Just thought I'd clear this up with you guys......

On wikipedia, it says that our Utes, which have been based on Commodores (station wagons to be exact) since the "VN" model in around 1990.

Holdens HQ-WB (from early 70's to 1985) range of utes were more "El-Camino inspired"

Someone at Wikipedia needs a paddlin'

In 2004, the truck won the Guinness record of "World's Fastest Production Pickup Truck" of 154.587mph (247,3 km/h).[1] This record stood until bettered by the Australian, El Camino-inspired, Holden Special Vehicles Maloo R8 in May 2006[2]. SRT-10 production ended on June 30, 2006. It is rumored that the SRT-10 will eventually be replaced by an SRT-8 model

And we smashed the record for "Worlds Fastest Pickup" too :D:D:D:D:D:D

Well, here's an easy question. What was the first year of the "Ute"? The first El Camino dates to 1959.

Don't worry about Wikipedia anyway. Anyone with any brain cells wouldn't believe half of the QUOTE facts UNQUOTE on there.

Is that just for the Camino?

Holden utes date back as far as 1953.

*I* the think the UTE looks like an unwiped a$$. *pukes* I don't care what its origin is.

lol which ute though? the "new" Holden one or the older ones?

nice comparison though LMAO

Holden utes date back as far as 1953.

That pre-dates the El Camino then.

Don't worry about what Wikipedia says, h#ll you could probably even get on there and write your own history.

As for looks I love the Ute. Besides I own a 76 El Camino, I'd love to have a newer version of one.

As for looks I love the Ute. Besides I own a 76 El Camino, I'd love to have a newer version of one.
Well as the risk of contradicting myself, I thought the current ute shape (VY-VZ) would look good as the new El Camino if they ever decide to do it again.

But they probably wont :(

Off topic I heard that the VE Commodore thats replacing the Saturn (i think thats what it said) will have different body panels and interior tweaks.

How about that hey? :D

Some pics of ute in question (the black ones actually a VX, but with VY front and VZ guards, you'd never know)

http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=new20vz20ute203pl2.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture021pz6kh9.jpg

That pre-dates the El Camino then.

As for looks I love the Ute. Besides I own a 76 El Camino, I'd love to have a newer version of one.
Orbit, as a ute afficondo I trust you might find interest in these old pics ..

An early 'El Camino' ;) this Holden-bodied 1937 Chevrolet Coupe Utility (note it's uniquely derived from the Chev passenger car, not ex-truck)
http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/cgi-bin/DisplayResearchImage.pl?title=Department%20of%20Ag ricultures%20Chevrolet,%201937%20model%20Coupe%20U tility&ImageNumber=115630&Publisher=John%20Oxley%20Library,%20State%20Librar y%20of%20Queensland&url=http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/slq/neg/research/115000/115630r.jpg

Also car-based and Holden factory-bodied is this 1941 Pontiac Roadster Utility, perhaps one of the last passenger-based OE roadsters from GM?
http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/cgi-bin/DisplayResearchImage.pl?title=1941%20Pontiac%20wit h%20utility%20body&ImageNumber=148501&Publisher=John%20Oxley%20Library,%20State%20Librar y%20of%20Queensland&url=http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/slq/neg/research/148000/148501r.jpg

Btw the earliest Holden-built catalogued model of the accepted 'coupe utility' bodystyle I've seen was of the 1929 Pontiac :)

Thanks for the two pics. Pretty cool.

It would be cool to see someone find one of those and resto-mod it into a modern hot rod like we see countless Fords and Mercury custom rods around here.

:)

No ****.....I knew Holden built car bodies, but I've never actually seen one! Who would've thought I'd get pics through an American GTO forum :D :D

Thank you heaps for the pics....they are historical GOLD for me and the rest of the Holden nuts over here! :D :D

Happy as right now, but do you have any articles relating to Holden-bodied cars in the US or elsewhere? I'd love to find out more about them :)

As for looks I love the Ute. Besides I own a 76 El Camino, I'd love to have a newer version of one.
Ooh ooh pics please :D

I watched "Enemy of the State" the other day, Gene Hackman drive one (at least I'm 85% sure it was an El Camino)

They're pretty cool, I wouldnt say no to one, but I've never seen one here :(

No ****.....I knew Holden built car bodies, but I've never actually seen one! Who would've thought I'd get pics through an American GTO forum :D :D

Thank you heaps for the pics....they are historical GOLD for me and the rest of the Holden nuts over here! :D :D

Happy as right now, but do you have any articles relating to Holden-bodied cars in the US or elsewhere? I'd love to find out more about them :)
For terrific pictures and a potted history, you could try wandering through this great online site from your own State library
http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/info/car

Eg: search for 'holden' to find pics like this http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/logicrouter/servlet/LogicRouter?PAGE=object&OUTPUTXSL=object_enc36ui.xslt&pm_RC=PICTQLD&pm_OI=22429&pm_GT=Y&pm_IAC=Y&api_1=GET_OBJECT_XML&num_result=33

or Australian-bodied vehicles like this! http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/cgi-bin/DisplayResearchImage.pl?title=Plume%20petrol%20tan ker%20using%20a%20Reo%20truck%20chassis%20fitted%2 0with%20a%20special%20streamlined%20body,%201938&ImageNumber=106143&Publisher=John%20Oxley%20Library,%20State%20Librar y%20of%20Queensland&url=http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/slq/neg/research/106000/106143r.jpg

and cuties like this 'Queensland Special' :D http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/logicrouter/servlet/LogicRouter?PAGE=object&OUTPUTXSL=object_enc36ui.xslt&pm_RC=PICTQLD&pm_OI=23172&pm_GT=Y&pm_IAC=Y&api_1=GET_OBJECT_XML&num_result=0
______________________

http://www2.sebas.vic.edu.au/staff/ndarwin/sloper.html
Here's a neat little reference site to the unique Aussie 'Sloper' from prominent local Holden historian Norm Darwin, author of this excellent book
http://www.rgt.com.au/GMHistory/GMbook.html

Holden-built Slopers were very popular and might be considered as the forerunner of Monaro :cool:
_______________________

http://www.naa.gov.au/The_Collection/transport/road.html
The Great Depression had a tragic effect on many small manufacturing concerns. Even the largest suffered – Holden was saved only by its sale to General Motors in 1931.

Australian body builders performed amazing engineering and design feats. Despite low production numbers, they were able to provide the tooling required for annual American model changes. They were also able to produce unique models, such as the Utility. One example of Australian engineering ability occurred in 1937 when General Motors considered introducing all steel bodies to their range of Australian cars. In GM’s opinion, Australian manufacturers did not have the technology or expertise necessary to produce all steel bodies, and suggested that Holden import fully assembled vehicles. In fact, Holden had been producing all steel Chrysler and Plymouth bodies in Australia since 1935.
(nb: As far as I know, GM-US did not introduce the technique of all-steel body construction to their own range of vehicles until 1936. In particular this (Australian) innovation from Holden included disposing of the existing fabric roof insert, a troublesome component, and all-steel construction was considered a great breakthrough for body design in those days)
______________________

http://holden.itgo.com/holden_history.html
(note GM-US initially pledged then refused to finance the Holden car (due to the evils of Socialism, lol) so the risk-capital ended up being funded by Australians themselves - GM did not wish to see the full manufacture of cars in AU (ie: the 1948-on Holden) instead preferring to export their own range of vehicles from America
______________________

Imo the best source for quality info of Holden's history is via the book 'Big Wheels Little Wheels' written by none other than Holden's pre-eminent managing director, Sir Laurence Hartnett. It's a superb read, sometimes sold by second-hand bookstores, and of course available at most libraries

Holy jesus....thats ALOt of info

Maybe when my hangover subsides I'll go thru it all

I like that "Sloper" though, thats wicked cool

THanks very much, I love you guys haha