1944' Chevrolet Holden Ute

Background and History - Chevrolet Holden Ute

This Maple Leaf Chevrolet 15cwt Ute has led an interesting life. It was built at the General Motors car plant in Oshawa, Canada, as a model 1311 – ½-ton light commercial vehicle – serial number 1734. It was produced as a flat-bonnet chassis complete with axles and transmission.

The original 216, straight-six 3540cc OHV engine, rated at 236hp at 3300 rpm, was individually crated with the wheels and hood removed for easy shipment. This Chevrolet was sent to the GM Holden factory in Perth, Western Australia, where it was sent to another plant.

Here it was reassembled and fitted with a one-piece body (replacing the original bulkhead panel) built at Holden's Woodville factory in Adelaide, South Australia. It is believed less than 1000 were produced between 1942 and 1945 and my Ute still has the original brass data plate mounted in the engine compartment stating it was number 822. The rare military dash also survived intact, which is extremely rare. Although the vehicle is popularly referred to as a Ute, the Official Australian Army labels it as a 15cwt GS (General Service) van.

The original spec includes a three-speed manual 'crash' (non-syncro) gearbox with a reverse gear, hydraulic drum brakes all round, a six-volt electrical system and a 16-gallon fuel tank, good for a range of approximately 360km/ 224 miles.

The electrics were updated to a 12volt system in 2021, but I still have the original 6volt army generator and the 6volt starter motor is still in use. Unfortunately there is no information on the actual track record of the Ute and the earliest known history is that it was discovered on a sheep farm near Kukerin, Dumbleyung, Western Australia, in 1994, still with its military green lacquer, heavily patinated and a little rough around the edges - see photo.

The ute was restored in 2001 in a civilian guise, complete with cream paint and shiny chrome hubcaps and front bumper, which actually complemented that beautiful 'Waterfall' grille - see photo. When the Ute arrived in the UK in 2006 it was an excellent example indeed, but it was decided the cream paintwork should go, but it would be almost sacrilege to paint over the extremely well preserved grille and bumper.

Being of the late war, the previous owners decided to return Matilda, as it was affectionately known, to a brilliant glossy forest green from 1945/ 1946. The Ute's Military Markings are fictitious and did not exist in 1944. The Ute also comes with a variety of original military items from 1944; Jerry cans, tools, hand pumps etc Work completed by Kona Classic - The Hague from December 2020 to August 2021:

Full rebuild of original 216 engine - matching numbers engine
New 12 volt generator and 12 volt lamps
New electric start
New electric fuse box
New electric fuel pump primer
New Old Stock Indicator - late 1940s
New Old Stock Trico Fan with original tags
New White Wall Tyres
Plenty of spare parts

This is a very rare vehicle produced by Chevrolet & Holden Australia and I could safely say, probably the only one in Europe, so please no silly bids/ offers. Do your research... If you're serious, I'll be happy to answer any of your questions.