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An exclusive race car and a one-of-a-kind number plate, each belonging to two prominent figures of an Australian racing family, are set to go under the hammer, with expectations of fetching a substantial amount.
Lloyds is facilitating the auction of Steven Johnson’s ‘Tru-Blu’ tribute Ford Falcon XD race car, which has participated in the Touring Car Masters championship, alongside his father Dick’s ‘Q17’ number plate, a symbol of Queensland heritage.
Dick Johnson, a three-time winner of the Bathurst 1000, has held the Q17 plate since at least the 1980s. The plate has been featured in numerous publications and marketing for his Ford Sierra RS500 road cars, echoing the famous #17 he displayed during his five Australian Touring Car Championship victories.
The Q17 plates, first registered in 1929 to a Studebaker owned by Alfred L. Stewart, are poised to leave the Johnson family for the first time in nearly 40 years. Bidding has already reached almost $90,000, excluding fees, at the time of this writing.
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On the other hand, second-generation driver Steven is putting up the Tru-Blu tribute car for auction, which made its debut at the 2020 Touring Car Masters championship. This vehicle pays homage to Dick’s Falcon XDs that competed in the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1980 and 1981, during which Dick secured a title in 1981 along with a Bathurst 1000 win.
While the tribute car lacks the extreme specifications of the Group C XD from the 1980s, it benefits from contemporary enhancements, making it a more refined package, featuring modifications to its 351 cubic-inch (5.8-litre) V8 engine by PACE Innovations.
Unfortunately, its competition history was curtailed due to COVID-related limitations from 2020 to 2022. Despite this, the Falcon has claimed three TCM victories, including two wins at Bathurst in 2021—exactly 40 years after its predecessor’s triumph.
At present, the bidding for the XD Falcon has reached $66,000 prior to auction fees.
Both auctions are scheduled to conclude on Saturday, October 27, at 12 PM AEDT.
This sale coincides with Dick Johnson Racing (DJR)—the family’s Supercars Championship team—preparing to welcome Brodie Kostecki, the 2023 series champion and 2024 Bathurst 1000 winner, to their lineup next year.
DJR holds a record of 10 driver’s championships (1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1995, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2020) and is hopeful that Kostecki can bring home an 11th title, working alongside veteran teammate Will Davison.
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