PETER BROCK & BOB JANE MOTORSPORT HISTORY TO CROSS THE BLOCK

Bob Jane’s legendary 1972 HQ GTS 350 Monaro is set to cross the auction block – Photo: Supplied

Bob Jane’s legendary 1972 HQ GTS 350 Monaro improved touring car and later sports sedan, is set to cross the auction block.

So too is the VR-model Holden Commodore factory-team rally prototype tested by Peter Brock ahead of his assault on the 1995 Mobil 1 Round Australia Trial.

Both are set to cross the auction block at Graysonline’s National Classic Car and Bike Auction, set for 26th of July and it promises to attract a great deal of attention, with these star lots up for grabs.

Headed by Bill Freeman, Rian Gaffy and Terry Naughton, the recently expanded Graysonline team bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in collector cars and motorcycles.

Arguably the star lot of the auction is the Bob Jane Monaro, an iconic car driven in period by Jane and teammate John Harvey. It was later raced by Phil Ward and ultimately underwent a ground-up no-expenses spared restoration and is now ready to race in historic events or demonstrations.

The Commodore rally car on offer is not the one Brock drove on the event, but the official team test and development car that George Shepheard, Peter Brock and the development team spent several months in QLD sorting through suspension, brakes, lights, and fuel capacity.

Holden had called on legendary race and rally engineer and Australian rally champion navigator George Shepheard to build the cars, just as he had the Commodores that scored that amazing 1-2-3 finish in the 1979 Repco Round Australia Trial.

By 1995 Holden was looking for an event to boost its sales and public image, and again it contracted George and Australia’s favourite son, Peter Brock, to have another “RED HOT GO” in what became called the Mobil 1 Round Australia Trial.

Being the perfectionist George is, he travelled to S.A. to Holden’s Elizabeth plant and guided four cars down the assembly line instructing the production workers where he wanted extra strengthening and mods to suit the tough rally cars he wanted to build.

The VR Commodore on offer is the first of those cars built.

This car was also used for media photos before the trial and appeared on the cover of Auto Action, May 31st, 1995 edition.

This VR Commodore has only travelled just over 2000km since 1995 and is believed to be the most accurate and original of the four cars built.

After spending the last couple of years back in the care of George and his sons, the car is now ready for action again.

There is a 1995 Mobil 1 Round Australia Trial reunion planned for this year that the lucky winning bidder is invited to, and this car will be one of the stars of the night.

The two cars are set to cross the auction block at Graysonline’s National Classic Car and Bike Auction, set for 26th of July and it promises to attract a great deal of attention.

The auction will include many other star lots up for grabs including a Holden A9X 4 door; 1973 Bathurst XU-1; VL Holden Commodore Turbo Sedan (ex NSW Police pursuit car); XY Ford Falcon GT sedan; XY Ford Falcon GT HO tribute; VT GTS Twin Turbo, VN Holden Commodore Group A; VP HSV Holden Commodore GTS; VZ Holden Commodore SV 6000; Mazda RX 7; Porsche 356; Porsche 928; Porsche 930; Ferrari 599; Ferrari 355; Ferrari 328; E Type Jaguar; Ford Sierra Cosworth; Lotus Escort; Mini Cooper S; Leyland Mini K; EH Holden sedan; HD Holden Premier; FJ Holden sedan.

For further information visit www.graysonline.com or call 1300 CLASSIC

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.