THE STORY Launched in August 2008, the W427 took 2 years to develop and boasted the largest engine for an Australian built production car – a stonking alloy 427ci (7.0 litre) V8 sourced from GM in Detroit. The LS7 power plant put out 375kw and 640Nm of torque with a compression ratio of 11.0:1. Built to celebrate HSV’s 20th anniversary in 2008, the initial plan was to produce an exclusive, limited run of 427 units. The GFC hit and part way through 2009, HSV closed the order book and only 137 were produced, with three going to New Zealand. The 6 speed manual transmission was a Tremec T6060 as found in the W1, there was no automatic transmission option. The car featured recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control (MRC, or “MagneRide”) and stiffer suspension settings than the HSV GTS, as well as a new exhaust system, larger 6-piston brakes and strengthened limited-slip differential. The HSV W427 will be noted in TWR / HSV history as the only car to which Tom Walkinshaw ‘personally’ attached his name. It is the rarest HSV ever produced and one of the most desirable. THE CAR One of only 23 examples of the W427 produced in Nitrate/Switchblade Silver, this vehicle is in immaculate condition. The interior is in superb condition and the beautiful red leather still smells like new. Standard interior features include multi-function steering wheel, Blaupunkt stereo with 11 speakers, 8-way power seats in the front, dual zone climate control, sat nav, power windows, 6.5” multifunction colour LCD screen, HSV sports instrument cluster and HSV sports triple centre gauges. Having one owner from new, this vehicle had travelled only 13,200km, enough to keep it well sorted, but not enough to devalue it significantly. Sold new and always serviced at Hamilton Holden in South Australia, the original tax invoice , all service records, second set of keys, promotional brochures, original touch up paint and correspondence between the original owner and HSV dating back to May 2008 go with the vehicle. Each W427 was delivered with an “HSV Appreciation Pack” which included a limited edition W427 memorabilia piece entitled “The Walkinshaw Evolution”, a mounted W427 Build Certificate and a W427 branded Owner’s Compendium. This car is immaculate and sports its own SA registered number plate “W427 52” A fantastic piece of Australian motoring history, with outstanding provenance, set only to increase in value.
