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Necoa #: 9315
Location: 21Canada (W. of Ont)
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 14
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:13 pm Post subject: Importing first ute to canada
Hi my name is Jerry I am from Vegreville, Alberta and I am importing a 1991 Holden HSV ute. I know this is an elcamino site but this really is a elcamino with a different name. I have posted some pics in the 5th generation section keep in mind they are from when I was in Australia but the ute will soon be here. I would possibly like to meet with other elcamino owners in the Edmonton area this summer. Let me know what u think of my ute or if u have any questions ask away
Very cool indeed, If you are going through the trouble to import one the HSV is the way to go. My brother in law was over there last year,tried to get him to pick one up for me while he was there How much $ and trouble was it to import?
Necoa #: 9315
Location: 21Canada (W. of Ont)
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 14
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject:
Well I dont actually have it yet it is about half way here but transport canadas only restriction is that any vehicle that does not conform to canadian safety standards is not allowed in unless it is 15 yrs old or older hense why I am importing a 1991. With the work I have done to it it looks similar to the VY HSV ute or 2003 2004 for those who dont know Holdens
Necoa #: 9315
Location: 21Canada (W. of Ont)
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 14
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:41 am Post subject:
I have posted pics already of it in the 5 gen section if you want to see. I just got word today that the boat arrives early next week so I am really excited now
Necoa #: 9315
Location: 21Canada (W. of Ont)
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 14
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:49 am Post subject:
Ya I am not a fan of green vehicles either but this is a unique color that we do not have here in Canada. I saw this color on my first trip to Australia and fell in love with it. These pics dont do it justice as you have to see it in the sunlight to appreciate the color. As for conversion I do not have to change it which is a good thing as it normally costs around 20,000 to convert. Because the vehicle is 15 yrs old I dont have to change it. The ute is a 5 speed although I wish it was a 6 speed like the new ones. It has disk brakes and airconditioning. The enguine is a 304 5 litre that is still stalk with 180kw of power (Australian) or 244Hp (Canadian). I am a born and bread Canadian but in the last couple of years I have obtained a permanent VISA for Australia which allows me to come and go from there. I work in the golf course industry in Canada so in the winter I go over there and work on a golf course until spring. I have lived in Alberta all of my life and now live in Vegreville which is 45 min east of Edmonton on the Yellow Head Hiway. To be honest I have never been a big Elcamino fan until I went to Australia and seen the modern day version of the Elcamino. Since then I have sourced every possible angle to get one of them home. I really wanted a new ute but Canadian import laws would not allow it so this ute I bought at the time was the only one that I could bring over. I was however very fortunate to find this particular ute as it is an extremely rare model. It is an HSV LS ute. There was only 54 of this model of ute ever made and mine is build number 34. I have only known of 2 other LS utes left in existance #'s 33 and 48. So not only is this vehicle unique to Canada but in its own country this is almost a one off.
That is a neat story! And you are fortunate, not to have to change it over to left hand drive. Not to mention, the vehicle being rare. Wonder why they made so little of that particular model? Not that it really matters. . .
Can it be converted to a six speed, without too much expense and work? Or, is it really worth it?
What you should do now, is import one of our El Camino's down there when you have to work there? That way, you have the best of both worlds, going which ever way. . .
Nice story - be sure and post some additional photo's when you get it. Interior, engine, etc.
Necoa #: 9315
Location: 21Canada (W. of Ont)
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 14
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject:
Ya it doesnt really matter if it is a 6 speed or not and it probably would not benefit to spend the money to change it over. I will be posting pics up as soon as I can and for Edmonton and area members maybe we could have a meet and great some time in the near future
Necoa #: 591
Location: 18(N.CA,N.NV)
Joined: Feb 01, 2003
Posts: 225
Year: 1964
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 7:00 pm Post subject:
That's a nice looking ride. I'm not all that familiar with the Utes, although they are definitely cool. What has been done to it at this point? I would expect the wheels are aftermarket, has it been lowered? Are those lower body panels stock? You said this package is rare, but what is special about it to make it different from another Ute? Again, cool ride. I'd buy one if they were easier to import to the US.
Necoa #: 9315
Location: 21Canada (W. of Ont)
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 14
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject:
Actually I have done quite a bit to it: The body kit (Front bumper,rear bumper and side skirts) are after market, the hood is a GTO hood (Monaro hood australia), 18" akuza chrome rims, preformance head lights altezza tail lights, HSV clubsport leather seats, and slim line hard cover. All of these additions have changed the apperance quite drastically but as I stated before I did want a new one and this was my only option. I have taken a 15yr old vehicle and given it a new look. When seeing my ute besides a new one you have to really look to notice that they are different.
Necoa #: 9315
Location: 21Canada (W. of Ont)
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 14
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:38 pm Post subject:
It also has been lowered and I will have fun driving around with some of the potholes in the area but i will be carefull. All of the rest of the car is standard trim for the year. Under the hood on the fire wall is a special plate that designates that the ute is a LS ute and build #34 and that it was built in November 1991. Only HSV vehicles get these and they are a way of being able to tell if a vehicle is legit. Also by the VIN but the plate is cool. Why they only made this ute for 3 yrs and only 54 build I dont know Holden sometimes make short supplies of models to hold value or demand may not have been there at the time as HSV made the Maloo as well in the ute at that time. HSV only makes one ute now and thats the Maloo.
Necoa #: 9315
Location: 21Canada (W. of Ont)
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 14
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:43 pm Post subject:
To this point importation has not been a real issue you source out a shipper, have it delivered to loading area and pick it up when it arrives. It cost me 5700 CAN to ship and a good chunk of that was in insurance. You can pick any rate of insurance and that will determine cost of shipment. Now once I pick it up this week I will find out how tough it is exactly to get it thru customs that could be interesting but so far it has been a breeze
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How much $ and trouble was it to import?
That way, you have the best of both worlds, going which ever way. . . 
