HSV Walkinshaw with 20km on odo emerges for sale

One of Australia’s most significant performance cars has surfaced after three decades in storage, complete with factory wrapping and an extraordinary 20km odometer reading.

An exceptionally original 1988 HSV VL Commodore SS Group A has been offered for sale in Australia, giving collectors a rare opportunity to acquire an almost unused example of the car commonly known as the Walkinshaw.

Chassis number 082 has travelled just 20km and spent around 30 years stored in a garage. It reportedly never underwent its full dealer pre-delivery preparation, meaning much of the protective plastic remains inside.

Several pieces of the Walkinshaw’s distinctive body kit were also never installed. Its deeper side skirts and front and rear bumper extensions remain wrapped in their original packaging, presenting the new owner with an interesting dilemma: finish the car as HSV intended or preserve it in its unusual, untouched state.

The car was manufactured by Holden in April 1988 before its HSV conversion and compliance work was completed on July 11. It was then allocated to Canowindra Motors, a Holden and HSV dealership in rural New South Wales, where it remained until being collected by its first private owner in 1991.

It has stayed with the same family ever since.

During its early years, the Commodore was occasionally started and allowed to reach operating temperature. The preservation routine later changed, with the engine turned over manually to keep its internal components lubricated without regularly running it.

Fresh fuel and a replacement battery have now been fitted, although the original battery is included. Richmonds says the car retains its original fuel system and date-stamped Bridgestone tyres.

The Walkinshaw is powered by Holden’s fuel-injected 4.9-litre V8, which produces 180kW and 380Nm. Drive is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.

Created to satisfy Group A racing homologation requirements, the model was the first production vehicle released by the newly formed Holden Special Vehicles operation. Chassis 082 belongs to the initial batch of 500 cars, before production was extended by a further 250.

Its provenance is supported by an extensive collection of paperwork, including the factory release form, dealership inspection report, original registration certificate and NSW number plates, sales contract and finance documents. Period photographs and footage from appearances at shows during the early 1990s are also included.

Adelaide specialist dealer Richmonds is inviting expressions of interest, with offers closing at midday on September 30, 2026.

No formal estimate has been published, although Australian reports suggest bidding has already passed A$500,000. The recognised auction record for a VL Walkinshaw is A$380,000, set by chassis 333 in 2018.

With its delivery mileage, one-family history and unfitted factory components, number 082 could establish an entirely new benchmark.