Content provided in partnership with

Automotive Industry

2001 Holden Ute SS - Commodore-based Ute - Brief Article

Automotive Industries, August, 2001 by John Peter

There it was, black and beautiful, sitting solidly on the tarmac, wheel wells filled with 17-inch five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. The sculpted front fascia and side skirts made it look fast. The 5.7L 300 hp V-8 made it go fast.

Behind the red and black leather interior was a 5x7 cargo box under a hard plastic tonneau cover. There was plenty of room in the bed to carry a pickup truck full of stuff, including the requisite 4 x 8 sheet of plywood (with the tailgate down).

Most Popular Articles in Autos: Service Slants; 2007 utility vehicle buyer's guide: Side-By-Sides are popular; here's who ...; Transmission considerations: beyond the manual gearbox; Buell Motorcycle engineering, innovation, & dedication: in an industry ...; 100 + 10: America's oldest automotive magazine celebrates its 110th year ...; More »

GM brought the Ute up from down under for its GM Powered media event at Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., and after a couple of back-to-back blasts down GM'S makeshift 1/8-mile drag strip in the Holden Ute and a Chevy Yukon, the realization hit me. A rear-drive V-8-powered sport-coupe with a cargo bed, four-wheel disc brakes, optional 6-speed manual and an independent rear suspension -- this is a true sport utility vehicle.

The only thing the Commodore-based Ute was missing was a Chevy bow tie on the grille and a couple of El Camino SS decals on the rear flanks.

Is anyone at GM listening?

Why is Chevy betting its money on the SSR when this great retro rod is sitting right here?

The E1 Camino is making a comeback with the young West Coast rodders, and Holden already has a left hand-drive dash in stock, courtesy of the Saudi-sold Holden Caprice. Drop one in, stick on a badge and you're in business.

Come on, guys. This is a no-brainer.

Automotive Industry

2001 Holden Ute SS - Commodore-based Ute - Brief Article

Automotive Industries, August, 2001 by John Peter

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Sports

Most Popular Articles in Autos

Most Popular Publications in Autos