Another Holden in the Family :)

Been procrastinating about getting another Holden for quite a while now, and with the good wife's blessing today I am picking up a VU SS Ute. Found what I hope is a pretty good example for what is nearly a 20 year old ute. It seems to have been well loved and the previous owner (a Holden employee) converted the entire front to the Export GTO bar and bonnet using Genuine Holden parts. Actually it was the GTO front that got my attention, I reckon it looks great and definitely sets it apart from other VU Utes. Will post up some photos later this arvo when I get it home.

Cheers

Sounds like a great find Rod :goodjob:

Looking forward to watching the build thread, what blower are you fitting? :hide:

Or twin Snails perhaps :up2sum: :lol:

Stop it you two, you will get me in the shit :)

Picked her up a few hours ago and been driving it around for a bit. Quick assessment. Fkn gutless lol. Other than that, the exterior is mint. The cabin however smells like someones arse crack (went straight to Supercheap and go one of those Meguiars odour bombs, hopefully it works). Also needs some cosmetic work, including replacing the usual broken stuff gives up not long after you buy a VT-VX based Commodore ie Hinged door under stereo. Might replace the carpet. Steering wheel needs recovering and door speaker have had the shit kicked out of them. Other than that, very happy. Love the front end. Oh, and yes the Chev badge will be gone as soon as I can locate some fishing line.

Looks well cared for Rod.
Is it auto or manual? :cheers:


Love the colour! :yup: :lol:

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Originally Posted by whitels1ss

Looks well cared for Rod.
Is it auto or manual? :cheers:


Love the colour! :yup: :lol:

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Auto Ed. The exterior is very much loved, the cabin not so much. Maybe I expect too much from what is essentially a work vehicle.

At least it is easy & cheap to get stuff to replace what you need.

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Originally Posted by whitels1ss

At least it is easy & cheap to get stuff to replace what you need.

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Sure is mate. I have already found a few trim pieces on ebay, just got to ensure they are right shade of grey :)

Could even go for a walk around U-PULL-IT

you might be able to find a decent ute carpet somewhere. :yup:

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Originally Posted by whitels1ss

Could even go for a walk around U-PULL-IT

you might be able to find a decent ute carpet somewhere. :yup:

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Good idea, there is one right near where I work. Although, the carpet is only about $140 brand new (non genuine).

I would rather fit a good, genuine Holden used carpet.


The aftermarket ones never seem to fit quite as well or look totally original in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by whitels1ss

I would rather fit a good, genuine Holden used carpet,
the aftermarket ones never seem to fit quite as well or look totally original in my opinion.

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Agree Ed, I bought an aftermarket for our old Nissan ute and it was a bastard to fit, including cutting pieces out to fit it under the dash and trans tunnel.

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Originally Posted by BLACK 346

Agree Ed, I bought an aftermarket for our old Nissan ute and it was a bastard to fit,
including cutting pieces out to fit it under the dash and trans tunnel.

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Seen that before. :lol:

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Originally Posted by BLACK 346

Picked her up a few hours ago and been driving it around for a bit. Quick assessment. Fkn gutless lol. Other than that, the exterior is mint. The cabin however smells like someones arse crack (went straight to Supercheap and go one of those Meguiars odour bombs, hopefully it works). Also needs some cosmetic work, including replacing the usual broken stuff gives up not long after you buy a VT-VX based Commodore ie Hinged door under stereo. Might replace the carpet. Steering wheel needs recovering and door speaker have had the shit kicked out of them. Other than that, very happy. Love the front end. Oh, and yes the Chev badge will be gone as soon as I can locate some fishing line.

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Looks very clean Rod, wish my ute was as clean as yours! :goodjob:

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Originally Posted by Micks

Looks very clean Rod, wish my ute was as clean as yours! :goodjob:

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Cheers Mick. Will be cleaner soon :) It has a good home now ;)

Just what the Blue Screen needs at the moment a good project Ute :thumbsup:

It has some aftermarket 18 inch rims on it also, they all have gutter rash. I googled them and can replace the entire set for $500. I actually don't mind them but not sure whether to stick with aftermarket or hunt down some originals? What you guys think?

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Originally Posted by Micks

Just what the Blue Screen needs at the moment a good project Ute :thumbsup:

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You are a bad man Mick lol :)

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Originally Posted by BLACK 346

You are a bad man Mick lol :)

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Guilty as charged ya Honour :lmao:

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Originally Posted by BLACK 346

It has some aftermarket 18 inch rims on it also, they all have gutter rash.
I googled them and can replace the entire set for $500.
I actually don't mind them but not sure whether to stick with aftermarket or hunt down some originals?
What you guys think?

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I would put something original Holden or HSV on it Mick,
perhaps a set of VYSS 18's? :cheers:


There have been a few sets of OEM wheels on marketplace lately.

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Originally Posted by whitels1ss

I would put something original Holden or HSV on it Mick,
perhaps a set of VYSS 18's? :cheers:


There have been a few sets of OEM wheels on marketplace lately.

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Ed it's "Rods" vehicle ;) :lol:

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Originally Posted by Micks

Ed it's "Rods" vehicle ;) :lol:

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Mick, please scroll back.....


he did ask the question in his post

"What you guys think?"

Well, I replied to his question! :teach: :stick: :lmao:

I would love to do something like this. Pick up a VX SS and slowly work away at returning it to as new condition. Unfortunately the budget is not there at this stage and neither is the wife's blessing [emoji1787]
I look forward to seeing the updates and what you do with this car

I'm personally not a fan of the GTO look, but still looks mint.

I've been keeping my eye on the VU market myself, well, my wife has made me so not letting that one slide.

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Originally Posted by CLUBRED

I'm personally not a fan of the GTO look, but still looks mint.

I've been keeping my eye on the VU market myself, well, my wife has made me so not letting that one slide.

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Yes, I have had mixed reactions to it already :) Not everyone's cup of tea that is for sure.

Going to look at a set of VU SS Fifty Wheels tomorrow. They are 17's so hope if I do buy them that they don't look too small.

From what I have seen you post about your wheels in the past
I doubt you would be content with those 17's Rod. :lol:

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Originally Posted by whitels1ss

From what I have seen you post about your wheels in the past
I doubt you would be content with those 17's Rod. :lol:

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That is what worries me Ed. But, they are OEM wheels that this model of ute came with, so maybe they are the right way to go?

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Originally Posted by BLACK 346

That is what worries me Ed. But, they are OEM wheels that this model of ute came with, so maybe they are the right way to go?

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Yeah, I do like the OEM type wheel but Mick told me it is not my car! :whip:

:lmao:

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Originally Posted by whitels1ss

Yeah, I do like the OEM type wheel but Mick told me it is not my car! :whip:

:lmao:

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I give you permission to advise :) I am driving to Tailem to look at them so hope they meet my expectations.

A mate of mine is going to the bend tomorrow for a breakfast & drive thing
he wanted me to go as well but it is a bit hard to get up early enough to be at the start for 7.30am.

As I posted before, I reckon look for a set of VY SS 18's
I just reckon they would look good on there. :cheers:

There have been a couple of sets advertised around here in the last couple of months
but I already have 2 spare sets of wheels for my SS & 2 spare sets of wheels for my Ford as well. :doh: :hide:

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Originally Posted by whitels1ss

A mate of mine is going to the bend tomorrow for a breakfast & drive thing
he wanted me to go as well but it is a bit hard to get up early enough to be at the start for 7.30am.

As I posted before, I reckon look for a set of VY SS 18's
I just reckon they would look good on there. :cheers:

There have been a couple of sets advertised around here in the last couple of months
but I already have 2 spare sets of wheels for my SS & 2 spare sets of wheels for my Ford as well. :doh: :hide:

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VY SS Would certainly be my preference but they seem to command a pretty high price from what I see on ebay. Will have another look.

What about these, if you are going to Tailem?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...7783149263324/

Or these?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...6165835542182/

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Originally Posted by whitels1ss

What about these, if you are going to Tailem?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...7783149263324/

Or these?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...6165835542182/

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Thanks Ed, I like the Monaro rims, will contact them and have a look.

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Originally Posted by BLACK 346

Thanks Ed, I like the Monaro rims, will contact them and have a look.

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Yeah, I reckon they would look great on there.

Even if they have a few scratches those type of wheels come up well with a good sanding & polish.

Update....

Ended up getting the SS Fifty rims, they are in fantastic condition and I just like the look of them. The fact they are for that particular vehicle also swayed me.
Have spent nearly 8 hours scrubbing the interior and doing various odd jobs. Have purchased the following parts so far:

Centre console pocket (the one under the stereo). The door mechanism is broken as it is with most of them. That was $45 on ebay.
Custom mats with SS Embroidered into them in red to match the seats and instrument panel. That were $60 delivered.
Flex wiper blades. $20 on ebay.
Third brake light in aftermarket LED. The OEM Holden one was $365. LED aftermarket $60 delivered.
The wheels. $400.
Lion tail gate badge, $46 from Holden. Not going to put it on but thought I would grab one to keep.
Bonnet gas struts $17 delivered on ebay.

Still to buy I have, 2 x seat rails plastic covers, the cup holder insert and speaker grills for the door. All this I hope to get from Commbits in Salisbury next week.

Recovered leather steering wheel can be had from ebay for $165.

Sent out for a couple of quotes to re trim the headliner, but $120 seems to be the common theme on forums.

Needs a new electric aerial, aftermarket they are around $50, but not sure of quality or ease of fitment, so will do a bit more research on that.

Have done cold air mod on airbox and added a k and n filter. Seems to have livened the old girl up a bit also which is a bonus.

Will do plugs next week and put the aftermarket plug leads that I have sitting in the shed on, getting rid of the stock ones with metal heat shields.

Half the dash display globes are blown which shits me, but that can wait.

Aircon blows nice outside temperature air, so that is going to need some attention. I hope it just needs a service and gas.

And finally, booked in the ERASADENT to get a small dent in the tailgate removed, it is the only dent or scratch for that matter on the entire vehicle, but it is fkn with my head :)

Oh and wifey hates the exhaust. No making some people happy, to quiet and sounds like her Dads old F100 she reckons lol. I put my head underneath and can see why, it is a twin system of unknown origin that exits on both sides of the ute, but it has not merge at all. It won't be a priority, but Manta seem to be the only ones that make a catback that exits on both sides, so will probably grab one of them down the track. They look pretty good value for around $1100.

Looking as though you are getting everything underway well Rod. :cheers:

Just on the metal heat shields I kept mine when fitted the thicker MSD leads as I find with the headers they do help protect them a fair bit aye.