In the world of Australian motorsport, few moments carry as much emotional and historical weight as the transition of a legendary racing team. The recent news of Triple Eight Race Engineering selling off a Holden Commodore ahead of their switch to Ford marks more than just a simple team rebranding—it symbolizes the end of an era and the dramatic transformation of Australian motorsport. This watershed moment represents a fundamental shift in the competitive landscape, one that resonates deeply with racing enthusiasts and casual fans alike.
The Significance of the Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is not just a car; it’s a cultural icon that has defined Australian automotive identity for decades. From suburban streets to race tracks, the Commodore represented more than mere transportation—it was a symbol of Australian engineering prowess, competitive spirit, and national pride. For generations of Australians, the Commodore embodied the perfect blend of performance, practicality, and distinctly Australian character, making it a cornerstone of both everyday life and motorsport excellence.
The Final Farewell: A Commodore’s Last Journey
The Auction: More Than Just a Sale
On a notable day in early 2025, Triple Eight Race Engineering—known more recently as Red Bull Ampol Racing—made a poignant decision to auction off a 2018 Holden Commodore ZB. This wasn’t just any vehicle, but a piece of motorsport history that carried the team’s legacy. The auction represented a symbolic passing of the torch, marking the conclusion of Triple Eight’s illustrious partnership with the Holden brand and the beginning of a new chapter in their racing journey.
Key Details of the Auction:
- Vehicle: 2018 Holden Commodore ZB, meticulously maintained and representing the pinnacle of Holden engineering
- Mileage: 55,544 kilometers, each one a testament to the vehicle’s reliability and performance
- Selling Price: $18,888 (a number with symbolic significance to the team, reflecting their racing heritage)
- Platform: Collected through Collecting Cars, ensuring a transparent and accessible bidding process for enthusiasts worldwide
Unique Characteristics of the Auctioned Vehicle
The Commodore was no ordinary road car. It bore the hallmarks of its racing pedigree, featuring numerous modifications and enhancements that set it apart from standard production models:
- Promotional livery matching the team’s racing vehicles, showcasing the iconic Red Bull Ampol Racing colors
- Custom body kit with specialized bumpers and side-skirts, engineered for optimal aerodynamic performance
- Lowered suspension, providing enhanced handling and a more aggressive stance
- Custom 20-inch wheels, perfectly complementing the vehicle’s sporting character
- Summit White paint revealing its original factory finish, maintained to showroom standards
The Broader Context: Holden’s Disappearance and Motorsport Evolution
The End of Holden
Holden’s closure in 2020 marked a seismic shift in Australian automotive manufacturing. The brand that had been synonymous with Australian car culture for generations disappeared, leaving a profound void in the national automotive landscape. This closure affected not just manufacturing jobs and economic considerations, but also struck at the heart of Australian automotive identity and pride.
V8 Supercars: A Changing Ecosystem
The racing world didn’t stand still. After Holden’s departure, V8 Supercars adapted to the changing automotive landscape with remarkable resilience and innovation:
- 2023: Replacement of Holden with Chevrolet Camaro, maintaining the spirit of competition while embracing new opportunities
- 2026: Anticipated lineup includes:
- Ford Mustang (Triple Eight), marking a historic shift for the team
- Toyota Supra (Walkinshaw Andretti United), introducing new diversity to the grid
Technical Specifications of the Auctioned Commodore
Powertrain Details
- Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, representing modern efficiency without compromising performance
- Power Output: 191 kW, delivering impressive acceleration and top-end speed
- Torque: 350 Nm, ensuring robust performance across the rev range
- Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, offering seamless gear changes and optimal power delivery
The specifications reflect a perfect balance between everyday usability and performance potential, making this particular Commodore a fitting final chapter in Triple Eight’s Holden story.
Interior and Features
The interior of this historic Commodore exemplifies the perfect fusion of luxury, performance, and practicality. The black leather interior, meticulously maintained to preserve its original elegance, wraps around every surface with premium quality and attention to detail. The seats, featuring subtle red stitching that echoes the exterior racing livery, provide both exceptional comfort for daily driving and sufficient bolstering for spirited cornering.
The charcoal finish, carefully selected to complement the exterior aesthetics, creates a sophisticated atmosphere throughout the cabin. This dark, refined tone extends across the dashboard, center console, and door panels, creating a cohesive and professional appearance that befits a vehicle of this caliber. The finish has been expertly preserved, showing minimal wear despite the vehicle’s prestigious history.
Carbon-fiber and aluminum inlays strategically placed throughout the interior serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. These premium materials not only reduce weight but also add a distinctly motorsport-inspired character to the cabin. The carbon fiber elements, featuring a precise weave pattern, appear on the center console, door trim, and dashboard accents, while brushed aluminum highlights provide elegant contrast and emphasize the vehicle’s performance heritage.
The standard features package demonstrates Triple Eight’s commitment to combining racing pedigree with modern convenience. The reversing camera system offers crystal-clear visibility, with dynamic guidance lines and a wide-angle view that makes maneuvering this prestigious vehicle effortless. The high-resolution display is seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, maintaining the interior’s clean, professional aesthetic.
The advanced cruise control system incorporates multiple settings for enhanced driver comfort during longer journeys, while the Bluetooth connectivity suite provides seamless integration with modern devices, allowing for hands-free communication and audio streaming through the premium sound system.
The Human Story: Jamie Whincup’s Legacy
Jamie Whincup’s transition from legendary driver to team principal and co-owner of Triple Eight Race Engineering represents a masterful evolution in Australian motorsport leadership. His personal decision to sell the 2012 Bathurst-winning Holden VE Commodore race car speaks volumes about the deep emotional connection between the drivers, their machines, and the sport’s heritage. This gesture demonstrates not just a changing of the guard, but a thoughtful preservation of history.
Implications for Motorsport Fans and Collectors
The auction of this particular Commodore transcends typical vehicle sales, emerging as a pivotal moment in Australian motorsport history. For collectors and enthusiasts, it presents an unprecedented opportunity to acquire not just a vehicle, but a tangible piece of racing heritage. The car’s comprehensive modifications, documented racing team history, and strategically chosen pricing structure combine to create an investment opportunity that resonates deeply with true motorsport aficionados.
Looking Forward: Triple Eight’s Ford Era
Triple Eight’s upcoming transition to the Ford Mustang in 2026 represents a fundamental shift in Australian motorsport dynamics. This strategic move showcases the team’s remarkable adaptability and unwavering commitment to maintaining their competitive edge. The decision reflects a broader understanding of motorsport’s evolving landscape and the need to embrace change while honoring tradition.
Honoring a Legacy, Embracing the Future
As Triple Eight Race Engineering embarks on this new chapter, the Holden Commodore stands as a powerful testament to their extraordinary journey. This vehicle embodies decades of engineering excellence, competitive determination, and the passionate spirit that continues to define Australian motorsport.
The sale of this iconic Commodore transcends a simple farewell, emerging instead as a celebration of an automotive legacy that will inspire future generations of racing enthusiasts and continue to shape the narrative of Australian motorsport history.