RR of the Day: Holden Commodore VU S Ute
While we may not be as obsessed with all-things-Caminage as some other sites, we have a hard time denying the useful versatility of a rear-wheel drive sedan, with everything aft of the B-pillar removed and turned into a truck bed. Rumors are beginning to circulate that GM may be considering bringing back the El Camino by pulling a Commodore/G8 and importing their so-called Ute to the Colonies. We'll go on the record as saying that we're totally all right with that -– as long as we can get a Rhino bumper to affix to the front.
All that said, we'd like to present to you today's RR of the Day, in the form of Autoblog reader Leden's work Ute, a Holden Commodore VU S of unknown vintage (we think it's a 2001).
With over 77k on the clock and sporting a V6 engine, mated to a five-speed manual, Leden can tool around Down Under with a large vat of "concrete repair chemicals" tied down in the rear to give the Ute a bit more traction in the back. His only complaint is that it's a bit of a chore to park the lengthy beast in compact spaces, but we'll admit that if we could get this kind of versatility Stateside, we just park a little further away from Home Depot.
You can check out a few more pics of Leden's work whip after the jump, along with directions on how to submit your own ride to our Flickr pool.
UPDATE: For the record, Leden is none other than AutoblogGreen's own Dane Muldoon. -Ed.
How to submit to RR of the Day:
Create a Flickr account if you don't already have one. Search for and join the group called 'Autoblog RR of the Day'. Upload up to three photos of your ride to your own account at a size no larger than 450 pixels wide if possible and include as much information about it and yourself as possible. Even if your ride is sweet, it will not be chosen if there's not a lot of info accompanying it. Click on each photo and just above the picture it will say "Send to group". Click that and select the Autoblog group. You're done, that's it!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bill 11:21AM (2/13/2007)
"importing their so-called Ute to the Colonies."
Australia was a colony too, so it's already in the (former) colonies.
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Avinash machado 10:49AM (2/13/2007)
Australian cars are really great looking and muscular.
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ryan 10:52AM (2/13/2007)
That is disgusting
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DJ 1:50PM (2/13/2007)
I always thought bringing back the El Camino in this form made a lot more sense than building the SSR (what a waste).
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carlos 11:00AM (2/13/2007)
That's so cool. Yeah, they should make a new El Camino. BTW, its called a "Roo Bar", not a Rhino bumper.
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Accordsforall 11:00AM (2/13/2007)
Hmmm
Somehow having that bar.. stick out of the front.. doesnt say mean or big n bad.. it just says STUPID. Hes going to have more damage occur to his own vehicle.. than anyone else.
Now.. while I do have a little love affair with the Holden Commodore Crewman SS... not in red, silver, black or white.. its a fantastic looking vehicle.
As for the.. VAT of chemicals.. "tied" down with some rope on the back.. man I can smell a lawsuit. All that container needs is for the tires to chirp a little.. the rope loosen a little.. and that top not be fastened.. and we have SPILLIAGE!
3/4 decent car (wrong color.. wrong brace bar up front and cant have it with ONLY 2DOORS)
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epp_b 11:47AM (2/13/2007)
Normally, I like Holdens, but...BARF!
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Mike 11:51AM (2/13/2007)
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. The Camino was ugly and this looks like it had its DNA scrambled before birth. Keep this one south of the equator where it belongs...
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jscro 11:57AM (2/13/2007)
Holy crap! That car is seriously ugly.
Please don't bring this to the states.
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AZMike 12:02PM (2/13/2007)
Accordsforall,
as always, your incredible intellignce shines thru. if you had ever been to Australia, you'd know that the "roo bar" has a useful purpose; to push kangaroos that run out in front of the vehicle out of the way, without damaging the vehicle.
you don't only see it on trucks in Australia, but on cars as well.
think of it as a rather proactive version of the American deer whistle.
Mike
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mavkato 12:20PM (2/13/2007)
accordsforall, in the picture, it appears that you can have it with only two doors. there is also a four door version called the crewman if you like.
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Howard Kerr 12:28PM (2/13/2007)
Like the car/truck?
So GM has another car in it's "catalogue" that uses those droopy-looking Monte Carlo headlights? Who knew?
And AccordsForAll:
i could be wrong, but this and other Australian Utes usually also have the option of a "flat-bed" aft of the rear pillar, so you have the choice of 2 or 4 doors AND regular and flat-bed.
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Rick 2:05PM (2/13/2007)
Hmm. Seems that bumper requirements in Australia are not quite as stringent as the are here in the States..
Where's the rest of the rear bumper?
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Owain Ozymandias Buck 1:36PM (2/13/2007)
Oh, man! Imagine that thing with a flat bed, loud pipes, and a Git-R-Done sticker! Just think of how horrified Accordsforall would be.
That's the reason we need thin thing! Well, that and it's incredible utility for handling most pick-up duties with a touch of muscle car and much better fuel efficiency...
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karguy427 9:25PM (2/13/2007)
Wow, a Cadillac Catera pick-up. What will they think of next?
...and hey, stop pickin' on my buddy Accordsforall.
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nathan 2:43PM (2/13/2007)
im sick of you closed minded yanks thinking you know it all.
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H 3:00PM (2/13/2007)
I do like the Crewman SS. That would be a fun ride.
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Howard Kerr 3:33PM (2/13/2007)
Re Rick,
It's ironic but one of the largest countries (in land mass) with a not so high population density, is THE only country in the world that requires passenger carrying vehicles have bumpers that enable the headlights, tail lights, and turn signal lights to survive a 5 mph collision.
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chris 3:51PM (2/13/2007)
Yeah it is ugly, because it's like 4 or 5 generations old...
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aman 3:56PM (2/13/2007)
that thing is UGLY! especially the rear. this is worse than the previous generation Ford Falcon. and that was nicknamed the "cockroach". this car makes economical sense but is not worth it for the looks.
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