For many car people, stumbling across a genuine ‘barn find’ is the ultimate dream. Only making that even better is when said car is a numbers matching car with genuine provenance.
Such a car is precisely what’s up for grabs on RR Auctions right now, in the form of this 1985 HDT VK SL Group A Brock Commodore hailing from years tucked away in Western Australia.
When this car first popped up on the site’s radar, ensuring its authenticity was the immediate concern that needed to be addressed. Fortunately, HDT offers an official and highly detailed verification service through its website which RR Auctions ensured was ordered and provided before listing the car.
Given the number of questions and comments it has perhaps unsurprisingly attracted online, it’s worth unpacking a few details unearthed in this authentication report, which included extensive documentation dating back to the vehicle’s assembly and original dealer delivery.
The car’s “birth papers” trace back to February 1985 when it was ordered via Melville Motors in WA. The vehicle itself is HDT build number 1776, one of only around 50 examples of the VK SL Group A ever built, which came fitted with the L31 5.0-litre V8, M21 manual transmission, and GU4 axle alongside some other tasty options.
On the original Dealer Order form, the VK Group A was one of several packages offered at the time, sitting alongside the VK SS Group 3, VK HDT Calais, VK HDT Berlina, WB Magnum, and VK HDT Wagon. This example was finished in Alpine White out of the four colour options available.
The Group A pack itself was born during a narrow and important window of Australian touring car racing history. With Australian Group C rules on their way out and set to be replaced by international Group A touring car regulations.
All examples were based on the SL Commodore and thus offered in a fairly basic specification as standard, but a wide range of options was available.
From the standard HDT options list, eight items were additionally selected for this particular car: the Level 2 Sound System, HDT Sports Interior, 130/90W Headlight Globes, Black Chrome, Side Skirts, Windsplits, Long Range Fuel Tank, and HDT/Bilstein Suspension.
You can check out the full listing on RR Auctions with over 250 detailed photos by clicking here.
Several special option requirements – items not on the regular list of 39 – were also noted, including ‘Option Code 40’ Velour Headlining, along with colour-coded front and rear bumpers and a VH Rear Deck.
Additionally, the Irmscher wheels – something picked up on by a number of commenters – are noted under special delivery instructions.
The original owner of the car sadly passed away and left it to his mother, who stored it in her backyard for a number of years before eventually agreeing to sell it to her son’s friend and neighbour.
In turn, he parked the car up in his shed for another two decades, although its WA registration was maintained the entire time. From there, it was uncovered and is now offered via RR Auctions, with bidding closing on Wednesday July 29, 2026.
With this 98,000km car presenting completely untouched, it will likely require intensive restoration work to return it to a state befitting an all-original HDT.
However, we’ve seen some big restoration projects undertaken on Aussie cars over recent years, so for the right person, this car certainly represents a special opportunity to bring back a piece of Australian automotive history.
