well...not quite...

but let me introduce myself, my name is Steve and like you guys, we have a similar looking vehicle downunder which is an aussie icon

we dont have elcamino's down under, but we do have a vehicle called a UTE, abbreviation for UTILITY

the aussie ute has been produced in different shapes for around 52 years

we run a website for utes only, at http://www.proutes.com and have forums set up just like you guys....

now, i did not come here to spam, but mainly to show some of our rides to you all.....

a couple of examples of australian made utes are below

so, a coupla pics, to see more visit http://members.cardomain.com/ute304

cheers guys, and now i've found your forums, i look forward to learning about the elky....an american icon

Welcome to the board. Really cool vehicle! Nice trick photography, too. I could sure use the LS-1 engine option!

Welcome aboard, glad you found us! :-)

The topic of GM importing the UTE to the states and rebadging it as an El Camino has been a hotly debated topic for a couple of years now. I for one, would be standing in line when and if they ever make it to my local GM dealership.

I want one!

:cool: Yeah, I want one too. For the past several years I thought I'd be standing in line for one of the new SS's that Chevy is coming out with, but it looks like it's going to be priced way more than I want to pay for it. So, I'll just stick with what I have until I see something I want more.

Welcome to ECC UTE304!

GM needs to import a bunch of those UTE SS to the USA. I'd love to own one. May we could start an exchange program with you UTE owners.

:mrgreen:

I am sort of jealous. Some look a little like an S10 with a Pontiac front clip on them. But they all are GM and that is evident with all of them. I am jealous that GM feels that the US is not a good place for a rear wheel drive V8 anymore.

I would rather have the SSR. But they are (UTEs) a really nice looking truck and no doubt in the El Camino heritage. Every now and then one will turn up in the states. I saw a Holden Tonner for sale some time back. It was a mid 70s model and the front looked like a 76 Elky but had no box it was a flat bed. It was a strange site.

welcome , i saw a UTE last year at the SEMA show it was in the both for geratelli !!

and we have our version the GTO of your (dam i forget the name now) but the coupe version !!! its gonna be a highly welcome car here in the states

i saw the aussie version several times here in phoenix , cause the GM proving grounds are about 30 minutes away

and love to have the UTE

or if chevy gets lucky(depending on the reaction of the GTO) the new chevelle(GM has renewed the liciense on the name) :cool:

The new GTO is a US version of the V2 Monaro coupe. It will be the first time GM has tried a Holden design in the US market.

I (like many here) am hoping it will be a wild success, leading to possible future projects (like the Ute).

good to see that a couple of the members here have taken a look at our forums, and vice versa

hey stevo nice to see you on here lol. And regarding the coupe that is over there it is a Monaro.

Had to stop in here to say G'day. :cool:

Only Aussie utes after 1999 had the LS1 V8. before that it was the Aussie 304ci (Mine is a 304 stroked to 355/5.8l ). Also available in the Buick v6.

ciao..

we've just released a new website

www.proUTES.com

drop on by, come say g'day




** could we also get the link altered in the car clubs link section to say www.proUTES.com instead of the old utez.com please ?

What is the price range for a UTE with the LS1 motor option new and or used ? Just curious

g'day to you all in the land down under... :thumbsup:

I wonder if I can find one of those on ebay....think I'll go look.... :P

found one on ebay - a tonner!!

damn, this thing looks like you could LAUNCH it from Australia and it would enter orbit before it landed in the USA 8O

too rich for my blood!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1258&item=2480995061&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

What is the price range for a UTE with the LS1 motor option new and or used ? Just curious

25k $A for used

around 44K $A brand new fully optioned SS

check out holden.com.au for an acurate price

Hey57Jet, is that 304ci a first gen smallblock Chevy?

the 304cu....5.0ltr Holden V8 E.F.I

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/291000-291999/291214_79_full.jpg

i've got a 304cu, and the one in 57JET's is/was a 304, then stroked to 355 and now is sporting a new Vortech V7 blower.

the 304cu in the holden utes are the last australian made V8 engine prior to holden deciding to start using the chev LS1 GENIII engines.

the last 304cu block used in a holden was around the year 2000.

now, since 2000 anyway, its LS1's everywhere down here.

also, on another note, cheers to IKE and ACUATH1, who've registered on our forum and came to say Gday.

Is it a unique engine and not a smallblock Chevy derivative? Sort of looks like an LS1.

UTE304, glad you stopped by and joined our ranks. Thanks for the pictures and the links. A Ute with a blown LS1 sounds like my kind of fun. If GM brings the Ute here, I'll be selling my Chevy pickup to get one for sure. I like the looks, and I love the powertrain. Looks like a worthy successor to our beloved Elkys. 8)