GROWING up, Jodie Cook and her family always had a soft spot for hot red and black V8 motorcars.
Over a decade ago, Ms Cook saw an image of a Sting Red 2009 HSV GTS 40th Anniversary E Series while searching online and knew it was what she was after.
Purchasing the last red-coloured model which rolled off the Elizabeth factory line, Ms Cook said the vehicle’s power was an attractive feature.
“It had 12km on the clock when I got it because I said to them if it had any more than 20, I do not want it,” she said.
“I waited three months to get it and it was the longest three months of my life.
“I never even saw the car until the day I went and picked it up.”
After troubles with previous cars, Ms Cook decided to purchase brand new to ensure the vehicle had what she wanted.
“When you go from a normal stock-standard V8 to something like this, you just cannot describe it,” she said.
“I had it for a week and ended up taking the kids on a holiday to Alice Springs, it just loves the open roads.”
Originally fitted with black interior, Ms Cook said she made changes to the sports upholstery, adding her own customised flare to the motorcar.
“I sent it back to them and told them they had a week to change it and put the red leather through it,” she said.
“I made it mine and more personal, I wanted something which was me.
“I wanted the colour in certain spots to make it special.”
Ms Cook has since fielded numerous requests from people, telling her they want to buy the vehicle or exchange parts.
“I just tell them I will never sell it,” she said.
“I think once I can not drive anymore, my kids will want it or somebody in the family.”
Apart from trips to Adelaide, Ms Cook said the car had stayed reasonably local since she moved to Mount Gambier.
“It is my daily driver because I thought why spend money if you are going to have it locked up,” she said.
“It has only done 111,000km which I figure is not bad for a car which is 10 years old.”
Ms Cook said she had always been a “Holden girl”, previously owning a red and black Peter Brock edition commodore.
“I always have stuck by Commodores and I had VKs growing up,” she said.
“The only thing I really do not like about them now is the plastic.
“You can lean on these and can feel them move, but they still have their look, shape and their attitude – Peter Brock has not let us down.”
Ms Cook hinted she would like to expand her collection but said it was not on the cards just yet.
“I would like to get an original GTS and it would have to be red, only because red ones always go the fastest,” she said.
“It would be great to put them both next to each other to say here is the old one and here is the new one.
“If it was not this, it would a Trans AM, but I still think this is better.”
Specifications:
- 2009 HSV GTS 40th Anniversary E Series
- Engine: 6.2 litre V8
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- Colour: Sting Red
- Interior: Sports interior with red leather inserts
- Wheels: 245/35R20 95Y front and 275/30R20 97Y back with 20-inch alloy rims
- Safety: Five ignition alarms preventing theft along with over 140 micro dots of identification with eight airbags through the car.
- Features: Sports exhaust, satellite navigation system, tinted windows, automatic climate control with duel temperature zones, 11-speaker surround sound system, power windows, anti-skid function and traction control.
- Engine: 6.2 litre V8
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- Colour: Sting Red
- Interior: Sports interior with red leather inserts
- Wheels: 245/35R20 95Y front and 275/30R20 97Y back with 20-inch alloy rims
- Safety: Five ignition alarms preventing theft along with over 140 micro dots of identification with eight airbags through the car.
- Features: Sports exhaust, satellite navigation system, tinted windows, automatic climate control with duel temperature zones, 11-speaker surround sound system, power windows, anti-skid function and traction control.
