to run in the 1988 Bathurst 1000.

Dr Terry

[FTE]

First cars were sold in March 1988. C Pillar issue was sorted before production started. In July there was a car #369 that was built with the solid C Pillar by request of that original owner.
I cannot stress this enough, GROUP A was built and sold FIRST, SV88 built 2nd but was their first actual model

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by FTE

First cars were sold in March 1988. C Pillar issue was sorted before production started. In July there was a car #369 that was built with the solid C Pillar by request of that original owner.
I cannot stress this enough, GROUP A was built and sold FIRST, SV88 built 2nd but was their first actual model

You say that the first cars were "sold" in March 88, when was the first car delivered ?

If #369 was finished in July, why was there so much drama in homologating these cars in time for October Bathurst ? They only needed the 200 minimum build.

Dr Terry

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by rare ss

I find it strange that they didn't put the correct wheels on it, those alloy look atrocious

Father inlaws ex business partner had a really nice walky on the market early 2000's and almost ended up as a limo.. he soon backed out of the sale when he found out it was going to be chopped up and extended

has the Calais grill too

[rare ss]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

has the Calais grill too

indeed, although some walkies had them fitted at a dealer level so I thought I'd let that one go

I quite like the de-kitted Calais SV Walkinshaws (whatever they are called)

[FTE]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

You say that the first cars were "sold" in March 88, when was the first car delivered ?

If #369 was finished in July, why was there so much drama in homologating these cars in time for October Bathurst ? They only needed the 200 minimum build.

Dr Terry

500 sales is what was needed to race.
Mine was sold straight away.
If you ever read about #369 you will see it was built as a regular Group A but everything (sunroof, C Pillar, wheels, leather trim, footwell lighting, cruise control etc) was all fitted on site at Notting Hill by request of the owner after it was originally fitted with "standard" Walkinshaw equipment. Owner didn't take delivery until after it was completed. I don't remember the cost but something like $70k in 1988.
https://www.walkinshaw.net/originals/369/

My old one is also on this website link from when I owned it.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by FTE

500 sales is what was needed to race.
Mine was sold straight away.

Fare enough, but how did they get away with only building 302
VN SS Group As (Durif Red coloured Walkinshaws). '91 & '92 Bathursts ran under the same rules.

Dr Terry

[FTE]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

Fare enough, but how did they get away with only building 302
VN SS Group As (Durif Red coloured Walkinshaws). '91 & '92 Bathursts ran under the same rules.

Dr Terry

International Group A went from 1982 to 1988 so it had already finished but Australia still used it which is how the VN got around the regulations.