Chevy Never Built A Colorado V8, But Holden Did Before GM Killed It

As much as fans wanted one, GM never offered a V8 version of the Chevy Colorado or its GMC Canyon twin, and neither did Holden in Australia. It came pretty darn close, though. Holden Special Vehicles, the brand’s performance arm formed in 1987 through a local joint venture with the Walkinshaw Group, built a production-intent prototype packing a mighty V8 before the plug got pulled.

Seven years later, that one-off is up for grabs in Australia, and whoever buys it gets the Ford Ranger Raptor rival that never reached production.

More: The Most Expensive Holden Road Car Ever Sold Is A Pickup That Almost Became A Pontiac

The prototype is named the HSV Colorado SportsCat V8, and it’s listed for sale by Young Timers Garage (YTG) at a steep AU$299,000 (US$211,200 at current rates) before taxes. That makes it one of the most expensive pickups on sale in Australia right now, though it still undercuts modified imports of the Ford F-350 and Chevy Silverado HD. The SportsCat last changed hands in 2021, when Walkinshaw auctioned it for AU$205,000 (US$144,800).

What Makes It So Special?

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The SportsCat V8 made its debut in 2019. Unlike the production-spec Colorado SportsCat that came fitted with a standard 2.8-liter turbodiesel, this one got GM’s naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8. The LT1 powertrain is the same one found in the C7 Corvette and the sixth-gen Camaro, and it’s said to produce 469 hp (350 kW / 476 PS) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque.

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Dropping a small-block V8 into a midsize truck took real work. According to CarExpert, Walkinshaw fabricated custom engine mounts, an airbox, a fuel system, an ECU, fresh wiring, prop shafts, and a modified 4×4 transfer case pulled from the Chevy Silverado.

Besides the engine transplant, the truck features a custom chassis setup with unique remote-reservoir dampers, a 1-inch lift kit, heavy-duty sway bars, reinforced front strut tower bracing and a rear anti-roll bar. Stopping power has also been enhanced with larger AP Racing brakes.

Young Timers Garage

Visually, the truck is finished in a Panorama Silver shade and comes with a SportCat bodykit including custom bumpers and grille, a body-colored skid plate, wide fender extensions, a hood dome, a sports bar, and a hard tonneau cover. The 18-inch forged alloy wheels run special all-terrain tires.

More: The US Got A New Colorado, Brazil Got The Old One With A Lift Kit Instead

Inside, there’s suede and black leather upholstery with red stitching, a pair of sports seats, HSV badging, and a special plaque on the center console. The odometer reads 25,100 km (16,600 miles), so this prototype has lived a life beyond the show stand. It also comes with SV8CAT promotional plates, the original books, manuals, and memorabilia.

So Why Did They Cancel It?

While the HSV Colorado SportsCat V8 was developed for production, plans were cancelled in early 2020 when General Motors decided to close down Holden and sell the Thai factory where the donor truck was being produced.

This means the prototype was the last V8-powered HSV ever developed, making it even more special for Aussie collectors. It remains to be seen whether anyone will part with AU$300k for the privilege of owning the only example of a cancelled project.

Photos Young Timers Garage