HSV Maloo converted to left-hand drive heads to auction in the US

A rare HSV Maloo supercharged V8 ute – which has been imported to the US and privately converted to left-hand drive – is heading to auction this month.

Listed by Mecum Auctions, this ‘Sting Red’ HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) Maloo R8 LSA started its life in Australia after rolling off the Walkinshaw production line in Clayton, Melbourne in 2016.

The ad claims the original owner of the Maloo shipped the vehicle to the US at some point in its life, and commissioned specialist firm Left Hand Utes to switch its steering wheel, pedals and other ancillary equipment to the other side of its interior.

Based in Denver, Colorado, Left Hand Utes imports Australia’s high-performance commercial vehicles to the US where they are made legal for the local laws.

Often using parts from US-delivered Holden Commodores – sold in the US as the Pontiac G8 from 2007 to 2009, and the Chevrolet SS from 2013 to 2017 – Left Hand Utes can make vehicles legal for use on US roads even if they are much younger than the country's 25-year minimum age rule for imported vehicles.

In a 2019 post on Facebook, the firm claimed to have converted a HSV Maloo GTSR – one of the last-ever high-performance Holdens – to left-hand drive.

In another post, Left Hand Utes uploaded a photo of this red HSV Maloo R8 LSA in Tennessee with the number plate ‘U WNT 1’ – a nod to HSV's ‘I just want one’ advertising slogan in Australia.

According to the Mecum Auctions listing, this Maloo is fitted with a supercharged 6.2-litre ‘LSA’ V8 – introduced in 2015 with the 'Gen-F2' update – sending 400kW/671Nm to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

However, the high-performance ute’s owner has since modified the HSV with a cold air intake, headers and a larger supercharger pulley, allowing it to make a claimed 466kW at the rear wheels.

Inside, the Maloo is upholstered in ‘Red Hot’ and black trim, reflecting its exterior paintwork.

There is no indication of how much the HSV Maloo is expected to sell for, though in Australia, local used-car pricing guide Redbook estimates local examples are worth between $95,000 to $103,000 on the private market.

When new in 2016, the HSV Maloo R8 LSA was priced from $79,490 plus on-road costs.

It won’t be the only Australian-made HSV going under the hammer with Mecum in Chattanooga, with the auction house also listing a 2011 Clubsport R8 Tourer Wagon – though the long-roof model has not been converted to left-hand drive.

Mecum’s Chattanooga auction is due to run from October 13-14 US time, and is planned to include approximately 600 vehicles.

How much do you think this left-hand-drive HSV is worth? Let us know in the comments below.