licking Hoonicorn we featured last
month. Wedging it into a regular road
car was no small feat – the 427 required
a custom gearbox and truck-spec clutch
just to be able to get power down without
turning its drivetrain into a modern art
masterpiece.
The HRT 427 would have had
something of a split personality, too. On
one hand, it was a stripped-out, hunkered
down weapon, flush with power and
ready to take on all-comers. On the other
hand, it was still the big, comfortable
coupe the Monaro always was, capable
of serving up big slabs of torque and
taking cross-continental travel in its
stride. Small wonder that more than 80
Aussie petrolheads laid down deposits
on spec alone.
In the end, the sheer weight of numbers
crushed the HRT 427 between a rock
and a hard place. HSV was adamant that
HRT 427C
Engine 7.0-litre V8,
DOHC, 16v
Power 420kW @ 5300rpm*
(with C5R heads and
carbonfibre intake)
375kW @ 5200rpm*
(without race heads)
Torque 650Nm @ 3200rpm*
Weight 1595kg*
Trans 6-speed manual
Price $215,000*
*approx.d motorofficial f motor_mag^93