HDT has confirmed it will make “a significant announcement” about its future immediately following this year’s Bathurst 1000, but it’s unclear whether it will be a motorsport entry or a new range of limited-edition production cars.
In a press release issued today, HDT said it will outline “future plans for the legendary brand and its return to the heartland of Australian motorsport” at Mount Panorama on Monday, October 12 – the day after the 2026 Bathurst 1000 endurance classic.
The announcement will form part of the Peter Brock anniversary celebrations that will take place alongside the unique ‘Lap 162: The Great Race Cool Down’ event held by the Bathurst Regional Council.
According to HDT, the announcement will “provide a first look at the ambitious new direction for HDT, looking back on the Bathurst-winning pedigree of its heritage vehicles while showcasing its future automotive plans and a renewed presence in Bathurst”.
“HDT and Bathurst have unfinished business,” said an unnamed HDT spokesperson in the press release.
“Contributing to this event seemed like a pretty good place to start.”
Included at the event will be a display of rare HDT Special Vehicles road cars not shown elsewhere during the Bathurst race weekend, including a historically significant HDT VL SL Commodore used as the prototype and engineering mule for the iconic HDT VL Director and Aero.
HDT representatives will be joined by key figures from Australian motorsport, the Bathurst Regional Council and automotive media for the announcement.
The day will kick off with the winners of this year’s Great Race appearing during live Sunrise crosses in front of the Brock Helmet, a large, immersive dome structure positioned in the Bathurst CBD as part of The Brock Experience, which will honour the legendary racer on the 20th anniversary of his death in 2006.
The Supercars drivers will then take part in a winners’ parade along Russell Street between 9:00am and 9.30am, before several major figures from HDT’s history appear for a live Q&A in Kings Parade, hosted by Supercars commentator Richard Craill.
HDT has joined Lap 162 as a major sponsor, with displays, merchandise and fan activations planned throughout the day.
Established in 1969, the Holden Dealer Team (HDT) was originally owned by Holden dealers and headed up by legendary team boss and racer, Harry Firth, who guided Peter Brock to some of his nine Bathurst victories.
The business was then purchased in 1979 by Brock, who created the HDT Special Vehicles division in 1980 to build high-performance road cars, which partially funded the HDT race team, then sold it in 1988 following his split with Holden.
HDT Special Vehicles was subsequently owned and operated by Len and Sid Pennisi, before being sold to Queensland businessman, car collector and friend of Brock, Peter Champion, in 2007.
Since then HDT has produced a series of retro-styled continuation performance cars based on the VE Commodore under the ‘Heritage Series’ banner, starting with the VC Retro sedan which recalled the late-1980 VC Commodore – the first model to receive the HDT Special Vehicles road car treatment under Brock.
Brock-era HDT Special Vehicles continue to be among the most valuable and collectable cars ever produced in Australia, with Brock’s own Holden VK Commodore Group A SS – nicknamed the ‘Blue Meanie’ and with build number 005, Brock’s race number – becoming the highest priced Holden ever sold when it fetched more than $1 million in 2021 .
