Yes - it hurts a lot. Assembling right hand drive F150's, Rams and Silverados is such a come down. GM and Ford should have allowed our engineers to develop and build hot pickups for their market and exported them. That could have worked.
Bloody tragedy that the old road is a 60kmh zone for most of the fun parts now, and always swarming with highway patrol. Used to be quite fun sticking it on the limit through the faster corners at 80kmh and you didn't even need to break the law. But too many idiots killed themselves and ruined it for the rest of us. Need to be really careful up there now if you feel like getting enthusiastic about it.
I personally had my hand in these vehicles..I worked alongside the suspension company that was contracted by HSV..I laser etched the logo on all the suspension components for all 300 units....The busiest 12mth's of my life....Long live the W1.....
Saying that every Aussie is very to happy to see this is an extreme understatement. So awesome that Harris is giving the greatest Aussie car ever made a chance in the spotlight for the world to witness
I’m an American who spent 2 years in Sydney from 07-09. I had never even heard of Holden or knew that Ford still sold the falcon. Almost immediately I fell in love with both (as wrong as that may be), and still wish I could have brought one back with me. Sad to see their time come to an end.
@brocksinclair66 Of course not but I was referring to the standard SS that the US got. I remember an article in Wheels magazine highlighting the price difference allowing for exchange rates. Bit of trivia, Clint Eastwood bought a new VK Group A direct from HDT in 1985 and has it imported to the US.
You spoke to the heart Chris. The end of an era. This is heartbreaking. Thank you for your carefully selected utterly brilliant words for this funeral.
@@recursion. mine came with Holden badges, made in Victoria Australia. GM can put a Malibu badge on it but it was built in a Holden factory. Even paint codes are marked with Aussie paint codes and part numbers. GM doesn’t even carry most parts for them. If you can’t tell, I don’t think much about the company that killed the projects. It’s all garbage to me.
@@6172crew1holden sent the shells out and gm put the LS3’s in and the final finished product. Holden badges were a dealer option form Chevy dealers. If it has a LSA then you’ve put that in. Or you got a converted SS with a hsv shell.
❤ used to be the QA Engineer for these Steering wheels and other interior and exterior parts, HSV could not sell enough of them. Cheers Chris from South Australia 🇦🇺
I've owned a few different Commodores over the years here in the USA (in Pontiac and Chevy guise, of course) and I always loved them. I kept coming back to them. Had an '08 G8 GT for a while and it was a great car, had all the little bolt ons on it, headers, exhaust, intake, and a tune done by me, loved that car for the 6 years I had it. Bought a CTS-V wagon after it and when the Chevy SS came over (VF Commodore) I wanted back in the car. The '16 I had was quite like a refined G8 (VE Commodore) because it was one. Better still that I had it in Jungle Green with a manual. Traded that in on a truck but soon as the lease on that was over I wanted back in a car. Went back to the SS. This time with a very aggressive cam, and full bolt ons. Of course in 6M again. Loved that car but I did sell it on not long ago. Miss every one of those cars for different reasons, but honestly I would go back to a VE Commodore, it was just raw enough to still be really interesting. The SS just seemed a little too tame for some reason, even the one with the cam. Not sure why that always felt that way.
cracking alright, has your dash cracked up or other interiour plastics hahahahah #aussie quality lol They look good but fuck me, the same shitty parts broke from the bog stock mum n dad model 20 years ago up to the last model.
@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi I have owned planty of commodores from vc to ve over the years and have never had a dash crack. If they have it would be from.not being looked after!
@@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi I have never seen a Commodore or Falcon dash pad crack at an early age. I have 1999 AU Fairmont wagon and the dash pad is perfect. the only wear on the interior is the paint on the door handle is wearing. I also have a friends VY Commodore sitting in my garage and its dash pad is perfect too.
Love the Merv Hughes ennealogy . . . very true !! I'm sure he would take it as a compliment too !! We were very fortunate to have Holden and Ford Australia . . . they both lifted each others game and gave us great cars !!
I miss that stretch of road so much. Was in Oz from ‘99-‘16 and my old Falcon GS ‘74 loved that. As well as my 911 73’ targa. All pre kids days. Funnily enough 😂😢
@@nige-cb7jj Yeah…they closed it for a while for resurfacing. Sometimes I pack the mini fox terrier and the wife in the Skyline and revisit that place… gotta avoid hitting the bikers though!🤣
I managed to get my hands on a VF SSV ute before Holden closed down, it's worth a lot more now than when I purchased it from it's first owner, but I'll never sell it. It's done 70,000km and I only put around 2000km on it a year and I'm nearly 50 so it'll hopefully still be going strong when I can no longer drive it. I honestly can't think of a car I'd rather drive that isn't crazy expensive.
I've driven a few VXR8s at the VXR Track Days of old, both the 6.0 and 6.2. Lovely noise. I'm an ex V8 Supercars fan. "Only" 415bhp but lovely to drive.
It's just banter, both Clarkson and Hammond *Ioved* every VXR8 (Vauxhall-badged R8/ HSV) they ever got their hands on. The English and Australian sense of humour is very similar - take the piss out of each other.
I was never an Aussie Ford or Holden fan but I could still always appreciate why you lot are so in love with them, they are very cool, even if mostly a bogan taxi.
For me, the 1998 GTS with the Harrop 5.7L stroker engine is the one for me... Black or Red and Silver with the six speed and cloth GTS trim is perfect spec.
1:44 & 5:03 Old Pacific Highway, up and down to Brooklyn. Highway Patrol also loves that road. Wonder if Mr Harris and crew stopped in at Pie In The Sky in Cowan.
"Very firm suspension"? What an understatement. Hitting the expansion joints on the M1 overpass, you could see the nose bob up & down like a ship pitching in a moderately heavy swell. The old Pacific highway is a great driver's road. Great scenery too. And I liked Harris's Merv Hughes analogy. He must like his cricket if he knew about Merv. The letters; HSV = Holden S
As a car enthusiast from america, I can tell you aussie's that you made an absolute beast, and I'd love to manipulate the "show and display law" to take ownership of one. Probably in that gold color to it looks nice.
Fantastic strip of driving/riding road that, the old Pacific Hwy from Brooklyn to Cowan. And while you're there, make sure you stop off at "Pie in the sky" for a great lunch!
Bloody excellent to see you here in Australia! Would’ve loved to seen your thoughts on the Ford Falcon FGX XR8 Sprint, just for old times rivalry sake 🙂
This was epic and HSV really went all out credit to them! But I'm hoping there'a a Turbo Barra or AU Tickford drive lined up too? You know just to balance it out 😄
The best super saloon ever built in my opinion . I’d be happy with a 2009 LS3 though. I can’t quite afford the $365000 dollars US that they are fetching right now. 😍
Maloo is my favourite, I own a SV6 ute last year of production so 2017 in the same colour , it’s called LIGHT MY FIRE , awesome colour . The price of these cars has skyrocket now .
I remember reading that while they were making the W1's, HSV had trouble finding enough LS9's since they weren't in production anymore. Apparently GM didn't have enough, so they went around the U.S. and bought a bunch from private shops.
Do videos with "Premieres" actually get more views? Personally, I'm much more likely to watch something if it's a surprise post. Almost like an impulse watch. When this is actually posted I probably won't watch it right away. Just something to consider.
We're quite agnostic regarding the feature, but it seems that our videos get preferential treatment in TH-cam recommendations when they premiere. That's why we do it!
As a kid growing up I always thought I’d own a HSV one day when I’m “older” and have the money. Well I’m older with more money, but they don’t make em anymore and the ones that are left are even more expensive haha I’m jealous you got to drive this one!
Totally agree 100%. Forget all the M series, AMGs Audi RSs and Stangs, what would I give to own one of those (not my aassole though😂😂😂). I love those cars for the sheer sound and rarity. An exclusive exquisite motor. Love it. ❤
Looks like it's had a Front on it, the R/H Guard, bonnet & Front Bar Cover is a different colour! I presume the L/H Guard is the same, You Only Filmed the R/H Side! Absolute Master Piece, Best Bit is the LS9!!
Does anyone remember when Chris said "Who wants to watch a small brown man drive a supercar slowly, certainly not me" before proceeding to thrash a F40 and F50 around a track in a manner most of us have never seen before? That's the Chris Harris I miss. Seems like since Top Gear Chris just doesn't care about the little details anymore. These last few videos as well as his new landow laps series thing still don't bring back the geeky Chris we all used to know and love. Chris we want longer geeky videos of you sliding around a car while talking about chassis dynamics, driving emotion and engineering!!
@drivetillzen241 Chris wasn't going to be doing that sliding around tuff for this car which is going to auction. His job was just to attract attention top this car and the upcoming auction, make lovely "motherhood statements" about how good it sounds, how much power / torque he feels, tough Aussie car, etc, etc, which he did. Job done.
The old Pacific Highway, during the week it is deserted, I drive it with my wife all the time, just a great drive and would be brilliant in that Commodore.
brother in law has one of these. so smooth to drive and has a surprisingly light clutch for how much power its handling. that road is the old pac just north of sydney. every gearhead in sydney knows the road 🤣
I dare to say that's what today performance saloons should be. No fancy nonsense, no adaptive cc or automatic lanes change( I want to drive the damn thing) ,no 15 different settings on suspension /exhaust /gearbox /engine etc and tablet glued to dashboard. Some standard equipment, maybe some old school 3 gauges, strap V8 to it and there we go. Everyone will be so much happier
I'm lucky enough to own Ford Australia's last V8 from late in the final production run in 2016. Called the Ford Falcon XR8 Sprint. Also 6spd manual, also supercharged V8. The W1 is definitely the better car (more than twice the price when new though). But it's still the last of the Aussie fords!! I'll never part with it. Great to see the GTSR on youtube again!
Nice, will be a timeless classic! I'm holding onto my VE LS2 Calais, it's not mint but still fun. I was going to get a G6E Turbo but the Calais popped up at the right time. Kicking myself a bit.
I had the 2008 6.0 litre Commodore “Calais” with only 370hp and its ability to accelerate it’s (over) 2 tonnes from 0-100k in 5.9 seconds and accelerate up hill like it was down hill was thrilling to this old man. 600+hp? Giddy up. (The only thing I didn’t like was the super-thick A pillars. Like forearms. You have to lean forward and back to look around them before you turn at an intersection)
Like young Christopher, I had an E39 M5 back in the day, and the VXR8 / Commodore GTS platforms were arguably the closest I ever got to a proper replacement for it. The W1 to my mind might just be the end game for an all round epic car to own and drive in the real world, and I'm utterly distraught that I can't own one because I'm too poor. Possibly the only better option would be one with an LS7 in it, because 7 litres of naturally aspirated aluminium V8 has surely got to add to the package hasn't it?
Chris, you're on the old Pacific Highway just north of Sydney, that's a beautiful road heading up the hill from Brooklyn. Watch out for the police and big bikes up there.
Better than M car, AMG or Audi RS? You heard it right here. I drove a W427 around Calder and the funny thing about it was that the Chassis impressed me more than the engine. Yeah sure, the engine does its thing well but I was genuinely surprised at how precise the chassis was and how accurately I could point it. I’m no racing driver but it was easy to be fast in that car. I imagine this would be some way ahead of even that.
If anyone is wondering where he s driving. He is on old pacific Highway. Connecting brooklyn and Berowra NSW. 9.7Km of winding road. Hotspot for cars. Old car meets at the cafe down the bottom of the road every sunday morning.
1:45 "Great road this, though not going to say where we are..." Looks like the Pacific Hwy heading up and down to the Central Coast from Sydney. If I had to make a specific guess, between Mooney Mooney/Brooklyn and "Pie in the Sky".
Very much looking forward to seeing a full Collecting Cars feature on this car (and maybe one or two other HSV unicorns that still exist out in the world). Edit: I clicked the auction link just for a giggle, bit disappointed that I couldn't find a lazy ~$180k + Buyer's Premium hiding in the couch cushions.
The demise of our local manufacturing still leaves a bitter taste. Whether you were a Ford or Holden fan, it still hurts.
Yes - it hurts a lot. Assembling right hand drive F150's, Rams and Silverados is such a come down. GM and Ford should have allowed our engineers to develop and build hot pickups for their market and exported them. That could have worked.
The McDonalds burger you bought off at the neighbourhood Maccas isnt local Australian. Holden and Ford Australia = McDonalds Australia.
@@kingjulian1549the old Buick also is iconic like Holden cars.
@@supremegodemperordonaldtru3563categorically wrong considering the xr6 had a unique engine and chassis that wasn't available anywhere else
I love this comment, so damn much!
I am an American Chevrolet enthusiast. To hear an Aussie talk about Ford versus Holden fills me with joy.
Chris Harris driving a HSV on the old pacific hwy in Aus! Warms my heart
yep, I used to live in mount Colah, recognise that road anywhere. on his way to Brooklyn
Was doing those laps myself just today
Bloody tragedy that the old road is a 60kmh zone for most of the fun parts now, and always swarming with highway patrol.
Used to be quite fun sticking it on the limit through the faster corners at 80kmh and you didn't even need to break the law.
But too many idiots killed themselves and ruined it for the rest of us. Need to be really careful up there now if you feel like getting enthusiastic about it.
Basically my dream drive. I just need that car.
That's not why. The fun police is everywhere in OZ. @@sixstringedthing
I wish these videos were longer! Chris Harris on Cars used to go a bit deeper, I miss that
He only had a very short time with the car and in Australia to do these.
I miss that, too
They’re all so short
Agreed
Agreed
I personally had my hand in these vehicles..I worked alongside the suspension company that was contracted by HSV..I laser etched the logo on all the suspension components for all 300 units....The busiest 12mth's of my life....Long live the W1.....
BS
@@CadillacDriver😂u think i am lying bro….
@@davesnot_here2091 yes. Because you are.
@@CadillacDriver are u in Australia bro…
@@davesnot_here2091
New Zealand.
Saying that every Aussie is very to happy to see this is an extreme understatement. So awesome that Harris is giving the greatest Aussie car ever made a chance in the spotlight for the world to witness
I’m an American who spent 2 years in Sydney from 07-09. I had never even heard of Holden or knew that Ford still sold the falcon. Almost immediately I fell in love with both (as wrong as that may be), and still wish I could have brought one back with me. Sad to see their time come to an end.
ill never sell my VF GTS love it hence my chan is based around it
Chevy sold the Holden in the US.
@@daniellarge9784Yes and at a considerably cheaper price than they were flogging them in Australia for .
@@Scotty70because the Chev ss is just a standard ss. doesn't compare to this
@brocksinclair66 Of course not but I was referring to the standard SS that the US got.
I remember an article in Wheels magazine highlighting the price difference allowing for exchange rates. Bit of trivia, Clint Eastwood bought a new VK Group A direct from HDT in 1985 and has it imported to the US.
Star of the show for me was the yellow G-Shock 5600. Classic
Nicely spotted! I liked that too
spotted? it isn't exactly subtle 😂
@@M4MK recognised then? :p
Thank goodness you knew.
I don’t like g shock or casio.
Not my scene, you can have the yellow peril. I’ll just take the HSV Commodore W1 😂
@Yorkshiremadmick cool things wrapped in, perhaps, unfashionable badges can be the most fun 😀
Thumbnail title should have been "W1ZARD OF OZ"
Now that's a smart idea!
They also offered a 527 kw kit from factory through Walkinshaw performance as well, absolutely mental!!!
I thought 527 was for LSA
ahh yes , walking for sure. i miss those good old days. Get caught and youl be walking , for sure mate. hahagaha
@@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi wtf u on about
@@willm687 Yup dude doesnt know what he is on about,,, My 2017 R8 LSA has a Harrop 530Kw package... im never selling it !!!!!
@@__PJ__ I was asking the other fella
I’m so glad Chris got to drive one. The suspension is taken from a v8 supercar. I’m a ford man but damn this is the absolute pinnacle of hsvs I’d have
the least-terrible HSV?
Out of Supercars? I don’t think so…😂
@@kallekas8551 let me rephrase. It’s derived from supashock dampers that are used by prodrive and walkinshaw supercar teams
@@anels9 👍
Supashock? So the lowest bidder on the suspension tender? 😅
Old pac is still a favourite bit of road.
Isn't it what - best going up the hill IMO.
The cops keep trying to ruin it with silly speed limits, but we don't care.
It was in the days before radar!
@@hifiandmtb Chopping Porsches in my Clio on the uphill is delightful
Must have closed the old hwy off for the shoot. No cars no cyclists...
You spoke to the heart Chris. The end of an era. This is heartbreaking. Thank you for your carefully selected utterly brilliant words for this funeral.
I own a LSA Holden VF here in the USA. 700hp to the wheels.
do you mean chevy ss?
@@recursion. mine came with Holden badges, made in Victoria Australia. GM can put a Malibu badge on it but it was built in a Holden factory. Even paint codes are marked with Aussie paint codes and part numbers. GM doesn’t even carry most parts for them. If you can’t tell, I don’t think much about the company that killed the projects. It’s all garbage to me.
@@6172crew1 legend.
@@6172crew1holden sent the shells out and gm put the LS3’s in and the final finished product. Holden badges were a dealer option form Chevy dealers. If it has a LSA then you’ve put that in. Or you got a converted SS with a hsv shell.
@@6172crew1 If its left hand drive then it is an SS that has been converted back to Holden badging. Quite a few have been done. Look at SSforums.
❤ used to be the QA Engineer for these Steering wheels and other interior and exterior parts, HSV could not sell enough of them. Cheers Chris from South Australia 🇦🇺
I've owned a few different Commodores over the years here in the USA (in Pontiac and Chevy guise, of course) and I always loved them. I kept coming back to them. Had an '08 G8 GT for a while and it was a great car, had all the little bolt ons on it, headers, exhaust, intake, and a tune done by me, loved that car for the 6 years I had it. Bought a CTS-V wagon after it and when the Chevy SS came over (VF Commodore) I wanted back in the car. The '16 I had was quite like a refined G8 (VE Commodore) because it was one. Better still that I had it in Jungle Green with a manual. Traded that in on a truck but soon as the lease on that was over I wanted back in a car. Went back to the SS. This time with a very aggressive cam, and full bolt ons. Of course in 6M again. Loved that car but I did sell it on not long ago.
Miss every one of those cars for different reasons, but honestly I would go back to a VE Commodore, it was just raw enough to still be really interesting. The SS just seemed a little too tame for some reason, even the one with the cam. Not sure why that always felt that way.
VXR8 owner here....cracking machines, but the neighbours really don't like early morning cold starts 😅
cracking alright, has your dash cracked up or other interiour plastics hahahahah #aussie quality lol They look good but fuck me, the same shitty parts broke from the bog stock mum n dad model 20 years ago up to the last model.
@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi I have owned planty of commodores from vc to ve over the years and have never had a dash crack. If they have it would be from.not being looked after!
Just needed a couple Aussies living next door. They would be out there every morning with you haha
They should sack up and get one too 😂
@@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi I have never seen a Commodore or Falcon dash pad crack at an early age. I have 1999 AU Fairmont wagon and the dash pad is perfect. the only wear on the interior is the paint on the door handle is wearing. I also have a friends VY Commodore sitting in my garage and its dash pad is perfect too.
Love the Merv Hughes ennealogy . . . very true !! I'm sure he would take it as a compliment too !! We were very fortunate to have Holden and Ford Australia . . . they both lifted each others game and gave us great cars !!
Win on Sunday, sell on Monday had a bit to do with it.
As an Aussie it's sad Holden is gone but this is one of the best ones they ever built W1 was going out on a high.
Only two cars came with the LS9, this and the C6 ZR1. Bonkers!
My neighbor did the full Holden body conversion on his Chevy SS, plus a pro charger. It’s a beautiful machine that makes all the right noises 🤘🔥
Ah yes! My old favourite driving ground, The Old Pacific Highway, winding up north of Sydney!👍👍👍
I miss that stretch of road so much. Was in Oz from ‘99-‘16 and my old Falcon GS ‘74 loved that. As well as my 911 73’ targa. All pre kids days. Funnily enough 😂😢
can you still drive on it?
@@nige-cb7jj Yeah…they closed it for a while for resurfacing. Sometimes I pack the mini fox terrier and the wife in the Skyline and revisit that place… gotta avoid hitting the bikers though!🤣
I managed to get my hands on a VF SSV ute before Holden closed down, it's worth a lot more now than when I purchased it from it's first owner, but I'll never sell it. It's done 70,000km and I only put around 2000km on it a year and I'm nearly 50 so it'll hopefully still be going strong when I can no longer drive it. I honestly can't think of a car I'd rather drive that isn't crazy expensive.
Now you understand why HSVs' advertising said, "I just want one." Me too 🤘
I've driven a few VXR8s at the VXR Track Days of old, both the 6.0 and 6.2. Lovely noise. I'm an ex V8 Supercars fan. "Only" 415bhp but lovely to drive.
Chris please do more Aussie car shoots!
That won't take long
@@peanuts2105if you think there's only Holden that made muscle cars here then you are wrong.
Interesting that Clarkeson used Australian cars as a means to tear into the country and Chris makes us proud to be Aussies.
Really? I laughed at the banter ahah 🤷♂️
@@Tom-lf8hx maybe that's why we don't have a car industry anymore 😉😂
@@darrenmanser2847 nahhh, if we made better quality cars is one reason we lost it
It's just banter, both Clarkson and Hammond *Ioved* every VXR8 (Vauxhall-badged R8/ HSV) they ever got their hands on. The English and Australian sense of humour is very similar - take the piss out of each other.
@@Tom-lf8hx Nothing wrong with the quality. We only lost it through free trade deals.
Anything with Mr. Harris, I click “like” before I watch the video
I’d love to see Chris fang this around anglesey like his f40 and f50 videos
Funny how distinctively harsh the Australian quality of light is. You can pick it straight away.
Come back soon Chris!
I was thinking the same thing. I’m a kiwi and every time I go over it surprises me
@@sp4nrs but then again, it's harsh in NZ too.
Better than crappy overcast quality of light
@@ExiledAgentD nah. Outdoor photos always come out looking better when it's overcast.
@@roflcopter645my Aussie relative reckons NZ has more vicious UV rays.
He reckons you get burnt quicker here in New Zealand.
Can't believe this was filmed in my back yard!! Cowan to Brooklyn is a beautiful road. If only he went on a Sunday morning..
I just want one. Beautiful car and definitely something I'd love to own in my lifetime.
luv this powerful saloons! M5's, AMG's... damn, and this HSV it's just gorgeous!!
I was never an Aussie Ford or Holden fan but I could still always appreciate why you lot are so in love with them, they are very cool, even if mostly a bogan taxi.
Gets you there in style and a few minutes before your arrival time 👌
Merv Hughes on 4 wheels....This Aussie laughed hard at that :)
I'd like to see Chris driving Brock's Torana GTR XU1 and Larry Perkins's VP Commodore around a closed Bathurst circuit.
We had it soooo good and didn't even realise it
For me, the 1998 GTS with the Harrop 5.7L stroker engine is the one for me... Black or Red and Silver with the six speed and cloth GTS trim is perfect spec.
Owned that one in black. Beautiful car. Never liked the tri-spokes wheels though. The stroker V8 was a revelation at the time.
@@clubsport9334 The tri-spokes were on the VS and I mean the VT
The tri-spokes were iconic 90s too, they look better as time goes on.
Yes i have 2 of them, the Clarkson car and another identical.
@@martynwhite3811 huh?
1:44 & 5:03 Old Pacific Highway, up and down to Brooklyn. Highway Patrol also loves that road. Wonder if Mr Harris and crew stopped in at Pie In The Sky in Cowan.
"Very firm suspension"? What an understatement. Hitting the expansion joints on the M1 overpass, you could see the nose bob up & down like a ship pitching in a moderately heavy swell. The old Pacific highway is a great driver's road. Great scenery too. And I liked Harris's Merv Hughes analogy. He must like his cricket if he knew about Merv. The letters; HSV = Holden S
The old pac hwy is one of my favourite roads in NSW, link it into wisemans ferry for a great day out. Loop back with putty rd
As a car enthusiast from america, I can tell you aussie's that you made an absolute beast, and I'd love to manipulate the "show and display law" to take ownership of one. Probably in that gold color to it looks nice.
Fantastic strip of driving/riding road that, the old Pacific Hwy from Brooklyn to Cowan. And while you're there, make sure you stop off at "Pie in the sky" for a great lunch!
A fairly compelling endorsement. I wish that I had loads of money too…
Bloody excellent to see you here in Australia! Would’ve loved to seen your thoughts on the Ford Falcon FGX XR8 Sprint, just for old times rivalry sake 🙂
The turbo 6 is where its at
@@uraniumcranium2613Barra is a great engine, but I’d take a supercharged coyote over it lol
Nothing cooler than a big saloon with a lot of performance on tap.
This was epic and HSV really went all out credit to them! But I'm hoping there'a a Turbo Barra or AU Tickford drive lined up too? You know just to balance it out 😄
Diving my favourite route - Old Pacific Highway. Nice choice…not to mention the car!
The best super saloon ever built in my opinion . I’d be happy with a 2009 LS3 though. I can’t quite afford the $365000 dollars US that they are fetching right now. 😍
Chris Harris is usch an overlooked presenter - great to see him finally getting the recognition he deserves.
It was superb piece of bowling from the Big Victorian. He's a hero, Mervyn Hughes!
Thank You Chris, and a well done video,that is a very nice HSV GTS. Enjoy your stay while in Oz driving along on our Old Pacific Highway 👍 nsw
Great road but couldn’t have shot that video on the weekend. Too many wannabe racers and mamils.
I love this guy. He’s a badass!
Maloo is my favourite, I own a SV6 ute last year of production so 2017 in the same colour , it’s called LIGHT MY FIRE , awesome colour . The price of these cars has skyrocket now .
Best colour was Chrysler 's' Statutory Grape '.
I remember reading that while they were making the W1's, HSV had trouble finding enough LS9's since they weren't in production anymore. Apparently GM didn't have enough, so they went around the U.S. and bought a bunch from private shops.
So cool and as a European very exotic. Of course we have great alternatives but just knowing this car is unobtainable makes it so desirable 😍
Do videos with "Premieres" actually get more views? Personally, I'm much more likely to watch something if it's a surprise post. Almost like an impulse watch. When this is actually posted I probably won't watch it right away. Just something to consider.
We're quite agnostic regarding the feature, but it seems that our videos get preferential treatment in TH-cam recommendations when they premiere. That's why we do it!
@@collectingcarsAh, the algorithm. Figures, lol.
I’ve noticed that more and more channels I’m subscribed to are starting to do it. I was also wondering what the benefit of premiering a video is.
It gives people a chance to live chat whilst the premier is taking place.
@@bpowickat least they haven't yet started adding the algorithm pleasing use of the word SHOCKING in the thumbnail captions.....
As a kid growing up I always thought I’d own a HSV one day when I’m “older” and have the money.
Well I’m older with more money, but they don’t make em anymore and the ones that are left are even more expensive haha
I’m jealous you got to drive this one!
Chris Harris...in a HSV on Old Pac!! What a video
Totally agree 100%. Forget all the M series, AMGs Audi RSs and Stangs, what would I give to own one of those (not my aassole though😂😂😂). I love those cars for the sheer sound and rarity. An exclusive exquisite motor. Love it. ❤
Looks like it's had a Front on it, the R/H Guard, bonnet & Front Bar Cover is a different colour! I presume the L/H Guard is the same, You Only Filmed the R/H Side! Absolute Master Piece, Best Bit is the LS9!!
Yes, I noticed the slightly different shades of paint too.
One of the best things about HSVs is you actually see them on the road being driven, instead of hidden in a garage
Great to see you driving Old Pac!!!
Does anyone remember when Chris said "Who wants to watch a small brown man drive a supercar slowly, certainly not me" before proceeding to thrash a F40 and F50 around a track in a manner most of us have never seen before?
That's the Chris Harris I miss.
Seems like since Top Gear Chris just doesn't care about the little details anymore.
These last few videos as well as his new landow laps series thing still don't bring back the geeky Chris we all used to know and love.
Chris we want longer geeky videos of you sliding around a car while talking about chassis dynamics, driving emotion and engineering!!
Its a privately owned car for sale on the channels website, not some press car for journos to thrash you numpty.
@drivetillzen241 Chris wasn't going to be doing that sliding around tuff for this car which is going to auction. His job was just to attract attention top this car and the upcoming auction, make lovely "motherhood statements" about how good it sounds, how much power / torque he feels, tough Aussie car, etc, etc, which he did. Job done.
I’ve watched your VXR8 GTS R lap on the top Gear test track so many times
Still own and daily my 2017 Holden SV6 Commie. Brilliant cars to own and drive.
The old Pacific Highway, during the week it is deserted, I drive it with my wife all the time, just a great drive and would be brilliant in that Commodore.
Nice to see one that actually gets driven. I'm guessing most of them are sitting in carcoons on trickle chargers.
brother in law has one of these. so smooth to drive and has a surprisingly light clutch for how much power its handling. that road is the old pac just north of sydney. every gearhead in sydney knows the road 🤣
I dare to say that's what today performance saloons should be. No fancy nonsense, no adaptive cc or automatic lanes change( I want to drive the damn thing) ,no 15 different settings on suspension /exhaust /gearbox /engine etc and tablet glued to dashboard. Some standard equipment, maybe some old school 3 gauges, strap V8 to it and there we go. Everyone will be so much happier
What a machine! Coming from a XR6T owner.
Oh hey man, welcome to the country. Have fun!
Makes me proud to be Australian... brings a tear to my eye
It’s an absolute disgrace that GM pulled the plug on Holden. What did it leave you with? SUVs and bland boxes. Crying shame.
Blame the Liberal Party. They pulled the subsidies that had kept Australian manufacturing going all those years. None of the manufacturers survived.
Proud? I bet you have an SUV…😂
The Vauxhall VXR8 we had in the UK I'd love so so much. Never thought I'd say that about a Vauxhall
It’s not a Vauxhall it’s a HSV.
1:45 looks like old pacific highway. Proving grounds of every P plater and their race car driver aspirations in NSW.
looking forward to seeing you in the new aston vantage, on a track, apparently it has transcended its gt-ish character.. as beautiful as ever...
That's a fun, fairly quiet, road as well. I quite often nip off the M1 (F3) and go for a play :D
I'm lucky enough to own Ford Australia's last V8 from late in the final production run in 2016. Called the Ford Falcon XR8 Sprint. Also 6spd manual, also supercharged V8. The W1 is definitely the better car (more than twice the price when new though). But it's still the last of the Aussie fords!! I'll never part with it. Great to see the GTSR on youtube again!
Nice, will be a timeless classic! I'm holding onto my VE LS2 Calais, it's not mint but still fun. I was going to get a G6E Turbo but the Calais popped up at the right time. Kicking myself a bit.
That road and the surrounding scenery look pretty damn epic.
haha I spent most nights of my late teens and early twenties going up and down that stretch of road.
Old Pacific Hwy, just north of Brooklyn? Cops on smoko.
Possibly the most heavily policed road in 🇦🇺
I’d love to see a head to head comparision between the AMG and BMW’s best and whatever else available against this Commodore, and the Falcon too
You’re the only bloke who saved the old (new) top gear. I’m afraid since the Clarkson/may days you’ve been the only true car nut.
Pure Aussie muscle car.
With an American heart
But with an American engine 😂😂😂
@BruceKent00 They hate when you say that because they hate to give the US any credit
On the Old Pacific hwy, nice road that!
Beautiful. Love my VF GTS
I had the 2008 6.0 litre Commodore “Calais” with only 370hp and its ability to accelerate it’s (over) 2 tonnes from 0-100k in 5.9 seconds and accelerate up hill like it was down hill was thrilling to this old man.
600+hp? Giddy up.
(The only thing I didn’t like was the super-thick A pillars. Like forearms. You have to lean forward and back to look around them before you turn at an intersection)
Like young Christopher, I had an E39 M5 back in the day, and the VXR8 / Commodore GTS platforms were arguably the closest I ever got to a proper replacement for it. The W1 to my mind might just be the end game for an all round epic car to own and drive in the real world, and I'm utterly distraught that I can't own one because I'm too poor. Possibly the only better option would be one with an LS7 in it, because 7 litres of naturally aspirated aluminium V8 has surely got to add to the package hasn't it?
HSV did do a LS7 engined 'commodore' on the previous model back during the GFC. It was called the W427 and they only sold 137.
Why not a Bathurst s. 564 bhp supercharged 6.2 lS3. A much cheaper option.👍
@@kristianspencer1978 it’s 100hp down and not as special! But still awesome
Awesome Chris, true muscle like your self 💪.
Nice Chevy !
The old Pacific Highway - starts at Cowan NSW - awesome road. Used to ride my CBR900 on it. Lots of Cops on the weekend unfortunately.
An old stomping ground, I used to hunt litre bikes on my Ducati 748 SPS in the late 90's, left Michelin Hi-Sport bits at every corner.
My dream practical Holden was a 6sp SV6 estate. 3.6 ecotech etc Hello from New Zealand.
Welcome young Chris!
Chris, you're on the old Pacific Highway just north of Sydney, that's a beautiful road heading up the hill from Brooklyn. Watch out for the police and big bikes up there.
For anyone wondering where the road is: It’s the old pacific highway, just outside of Gosford NSW
Chris, you missed mentioning the carbon fibre front clip and that the engine is also dry sumped for the full race car experience haha
Better than M car, AMG or Audi RS? You heard it right here. I drove a W427 around Calder and the funny thing about it was that the Chassis impressed me more than the engine. Yeah sure, the engine does its thing well but I was genuinely surprised at how precise the chassis was and how accurately I could point it. I’m no racing driver but it was easy to be fast in that car. I imagine this would be some way ahead of even that.
If anyone is wondering where he s driving. He is on old pacific Highway. Connecting brooklyn and Berowra NSW. 9.7Km of winding road. Hotspot for cars. Old car meets at the cafe down the bottom of the road every sunday morning.
1:45
"Great road this, though not going to say where we are..."
Looks like the Pacific Hwy heading up and down to the Central Coast from Sydney.
If I had to make a specific guess, between Mooney Mooney/Brooklyn and "Pie in the Sky".
Very much looking forward to seeing a full Collecting Cars feature on this car (and maybe one or two other HSV unicorns that still exist out in the world).
Edit: I clicked the auction link just for a giggle, bit disappointed that I couldn't find a lazy ~$180k + Buyer's Premium hiding in the couch cushions.