Aussie businessman Kenny Habul confirms ownership of legendary Aussie Performance Brand HDT, announces plans for major facilities and investment in Bathurst
Bathurst is already the spiritual home of Australian motorsport and it’s now about to welcome one of Australia’s most iconic road car brands following news that HDT Special Vehicles will relocate its reinvigorated operations to the thriving regional hub.
Speaking alongside former HDT race team members at a launch event in the Bathurst CBD on Monday, the brand’s new owner Kenny Habul confirmed plans are underway to construct a new facility in Bathurst focused on modifications and performance enhancements of HDT Special Vehicle models.
The Australian-born, US-based businessman and champion racing driver also teased a new ‘Reimagined’ HDT vehicle that will have fans of the iconic Aussie race and road car brand salivating.
“We have prototype cars being tested here in Australia, as well as in Germany and the USA,” Habul said.
“There is a lot of work to do before we have an HDT-reimagined car to present, but there is a fundamental recipe that I think will be very impressive.”
Before then, HDT enthusiasts can expect to see plenty of activity in Bathurst as the brand sets about building its new headquarters including what it promises will be a world-class workshop with panel and paint repair facilities.
A separate museum dedicated to the Holden Dealer Team’s achievements, both on the racetrack and its road car division will also be part of the facility, along with a showroom for significant display cars and vehicles for sale.
“This is about building world-class performance vehicles in Bathurst, the home of Australian motorsport and the spiritual home of HDT,” Habul said.
HDT traces its roots back to the Holden Dealer Team formed in 1969 under the tutelage of legendary team boss and racer, Harry Firth. It was the team with which legendary driver Peter Brock achieved eight of his nine Bathurst victories.
Brock was a central figure in creating the HDT Special Vehicles road car division in 1980, in part to fund the race team through a series of motorsport-inspired high-performance Holden Commodore models.
HDT Special Vehicles produced 4246 high-performance Holden Commodores between 1980 and 1987, starting with the HDT VC Commodore that featured a reengineered version of the General’s 5.0-litre V8 engine, a race-inspired body kit, upgraded suspension and imported alloy wheels.
Today, HDT Special Vehicles models are among the most valuable and collectable Australian cars ever produced. Brock’s own HDT VK Commodore Group A SS – nicknamed the ‘Blue Meanie’ and with build number 005, Brock’s race number – set a record for the highest priced Holden ever sold when it fetched more than $1 million in 2021.
Sydney-born Habul was a personal friend of Brock, working around his race team as a young man before going on to make his personal fortune in the United States as founder of solar energy company SunEnergy1.
An accomplished motorsport competitor in his own right and a two-times Bathurst 12-Hour winner, Habul has strong links with Mount Panorama and owns property in Bathurst.
“We have huge plans for the reborn HDT brand,” Habul said.
“They include building a factory in Bathurst focused on a range of enthusiast applications including restorations, performance enhancements and more.
“We are respectful of what this brand means to people, and we recognise these cars need to be preserved and improved,” added Habul.
“If you own an HDT you will be able to come to us for parts that we will have on the shelf, plus we will also be offering performance upgrades that will be HDT approved with increased power outputs, better brakes and enhanced safety.”
Monday’s announcement provides a first look at HDT’s ambitious new direction, following confirmation in September that Habul had purchased one of the most famous names in Australian performance-car history from former owner Peter Champion.
Habul’s extensive collection of HDT race cars formed part of displays honouring Peter Brock’s legacy throughout the Bathurst race week on the 20th anniversary of his death.
Separately, several of Habul’s rare HDT Special Vehicles road cars were shown at Monday’s HDT launch event which formed part of Bathurst Council’s Lap 162: The Great Race Cool Down initiative.
HDT joined Lap 162 as a major sponsor with displays, merchandise and fan activations throughout the day. The brand’s distinctive red-and-blue logo also featured prominently on the Garry Rogers Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro wildcard entry in the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000, driven by James Moffat and Nathan Herne, and the Team 18 Chevrolet Camaro driven by David Reynolds and James Courtney.
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