Here are five jaw-dropping examples of classic Aussie utes that will leave you in awe. From subtle modifications to extreme overhauls, these retro utes have been transformed into masterpieces. Whether you're a car enthusiast or just appreciate fine craftsmanship, these custom utes are sure to impress.
The world of vehicle modification is vast, offering endless possibilities from minor tweaks under the hood to extravagant external modifications. Even the most basic stock ute can be transformed into a show-stopping vehicle with the right modifications. While we specialize in ute canopies at The Ute Canopy Co, there's something uniquely captivating about retro utes that have been taken to extraordinary new heights. Here are five custom retro utes that will truly make you drool.
The Holden EH is a classic, and sometimes simplicity is the key to its transformation. This stunning example, owned by Ben Sacilottos, was handed down to him by his father. The transformation from a decades-old Sunday cruiser to the beast it is today was a five-year project undertaken by the renowned retrotech EH builders, the Desisto Brothers, alongside the Sacilottos family.
Ben Sacilottos recalls the process vividly: "We took it off the road to raise the ride height, fit new wheels, fix the gaps, and do a few minor rust repairs," he told Street Machine. "That turned into a full ground-up rebuild and became a five-year project." The finished project is a far cry from the lumbering ute handed down from father to son. It features a supercharged 3.8-liter engine, oyster leather (including in the tray), a custom paint job, and custom interiors, including a polished Billet Specialties steering column and wheel and a custom grille.
The Holden FX, the first-ever Holden, is widely regarded as the great Australian vehicle. Despite its long history, you won't find many as pristine as this one driving around today. This FX, owned by Mark Riek, retains the car's authenticity while bringing it into the modern world with tasteful modifications both inside and out.
Mark found his FX for a thousand dollars on eBay, rusted and a wreck, and spent endless hours alongside his father John working on bringing the exteriors back to life. For every hour spent on the exteriors, Mark put at least twice as much into working on what is underneath. The engine is an original Holden grey six, featuring a Garrett T25 turbocharger, PWR water-to-air intercooler, and an electronic fuel injection system with a MoTeC M84 ECU. The FX also features VL Commodore rack-and-pinion steering, a HG Holden collapsible column and column-shift mechanism, and VS Commodore disc brakes. To top it off, Mark managed to source 16-inch Smoothie steel wheels for that crucial retro look.
Does this one look familiar? It should. This customized HJ ute appears in the opening scene of Mad Max sitting outside Fat Nancy’s Cafe. Owned by John Zeigler, this inky black beast features a Holden Caprice nose with S Class Mercedes Benz headlights and a custom grille, and a GMH spoiler that was a prototype that never made it to production.
Under the hood lies a stock 350 Chev engine with a Sig Erson cam, Pacemaker headers, and a Turbo 400 transmission. The icing on the cake is the door handles, or rather, the lack thereof. Instead of standard handles, this sleek demon features Ford boot-release buttons hidden underneath the outside mirrors. Very cool.
Darren Ryan always dreamed of owning an old Holden FJ ute, but it wasn’t until a cancer scare that he decided to make his dream a reality. Ryan’s father had raced FJs back in the 60s, so he’d always wanted one. When what was thought to be lung cancer turned out to be sarcoidosis, he began his quest to bring his dream to life. After buying and towing home a completely destroyed 50s FJ, Ryan set out on a long and exciting (albeit expensive) journey to bring it back to life.
Under the hood lies a 5.0-liter VQ Statesman engine, T700 transmission, and electronics. The old hunk was then fitted with a new driveline, VR BorgWarner differentials with 3.45s, Truetrac LSD, and 31-spline axles, VR Commodore slotted discs, and Showwheels KWC Forged split-spoke rims. Inside and out, it is surprisingly clean and simple, maintaining its retro looks with a few modern necessities. The ute won first place in the 2015 Queensland Hot Rod Show – it’s not hard to see why.
We had to include a Ford in here, and this one is an incredible example of a modified 71’ XY Falcon. Leo Martino bought his ute off a mate who’d had it sitting in a carport for years. It was badly rusted and required a lot of bodywork, including new door skins and lower front guards, new custom rear chassis rails, lower rear quarters, and a new beaver panel along with a fuel tank filler and door, all done by panel beater Mars Trupkovic, who also gave the ute its killer green paint job.
While the exteriors are undoubtedly cool, what lies under the hood is something else altogether. A Competition Engines 700hp, 440-cube engine is what you can see sticking out of the bonnet, complete with CHI 3V Cleveland heads, a CHI 3V inlet manifold, a Dominator carburetor, MSD ignition, custom radiator, Magnafuel pump, ASR sump, a custom dual 3in exhaust, fused to 2in primaries and 3.5in collectors. Phew.
These custom retro utes are more than just vehicles; they are works of art, each with its own unique story and transformation journey. Whether you're a fan of Holdens or Fords, these utes showcase the incredible potential of vehicle modification and the passion of their owners. For more inspiration and detailed stories, check out Street Machine and other reputable sources.
These stats highlight the rich history and significance of these classic vehicles, making their custom transformations even more impressive.
Clocked: Happy Media’s gaming channel, one year on
In just over a year, Clocked has grown from a new channel into a significant traffic source for Happy Media.
How to grow your YouTube viewership from existing editorial channels
So you've got a website that's getting hits – here's how to build a YouTube channel from what you already have.
The Wonders Of Alternate Guitar Tunings
Favourite Guitar Tunings And Their Application
