2017 HSV GTSR W1 goes to auction

HSV’s GTSR W1 is it. The final word on home-grown hot rods. Our most powerful production car ever. And tonight you’ll have the chance to buy one.

Despite the order book filling before it even opened, HSV’s decision to sell the cars to dealers, rather than customers, will see a W1 put up for auction with only 14km on its clock.

This is the first time a built car’s been offered to the public since its reveal. MOTOR understands component shortages have slightly delayed production and pushed out some deliveries.

“There is one on Carsales.com.au at the moment but they haven’t got the car,” says Aaron Lofts, “they’re using the press photos to advertise the car, but they haven’t got them [the car].”

His company Manheim will hold the auction tonight in Melbourne for W1 number 35, of 300, which is finished in black and bears the registration ‘AOI915’.

With online allocations advertised for over $280K, Aaron has estimated the hammer will drop on a similar figure for Manheim’s example. Well over the car’s $169,900 recommended retail price.

“We’ve had quite a bit of interest both from dealers and private buyers. And a lot of speculative stuff as well, because there’s no measuring bar for this kind of car particularly when they’re new.”

It’s clear the car was destined for the auction yard, as the protective plastics haven’t been removed. As for the seller’s identity? “I can’t disclose who the vendor is, that’s our policy,” he adds, “but it is a regular vendor.”

“They had their order in early to HSV and only received the car last week, and we had it here on the Wednesday.” HSV says it doesn’t know who’s behind the speculative sale.

The Manheim auction will kick off at 6pm tonight in Altona North, however bidders keen on the W1 will have to wait until towards the end before it crosses the block.

Check back tomorrow for MOTOR’s report on the sale.

View the auction here