When the Holden HSV GTSR W1 Maloo goes under the hammer next week it will likely become Australia's most expensive locally-made road car.
Up for sale with Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers, the ute is carrying an eye-watering bid of $1.035 million (or $1,035,000 in long form).
Provided the sale goes through, it will overtake the 1971 Ford GTHO Phase III Falcon as the most expensive Aussie car.
The 1971 Ford GTHO Phase III Falcon was once owned by Aussie fast bowler Jeff Thompson. It sold for $1.03 million ($1,030,000) in 2018.
To be the most expensive Aussie car period, it would have to beat Peter Brock's 1982 HDT VH Commodore SS which sold for $2.1 million in 2018. But a road-going car that was not.
So what makes this Commodore ute so valuable? Rarity, for one. Just four of these W1 Maloo vehicles were ever made, and were never made public. The special run of vehicles were reportedly only made for HSV VIPs. It's got just 682 kilometres on the clock. (Lloyds Auctions)Then there's the nostalgia too. As a GTSR W1, and a 2017 build date, it represents perhaps the pinnacle of Aussie-made utes before Holden was forced to shut down local production.
As Lloyds describes in the official listing, it may well be "Australia's most collectible muscle car" and all bidders on the car will need to be pre-approved. The Maloo is being sold unregistered.
As you might expect, it has all the go-fast bits you could ever need in something worth more than the average property in Sydney. Alcantara, carbon fibre, and a distinct Aussie feel. (Lloyds Auctions)Under the bonnet is a 6.2 litre supercharged LS9 V8 engine, mated to a TR6060 close-ratio six-speed manual for maximum driving delight.
If you're a numbers person (which for seven figures, you either are or you aren't), the Maloo can dish out 474kW power and 815Nm of torque.
The orange duco is a colour called "Light My Fire" and you can barely swing a finger inside the cabin without hitting alcantara or carbon fibre. "You can shut the gate on this one, Maxie... it's the duck's guts!": Mad Max would be proud of this supercharged monster. (Lloyds Auctions)The Maloo is being sold unregistered, but I'm sure you would no trouble with running it over the pits.
What's more spectacular, is the potential for this price point. At the time of publishing, the current bid is $1.035 million.
There's still one hour and 11 days until the sale closes, and anyone who has competed on eBay knows the final stretch is where the real buyers play their hand.
For those curious, you can see the listing – and have yourself confirmed for bidding – at Lloyds website here.
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