Probably no car is more stereotypically Australian than a Holden Ute. Adored by many, it served as a faithful workhorse and the foundation for some pretty potent street machinery. This 2001 Holden Commodore SS Ute is a great example of the breed. As many of our Australian readers will agree, all it needs is a roo bar on the front, a faithful Kelpie or Blue Heeler in the tray, and an R.M. Williams sticker on the back window to be the total package. However, this SS should be quite a beast, courtesy of the supercharged V8 under the hood. It presents well and is a turnkey proposition. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder TomV for spotting the Commodore listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Cantley, Quebec, Canada. The seller set their price at CA$36,000 OBO, which equated to US$25,400 at the current exchange rate.
Holden introduced the “VU” Commodore Ute in 2000, based on the VT Commodore Station Wagon platform. It featured a longer wheelbase than the Sedan, and remained on sale until the release of the heavily facelifted VY in 2002. Our featured Ute is a 2001 SS derivative, which was the high-performance variant. Those who wanted to push the boundaries could order a Ute via Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), with the “Maloo” featuring more engine power, better brakes, wheels, tires, and upgraded suspension. However, a standard SS off the showroom floor was cheaper and, as we will see, it lacked nothing in the horsepower race. The gold paint shade is known as Hyper Yellow, and is one of the high-impact shades that Holden introduced with this Commodore series. It changes dramatically depending on the light, ensuring this SS will turn plenty of heads. The paint looks extremely nice, and with no panel imperfections, the SS makes a positive first impression. Holden had a handle on corrosion prevention strategies, so rust shouldn’t be an issue. The trim and tinted glass are excellent, and the new owner can either hit the road with the current wheels or swap to the included set of Pontiac G8 GT alloys.
The 2001 Commodore SS Ute was a pretty handy weapon off the showroom floor. Equipped with the 5.7-liter LS1 small-block, it sent 302hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Power steering was standard equipment, as were four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. However, this SS features upgraded brakes from a Cadillac CTS-V, so it should stop on a dime. The quoted power and torque figures might now be irrelevant, because this LS1 now sports a Vortec supercharger with an intercooler. Depending on other internal upgrades, it should be pumping out somewhere north of 400hp. The seller also upgraded the suspension to coil-overs to cope with the performance increase. The engine bay presentation isn’t pretty, but it appears that this beast is a turnkey proposition that will provide immediate enjoyment to its new owner.
Holden adopted a policy of integrating as many features from the Commodore Sedan and Wagon into the Ute as possible. This included the dash structure, console, door trims, seats, and carpet. This SS features upgraded leather bucket seats from HSV that look extremely supportive and comfortable. They have upgraded the stereo and fitted a boost gauge. Otherwise, the interior is essentially as it left the factory. The overall appearance is quite tidy, with only light wear on the outer seat bolsters. The dash and console haven’t suffered due to UV exposure, and the remaining plastic looks sound. The Ute features dual airbags, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats, power mirrors, a suede-wrapped tilt wheel, a rear defogger, and cruise control.
The Ute was a staple of Holden’s model range from 1951 until 1984. It returned in 1990, based on the Commodore platform. When Holden production ended in 2017, it was fitting that one of the last vehicles to roll off the line was an SS Ute. This 2001 example isn’t a genuine survivor, but it embodies the spirit of a marque that General Motors retired in 2021. There are no plans for a revival, meaning that Holden has joined brands like Pontiac in the dusty pages of history books. The good news is that although Holden no longer exists, parts remain readily available, and the Commodore Ute enjoys a reputation for longevity. So if you want to preserve a slice of Australian automotive heritage, buying this SS could be a great place to start.
The very last Holden car to be produced was a (sedan) VF-II Commodore SS-V Redline in “Some Like it Hot Red Metallic.” I owned a ’17 Chev SS (née Commodore SS-V Redline) for about four years as a daily and it was an absolute hoot to drive. Were I in the market, this Ute would be of high interest to me. I’ve seen a few here and there in the States, and all had conversions of sorts in order to be legally registered here.
Wow, Adam! Nice catch, and it’s a bet that you’d look long and hard at this beauty if it were closer to you, understandably! More than a few gearheads around that don’t understand the draw of a “Ute” but the rest of us get it, especially this one. Makes more than a few want to get familiar with driving from the other seat when it’s this nice.
A smart owner could get a contract with the USPS for rural delivery and get paid to go haul the mail!!!
Wonder what it takes to bring a vehicle like this across the border? Hmmmm..
This UTE could deliver for Ule with the steering wheel too.
It’s a nice different truck. A local by me goes to car shows with his UTE often.
As I read the story all I could hear was Hank Snow’s Golden Rocket.
I’ve never seen one of these before. It looks like a modern right-hand-drive El Camino.
This would be fun if only to confuse people. All that we wanted but couldn’t have in the States. A V8 with all the pedals and RHD to make your companion a copilot.