This HSV GTSR W1 Maloo features SupaShock suspension, AP Racing brakes, and 20-inch alloy wheels shod with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires for benchmark performance.

The Maloo shares its powertrain with the W1 sedan, boasting a 474kW/815Nm 6.2-litre supercharged V8 (LS9) paired to a six-speed Tremec manual, and it carries just 26km on the odometer with no road registration.

Uniquely, this vehicle is the only one painted in XU3 Yellow, matching the 1996 HSV VS GTS-R color, and carries build number 001 of only four produced secretly by HSV in 2017.

Other notable landmark sales — including a 1971 Ford Falcon GT-HO Phase III at $1.3 million in 2021 and a 1982/83 Bathurst-winning VH Commodore that fetched about $2.1 million in 2018 — illustrate strong market appetite for historic Australian performance cars.

Its sister car, a GTSR W1 Maloo finished in Light My Fire, sold for over $1.05 million in 2021, setting a high benchmark for Australian road-car collectibles.

A high-demand historical note underpins the current auction fever for ultra-rare Australian muscle cars, with enthusiasts and investors increasingly seeking limited-build models with genuine historical significance.

An ultra-rare HSV GTSR W1 Maloo ute is up for auction at Lloyds Auctions, with bidding closing around midday AEST on the weekend, and the sale could top the $1 million mark.

Lloyds Auctions’ chief operating officer notes ongoing demand for ultra-rare Australian muscle cars and their potential long-term value, driven by limited production and authentic historical significance.