Brock's biggest fan puts his hero's fleet up for sale
The Holden Commodore driven to victory by Peter Brock and Larry Perkins in the 1982 and 1983 editions of the Bathurst 1000 is one of the stars among 40 cars on offer after the largest collection of Brock memorabilia ever assembled was placed on the market on Friday.
It has been put up for sale by Queensland-based coalmining magnate Peter Champion, who has spent the past 20 years assembling everything he could lay his hands on from his hero's career.
Champion's Brock Experience was housed at a museum in Yeppoon. A downturn in visitors following floods in 2011 and Champion's recent ill health contributed to the decision to shut the museum and sell the collection.
Cars on sale include a replica of the 1956 Austin A30 that kicked off Brock's racing career, a 1969 Holden Monaro GTS 350 he raced at Bathurst, the 1982-83 Bathurst-winning VH Commodore, a 1984 "Big Banger" VK Commodore (a dispute continues over whether it is the Bathurst-winning car), the 24-hour race-winning Monaro and various rally cars.
Oddities include two Fords from the time of the racer's estrangement from Holden in the late 1980s - a 1989 Ford Fairmont Ghia he built plus a Ford Sierra Cosworth - and even a Russian-built Lada Samara, for which Brock briefly held the importation rights.
Several models from Brock's successful HDT road car operation in the 1980s are also looking for new homes.
Evoking sad memories of Brock's death in a West Australian rally in 2006 is the Daytona Coupe in which he died, restored to its pre-crash condition. It, too, is up for sale.
Race suits, trophies, helmets and even the Olympic ambassador uniform worn by Brock at the 2000 Olympics are included as is at least one "polariser", the extremely rare box of crystals Brock swore made cars drive better and which led to the split from Holden.
A spokeswoman for Mr Champion, Heather Allen, said a heart attack last year, combined with his interests in coalmining
and building HDT-branded road cars, meant something had to give.
It was rumoured that the value of genuine Brock-driven racecars increased fivefold after his death. Ms Allen declined to comment on the value of some of the star cars in the collection but said Mr Champion was remaining realistic about
what he could realise from the sale.
Inquiries are pouring in. "Peter has a strong desire to keep the collection together but if he can't, he wants it to go to people who will appreciate it," Ms Allen said. "It's a bit like giving away puppies, you want them to go to a good home."
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The sale covers about 40 cars and a large range of Brock memorabilia. Notable cars listed include the 1982–83 Bathurst-winning VH Holden Commodore, a replica 1956 Austin A30, a 1969 Holden Monaro GTS 350 raced at Bathurst, a 1984 “Big Banger” VK Commodore (there’s a dispute over its Bathurst provenance), a 24‑hour race‑winning Monaro, various rally cars, two Fords (including a 1989 Ford Fairmont Ghia and a Ford Sierra Cosworth), a Lada Samara, HDT road‑car models, and the Daytona Coupe restored to its pre‑crash condition. Memorabilia includes race suits, trophies, helmets, Brock’s 2000 Olympic ambassador uniform and rare items such as a “polariser” box of crystals.
Queensland coal‑mining magnate Peter Champion is selling the collection he spent about 20 years assembling. The cars and memorabilia were housed at Champion’s Brock Experience museum in Yeppoon.
According to a spokeswoman for Peter Champion, a downturn in museum visitors after the 2011 floods and Champion’s recent ill health — including a heart attack last year — combined with his business interests in coal mining and building HDT‑branded road cars, prompted the decision to shut the museum and put the collection on the market.
Yes. The sale includes the VH Holden Commodore driven to victory by Peter Brock and Larry Perkins in the 1982 and 1983 Bathurst 1000. Other historically significant cars on offer include the 1969 Monaro driven at Bathurst and the 1984 VK Commodore ‘Big Banger’, although a dispute continues over whether that VK is the actual Bathurst‑winning car.
Yes. The Daytona Coupe in which Peter Brock died in a 2006 West Australian rally is included in the sale and has been restored to its pre‑crash condition.
The article notes rumours that genuine Brock‑driven racecars increased in value substantially — reportedly up to fivefold after his death. Ms Allen, Peter Champion’s spokeswoman, declined to comment on specific values but said Champion is remaining realistic about what he can realise from the sale.
Inquiries are pouring in for the collection. Heather Allen said Peter Champion has a strong desire to keep the collection together, but if he can’t, he wants it to go to buyers who will appreciate and look after the pieces — likening the decision to “giving away puppies” and wanting them to go to good homes.
Alongside race cars and trophies, the collection includes rarities and oddities such as a box of ‘polarisers’ — the very rare crystals Brock believed improved car performance and which contributed to his split from Holden — plus Brock’s Olympic ambassador uniform from the 2000 Olympics and various race suits and helmets.
Call 1300 880 160
Start a chat
Schedule a call
