Those with jobs to do, be they farmers or builders, will mainly opt for a strictly functional vehicle like a pick-up or a van. But what if that's the household's only vehicle and the Joneses next door have a 4x4 for bashing about and a posh saloon for Sunday best? Such was the inspiration that led the wife of one Australian farmer to write to Ford in the early 30s and request a vehicle that could take them to church on a Sunday and the pigs to market on a Monday. And so the coupe utility - or ute - was born. So says Wikipedia anyway!
Generally, it is a two-door vehicle with a sealed bed based on the chassis of a passenger car and fitted with a great big V8 up front. The car for sale here in the PH classifieds is no different. It is a 2002 SS Commodore fitted with a 5.7-litre LS1 V8 and a four-speed automatic. From the service history, the ute has been in the UK for most of its life after being imported from Australia with its first MoT passed in 2005.
The LS engine is what excites here; 305hp might not seem a lot nowadays with four-cylinder turbo hot hatches producing more but the fact that the small-block and has plenty of tuning opportunities to release insane amounts of power is something not to be overlooked. A bigger cam and re-worked heads can potentially get the power increases into triple digits, taking chunks off the stock 6.1 seconds to 60 and plenty of tread off your tyres if you're greedy with your right foot. A 650kg payload on the bed is enough to chuck in some bricks or gardening equipment to help improve traction and a bit more fun to your commute.
If Australia isn't your country of choice someone has created a
Ford Sierra
pick-up truck with a 5.7 litre V8 and a line-lock lever or there's a
Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Edition
with a 5.4-litre V8 both for similar money.
Utes might have a niche audience over here but the combination of a large V8, drive to the rear wheels and not much weight over them is a combination that can add spice to any commute. It's more interesting than a white van, that's for sure.
HOLDEN COMMODORE UTE SS
Engine: 5,665cc, V8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 305@5,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 339@4,400rpm
MPG: 16.3
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2002
Recorded mileage: 98,000miles
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £11,995
See the original advert here