How good would a ute featuring V8 Supercar underpinnings be? Well, there’s no need to imagine because Garry Rogers Motorsport did just that.
Built back in 2001 to fulfil a Holden Motorsport program, a wild Commodore VU ute was produced as a display and ride car.
Garry Roger Motorsport was supported by Holden at the time as later it developed the Bathurst 24 Hour winning 427 Monaros and this wild concept was given to the team to build.
An ex-Gibson Motorsport VS Commodore was used for its components and was in fact the Sega-backed used by Mark Skaife in 1996, which has since been restored back to this paint scheme.
The engine, suspension, driveline, brakes and electronics were used from the Gibson Motorsport Commodore for the GRM-built ute, while a roll cage was installed for safety ahead of its reveal in September 2001.
Gaining the name ‘Thunder’, it was displayed at Bathurst the next month and created quite the excitement.
Still remaining in the hands of GRM, it has participated in plenty of ride days and is a favourite due to its H-pattern gearbox.
The likes of Jack Perkins, Scott McLaughlin and Garth Tander have been behind the wheel.
It was parked when GRM entered a new factory association with Volvo in 2013 and is still retained by the team.