You get used to being on the wrong side.

The Hilux is sweet, I don’t understand why Toyota even created the Tacoma. I’m surprised by how many I’ve seen with automatic transmissions. I walked by two in Sydney today and both had autos. They looked like mid-top level trim examples.

I’m falling in love with these Holden Utes. They are so damn odd looking.

Sydney was full of nice examples of the Hilux, Maloo and Ranger.

I think this is one of the top trim levels for the Ranger in Australia. It’s a damn good looking little truck. This and a very loud HSV Maloo were parked near our hotel.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:
I could do without the snorkel, but other than that the HiLux looks great. Not of fan of the car-truck crossbreed. Make it a truck, a car or SUV.

I think they are bad ass. You could toss your racing rubber and all your track stuff in the back, run all day at the track, drive it all home without a trailer.

I cannot fit my racing tires in my camaro.

Good point DoctorSolo. I loved having my truck because of the bed and all the stuff I could carry but I rarely used the 4 wheel drive and it was a damn uninspiring vehicle to drive on the street. A Holden HSV Maloo (performance version Ute) has all the fun of a Camaro, powerful V8, 6 speed manual but with the ability to haul a bike. To me it’s the best of both worlds.

They have a unique sound. When one revs it’s engine nearby you know instantly what it is.

IIRC, the Wildtrak is roughly equivalent to the upcoming Raptor Ranger, definitely a good looking truck.

The Maloo is a whole 'nother animal.

I’m wondering if there is a way to import an older Holden Maloo and keep it right hand drive. If they are subject to the 25 year import rule which allows for relaxed emissions, safety etc then I might do it. That rule is how people are importing the older Nissan Skylines and other rare Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles.

A 1993 Holden Maloo would probably be pretty affordable.

quote:

Originally posted by DoctorSolo:

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:
I could do without the snorkel, but other than that the HiLux looks great. Not of fan of the car-truck crossbreed. Make it a truck, a car or SUV.

I think they are bad ass. You could toss your racing rubber and all your track stuff in the back, run all day at the track, drive it all home without a trailer.

I cannot fit my racing tires in my camaro.

That was one of the things I loved about my 4 gen 2002 Camaro. We actually fit 4 wheels fitted with racing tires, 1 low profile jack, 2 helmets, 2 duffle bags and 2 of us made a 3 hour drive down to Sierra Vista to autocross at the airport down there.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
I’m wondering if there is a way to import an older Holden Maloo and keep it right hand drive. If they are subject to the 25 year import rule which allows for relaxed emissions, safety etc then I might do it. That rule is how people are importing the older Nissan Skylines and other rare Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles.

A 1993 Holden Maloo would probably be pretty affordable.

I'd imagine that shouldn't be a problem.
I see the occasional RHD import being driven around Houston (and have had one on loan for a weekend before).
A Maloo would definitely generate many more looks than possibly even a Skyline.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
Sydney was full of nice examples of the Hilux, Maloo and Ranger.

I think this is one of the top trim levels for the Ranger in Australia. It’s a damn good looking little truck. This and a very loud HSV Maloo were parked near our hotel.

Really looking forward to test driving the American version later this year.

I found an import company on Facebook that has imported Australian vehicles in the past. They quoted me about $7500 for fees, paperwork and shipping but unfortunately that is to California so I’d need to still ship it to the east coast. I wonder how much cost that would add? The 1993 Maloo is pretty affordable, it would cost more to ship than the actual purchase price of the Maloo which is estimated to be around $3-5k.

It’s not quite as good looking as the current Maloo but I could keep it RHD and it costs waaaaaaaaaay less money.

I might import one of these.

Are the older Maloos still 'Vette engined? A newer one would be awesome, but the older is still a head turner.

It has a 5 litre engine so some kind of Chevy 305 or something I suppose. The power isn’t terrible for such an old car. (240ish hp)

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
I found an import company on Facebook that has imported Australian vehicles in the past. They quoted me about $7500 for fees, paperwork and shipping but unfortunately that is to California so I’d need to still ship it to the east coast. I wonder how much cost that would add? The 1993 Maloo is pretty affordable, it would cost more to ship than the actual purchase price of the Maloo which is estimated to be around $3-5k.

sounds like a road trip

... owning a ute is a lot of fun.

An ideal sports car - two doors, big trunk.
That V8 sound.

During the week, it takes all your tools, ladders, pipes, dog(s) and lunch.

Weekend - remove the tools, the dogs, the ladder, lunch... and race.

BRute racing - 3:13 of Brute carnage



Ford and Holden (GM) badge rivalry.

Ford utes still use a leaf spring at the rear and cloth upholstery.
Holden (GM) utes have independent rear suspension, leather seats.

--chris

That is excellent! I loved how the announcers apologized for the racer who began cussing when he broke down . That looks like a FUN race series.

There are laws covering modifications lifting trucks in Australia. The link below covers recent changes.

https://mr4x4.com.au/4x4-suspe...n-lift-laws-changed/