The Costliest Holden Road Car Ever Auctioned Is A Pickup That Almost Transitioned To A Pontiac | Carscoops

      A rare yellow HSV GTSR W1 Maloo has set records in a private sale, marking a significant moment for GM’s now-defunct Holden brand.

      This high-performance vehicle, equipped with GM’s LS9 V8 engine from the Corvette ZR1, reached a peak bidding amount of AU$1.1 million before a private agreement was finalized. It is the only W1 Maloo finished in Holden’s distinctive Yellah yellow.

      In a historic event for Australian automotive culture, this HSV GTSR W1 Maloo has become the most expensive road-legal Holden ever auctioned, selling for an impressive AU$1.2 million (approximately US$805,000 at current exchange rates).

      Manufactured by GM's Holden Special Vehicles division, only four of these powerful utes were created. This exclusivity adds to its significance, particularly as it was one of the last Holdens produced before GM permanently closed its Australian operations in early 2021.

      The remarkable ute, described as a pickup in Australia, was initially put up for auction by Lloyds Auction just before Christmas but was unsold when bidding only reached AU$1.1 million (US$738,000). Following that auction, the house engaged in private negotiations and successfully reached a deal.

      In the realm of Holdens, this vehicle is exceptionally unique. As production of the Commodore was concluding, HSV produced 295 units of the extreme GTSR W1 sedan, featuring GM’s renowned LS9 6.2-liter supercharged V8 from the C6 Corvette ZR1. They also created four ute versions called Maloo, which were available solely to the brand’s most faithful customers and company directors.

      This particular vehicle stands out as the only one painted in Holden’s iconic Yellah yellow and has a mere 26 kilometers (16 miles) on the odometer since leaving the factory.

      The exact identity of the final buyer remains unverified. However, Australian billionaire Adrian Portelli indicated on Instagram that he was the highest bidder at AU$1.1 million prior to the auction's conclusion. He later remarked that he believed the pickup was worth only AU$800,000 (US$536,000) on a good day, and he already owns two of the four manufactured GTSR W1 Maloos, having purchased the first for AU$1.05 million (US$705,000) in 2021.

      This same yellow vehicle first appeared at auction in August 2021, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, when rare and collectible car prices were on the rise. At that time, bidding reached AU$1.15 million (US$771,000).

      Lloyds Auctions COO Lee Hames stated, “Whispers of doubt turned into roaring reality. This $1.2 million result not only exceeds expectations but demonstrates Lloyds' unmatched expertise in achieving record-breaking sales for Australia’s rarest automotive treasures.”

      An intriguing note in the history of the HSV GTSR W1 Maloo is that its base model, the Holden Ute, almost reached American markets as the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck. GM had even showcased a production-ready version at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.

      This plan was viable since it was built on the same platform as the Pontiac G8 sedan, a rebadged Holden Commodore sold in North America. GM intended to release it as a 2010 model, marking the first coupe-utility vehicle offered in the U.S. market since the Chevrolet El Camino ended production in 1987.

      However, due to the turmoil of the 2008 financial crisis and declining brand sales, Pontiac was closed before the Sport Truck could be produced, causing GM to discontinue the G8 lineup.

      Despite its record-setting price, the AU$1.2 million Maloo does not hold the title of the most expensive Australian-made road car sold. That honor is thought to remain with a 1972 Ford XA Falcon GTHO Phase IV, which reportedly sold for AU$1.75 million in a private deal in 2021.

      Among cars auctioned publicly, another Ford Falcon holds the title. A yellow Phase IV GTHO fetched AU$1.3 million at auction in August 2021, which is widely regarded as the highest price for an Australian road-legal vehicle sold through public bidding.

      Moreover, this Maloo is not the most expensive Holden in any category; that distinction belongs to a Bathurst-winning VH Commodore race car that won titles in both 1982 and 1983, which was sold for AU$2.1 million in 2018, according to Australia’s Drive.

      John Halas contributed to this article.