2001 HSV HRT Edition Maloo: Surprise, surprise

Every now and again, a car pops up on the classifieds that causes a stir. A flurry of interest, if you will. Well, this week, we had such an occurence, as the illusive 2001 HSV HRT Edition Maloo suddenly appeared on Carsales.

What else can be said that hasn’t already been said back in 2001. A 6.2 litre 350kws Callaway Tuned LS6, wild styling, magnesium 20 inch rims and showcar level stereo and interior fitout. The HSV HRT Edition Maloo was a brutish, one off, based concept car that was set to shock and awe.

You may know the story of how then Tickford boss, David Flint, criticised the claimed 350kw. David blasted the HRT Maloo as being “utterly irresponsible”, claiming it was too much power. This horrified pimply 16 year old me- who had a hard on for kilowatts and fast Fords. Would I ever get the ludicrous Ford I dreamt of?

This fabled tail (as retold in the below classified) was marketing gold for HSV, and they hammed it up. Irresponsible? Who gives a fuck. Everyone with half a brain knows Aussies just wanted more power under the hoods of their Sedans, Wagons and Utes. They couldn’t care less if they died in a burning fireball at the helm of an 350kw Vauxhall. As long as they had more power than their neighbours Ford. Unsurprisngly, Tickford tapped out at 250kw in their 2001 T3 AU’s – a whole 100kw less than what HSV were proposing.

The HRT Maloo was an reportedly an evaluation piece, used to gauge the market whilst touring Motor Shows (RIP). Whilst it definitely inspired the VE Maloo (6 years on), I can’t help but think HSV were also flexing their muscle. After all, in 2001, HSV were king of the Aussie performance cars- and they were sure to remind everyone. Especially Ford, who were struggling with the AU. Holden and HSV were on a winner with the reliable LS motors, which offered big power and great aftermarket support. The HRT Maloo was just another twist of the knife for Ford, who would not have a decent rebuttle until the arrival of the iconic Barra motor.

The HRT Maloo got beer swilling Aussies everywhere excited, and when the VE Maloo finally arrived, they were already at half mast thanks to this car.

So here we are, 19 years later, and where has this car been hiding? Like me, you are probably shocked to see it for sale. The question remains as to whether it’s road legal, however the rear exit exhaust (as opposed to side) indicates possibly. With only 411km on the odometer, its hard to imagine it’s moved very far since 2001, so who knows. Lets just hope that 350kw was getting turned over regularly.

Strangely enough, my buddy sent me a blurry photo of it travelling on a car transporter a few months back (source unknown). Sitting alongside it was a Ferrari 488, VN Group A and W427. Perhaps some indication of the current owner?

If you were one of those beer-swilling Aussies that frothed hard on the HSV HRT Edition Maloo back in 2001, then you can now buy it. $248,888 bones will find your butt planted in what has to the most sought after Aussie Utes ever built. Find the ad on Carsale here.

2001 HSV HRT Edition Maloo: In the owners own words

For sale a blue chip unique asset 1 of 1 built HSV. If the HSV emblem wasnt enough the joint venture took place with Australias best Holden duo HRT and HSV to build a whopping 350kw HRT edition Maloo Ute utilising a 6.2L 5 years prior to Holden unleashing the 6.2L powerplant in holdens line of cars.

Quoted by tickfords mr flint at the time the car was built as a very very scary Ute

For the full specifications on the HRT Maloo WHICHCAR HRT MALOO

HRT and HOLDENS Special Vehicles has been heavily criticised by fast Ford supremo David Flint for displaying a 350kW concept ute at the Sydney motor show.

Mr Flint said the Maloo HRT Edition was “a very nice looking car, but from a power perspective utterly irresponsible”.

The concept’s power output from a 6.2-litre version of the Chev Gen III V8, dubbed LS6 by HSV, is 50kW above the nearest production HSV and 100kW above the Ford T3 T-Series and XR8 ute launched in Sydney.

HSV is considering a limited run of 350kW cars after a positive response to the concept.

Tickford Vehicle Engineering, which Mr Flint runs, developed the 5.6-litre version of the Windsor V8 that powers the new Fords, as well as building the XR range of sports Falcons.

Mr Flint finished saying he was concerned about the sheer power levels generated by the LS6 engine and also its installation in a ute.

“I think it’s (350kW) scary, very scary, particularly in a car like that,” he said.