Dyno’ Dave Bennett’s HR Premier going to auction

Burns & Co. auctions have scored a coup for their 17 January, 2021, auction with a very special 1967 Holden HR Premier.

While valuable in its own right, what makes this Premier additionally desirable is that it was bought new by tuning guru, ‘Dyno’ Dave Bennett of Perfectune-Yella Terra fame, and fitted with a prototype of the Stage 3 cylinder head that would go on to be fitted to tens of thousands of performance road and race Holdens.

‘Dyno’ Dave

While most car buffs know of Yella Terra, the Perfectune name precedes it and was founded by Dave Bennett in 1962, offering dynamometer-based tuning services. CNC machining would follow, eventually leading to the Yella Terra brand of performance parts.

As well as being a major player in the Australian automotive aftermarket industry, Perfectune-Yella Terra would also work with GM-H and Ford as an OEM supplier of engine components. Arguably the most famous of these were the Yella Terra cylinder heads to suit Holden motors.

The first car fitted with a prototype of what became the Stage 3 head was Dave’s own – a ’67 HR Premier.

High-spec HR

Purchased new in July, 1967, Bennett’s testbed for the Stage 3 head was already well-equipped from the factory, with the new 186S six-cylinder motor (essentially the previous X2 motor with a single two-barrel carburettor), a four-speed floor-shift manual sourced from Opel and power-assisted front disc brakes as standard.

Bennett ordered his HR loaded with options, too, including a limited slip diff, bucket seats and a vinyl roof, to name a few.

First modifications included fitting a modified version of Perfectune’s existing Stage 2 cylinder head (what would become the Stage 3 head) to boost performance, then lowering the suspension and beefing it up with heavier duty shock absorbers and a stronger front sway bar. Radial tyres and mag wheels were next, with a tachometer added to the dash. Cosmetic touches included red bodyside striping, a blacked-out grille and wood rim steering wheel.

Bennett dubbed his creation the ‘Perfectune Sprint GT’ and even had badging made to suit.

Australian Motor Sports magazine tested the Sprint GT and praised its performance, erroneously adding that it outperformed Ford's V8-engined XR Falcon GT in 0-60mph and 0-100mph acceleration.

HDT Predecessor

While the Premier was his personal car, Bennett had plans to offer similarly modified vehicles to enthusiast drivers through Holden dealers; more than a decade before this type of operation became a reality with the ‘Brock Commodores’ from HDT Special Vehicles.

While Bennett’s dream of seeing the Sprint GT in Holden showrooms didn’t become a reality, it did lead to an ongoing relationship with Holden that would see Perfectune heads fitted to the Torana XU-1 as factory equipment. Yella Terra heads followed, available for both six-cylinder and V8 Holden engines.

Sold, Recovered

Bennett sold his ‘Sprint GT’ HR Premier in March, 1968, but it would remain a regular sight at Perfectune’s headquarters, as the next owner, Wally Hook, had the car serviced there until the late ’80s.

In 1998, after owning the one-off Premier for 30 years, Hook offered to sell it back to Bennett.

Always garaged while in Hook’s ownership, the car showed little signs of its age, inside or out, nor its 185,000km. Bennett agreed to buy the car and it’s been in his possession ever since.

In its second period in Bennett’s ownership, this unique HR has been driven regularly and shown at numerous events, including Summernats and several activities with the HD-HR Owners’ Club.

Up for Auction

In late 2020, Bennett decided to part with his special HR for a second time, selecting Burns & Co. to handle the sale, which will be conducted on Sunday, 17 January, 2021, at their Bayswater (VIC) auction room.

Still wearing its original paint, vinyl roof and interior, this car is a remarkable time capsule as well as a one-off with a connection to a legend of the Aussie automotive aftermarket scene. The owner’s manual, workshop manual and other documentation is included, along with a signed copy of Bennett’s autobiography – ‘Dyno’ Dave: The Yella Terra Story.

Burns & Co currently hold the record for an HR Holden sold at auction of $96,000, which they expect this car to exceed.

Other classic Holdens, as well as Cadillacs and Fords, are also consigned for the 17 January auction. For more details, go to: burnsandcoauctions.com.au