The story of an Australian machine that pulled off a stunning victory in Italy has as many twists and turns as the track it won on.
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In 1987 Peter Brock, who found his relationship with Holden in turmoil, sold a VL Commodore to Melbourne electrical contractor Phillip Ross.
But Mr Ross was acting as a buyer advocate for Brock’s nemesis, Ford’s Allan Moffat.
Four weeks later with ANZ finance and Rothmans’ sponsorship, Moffat and Holden hero John Harvey took the car to Monza in Italy to compete in the first round of the World Touring Car Championship.
While the car crossed the line in seventh, post-race scrutineers discovered the six BMWs ahead of the Commodore were too light.
They were all disqualified, giving the plucky Australians a race victory on the world stage.
Weeks later Moffat and Harvey finished outright fourth at the iconic Spa 24 Hour race in Belgium.
The VL Commodore is now at the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania ahead of the Baskerville Historics later this month.
Museum manager Phil Costello said the parked Commodore had already gained a lot of attention.
“It’s a unique part of Australian motor racing history,” he said.
You can see the vehicle when the museum opens free of charge this weekend for its annual community event.
On Saturday there will be a display of cars and on Sunday people with interesting vehicles, motorbikes, vans or buses can park-up for a community display.
Mr Costello expected about 3000 people would visit the event across the weekend.