‘Reimagined’ hot Holden teased as Aussie billionaire buys Brock’s HDT

The Holden Dealer Team (HDT) was best known as an extension of Peter Brock throughout his racing career in the 1970s through to the late 1980s, and now it’s being brought back by Australian billionaire, Kenny Habul.

Habul, founder of successful US-based business SunEnergy1 and two-time Bathurst 12 Hour winner, today announced he had not only taken ownership of the HDT and HDT Special Vehicle brands, but also his plans to relocate operations to Bathurst.

According to Habul, there are plans to construct a new facility in Bathurst which will be home to HDT’s operations of modifying and enhancing the performance of HDT Special Vehicle cars, of which 4246 were produced in the Brock-led era of 1980 to 1987.

“This is about building world-class performance vehicles in Bathurst, the home of Australian motorsport and the spiritual home of HDT,” Habul said.

“We are respectful of what this brand means to people, and we recognise these cars need to be preserved and improved.

“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.

HDT existed as a race team from 1969 but it wasn’t until 1980 when then-Holden hero Peter Brock established its HDT Special Vehicles division, the spiritual predecessor to the Walkinshaw-run Holden Special Vehicles (HSV).

The partnership between Brock and Holden through HDT Special Vehicles lasted until 1987 and fell apart as a result of the famous ‘Energy Polarizer’ saga, in which Brock fitted a box of crystals to certain vehicles, claiming it delivered greater handling.

HDT’s road cars are today highly sought after, with a Brock-owned HDT VK Commodore Group A SS ‘Blue Meanie’ – build number #005 – selling for $1.05 million in 2021.

Though HDT was without factory backing from Holden from the late-1980s onwards, the brand was restarted by Peter Champion – a close friend of Brock’s – in 2007, offering styling and performance packages for late-model Holden Commodores (such as the VE and VF).

“After nearly 20 years of owning HDT Special Vehicles, I felt it was time for me to move on and sell it to someone who is just as passionate as myself, and that person is Kenny Habul,” Champion said.

Habul, too, has a connection to Brock, having said in 2022 after winning his first Bathurst 12 Hour that the Australian racing legend had taken him under his wing during the former’s early years of employment at the latter’s race teams. 

According to Habul, there are currently plans to produce a ‘Reimagined’ HDT road car, though details are yet to be announced.

“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 a HDT reimagined car to present, but there is a fundamental recipe that I think will be very impressive. 

“We will confirm more details about this stage of HDT’s next chapter in due course.”

The announcement of HDT’s future comes after the 2026 Bathurst 1000, which commemorated 20 years since Brock’s death in September 2006.