Just got back from a 2 week trip to Australia and New Zealand. Let me tell you, Ute's are everywhere! I was very pleased to see that they are now building them with some muscle. The latest versions are the SS and the Thunder. Both come standard with the 6.0 liter LS engine! That's a lot of power for such a small vehicle. Also saw many of the "Storm" model, as well as the "S" model. I think these were from earlier years, with the LS1 engine. They also now have a 4 door version.

I did see one on the street in Sydney that had the Chevy Bowtie emblem in the grill. It did not look fake. It got away before I could take a picture. Rumors down there are that they are exporting 50,000 to the US. I did some checking on the internet and the same rumors exist, that they are going to start shipping this spring.

With the SSR now out of production, might be a good time for this. For more info, you can check out the Holden Website at www.Holden.com.au

Rumors down there are that they are exporting 50,000 to the US. I did some checking on the internet and the same rumors exist, that they are going to start shipping this spring.

Won't happen... and the Chevy emblem wasn't stock, it was fake.

Its a great looking ride, but the price could be a problem.......the base price of an SS UTE was shown as $41,490. and after adding only a couple of options, my choice was up to $44, 370. I am guessing that a well trimmed option with shipping charges will exceed $50,000. I am sure some will pay that much for it, but I doubt it will be a top seller, kinda like the SSR, neat but...........

.......the base price of an SS UTE was shown as $41,490. and after adding only a couple of options, my choice was up to $44, 370. I am guessing that a well trimmed option with shipping charges will exceed $50,000.

Jack,

Remember, those are Australian $$$$, and I don't remember what the exchanage rate is, but it would be lower. Still going to cost a bundle though. . . . . :oops:

Don

dcar you are correct, my error.........looks like the rate is something like 1.4 to 1. This would probably put this thing in the price range of an SSR if it is imported which is not too surprising. Maybe I could trade in my wifes Caddy when she isnt looking, you think???????

It's a nice dream, :sigh: one I share. Just make sure my ute comes with the roo bar. Maybe a crewman would be more my thing. 8-)

I just happen to know a few folks from the island.....one happens to work for Holden in the Engineering dept....no they wont ever make it to the USA :( and a decked out version of last years SS or is it the S? dont have the brochures on me...my dads still droolin over em, anyways a top of the line model decked out costs almost 40g's us dollars. Also neat lil tidbit of info...the original guy/engineer who designed the first ever ute..sometime in the late 40s early 50s....recently(a year or 2 ago) died in an auto accident...in the first ever made ute....holden has since completed restoration of said ute and has it in thier corporate HQ as a display.


Drive it like you stole it.
86 Choo Choo "elizabeth"

So far I've seen a 47 style ford Ute and a 50 ford Ute and a 63 valiant Ute ,that one was only at a movie tho, Crocadile Dundee #1
Lothar, new guy and I'm on my Camino/Sprint #6 .Ones a 79 Sprint,fully loaded black buckets and the other is a loaded 81 Camino :)