This Maloo is only for millionaires
A 2017 Holden 2017 HSV GTSR W1 Maloo pickup (or ‘”Ute” as the Aussies say) is expected to fetch over one million Australian dollars ($770,000) at auction.
Made by GM’s Down Under division Holden, which is to cease production in 2021, the Maloo was originally a solid blue-collar truck based on the Commodore sedan—which you may remember as the Pontiac G8.
Under Holden Special Vehicles, however, the Maloo gained a supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V-8 with titanium connecting rods and inlet valves, and a dry sump oiling system. With a maximum output of 644 hp and, essentially, half a car to propel, the Maloo could certainly hustle. A six-speed Tremec manual transmission sent drive to the rear wheels, while six-piston AP Racing brakes provided stopping power.
This W1 version is one of only four trucks made. It has just 681 km (423 miles) on the odometer which is helping to make it possibly the most collectible ute in the world. On sale at Lloyds Auctioneers in Queensland, the bidding is currently at $567,000 and expected to go considerably higher.
Should your budget not stretch that high you might be interested to know that Left Hand Utes in Denver, Colorado imports the Aussie equivalent of the El Camino and converts it to left-hand drive for an American audience. Although the Maloo is out of production, Left Hand Utes can source used models, bring them to the U.S. and get them road legal for 50 states for about a tenth of the price of the car you see here.
