Gallery: The Weekly Times celebrates beaut utes

A Holden ute from Ballarat has won The Weekly Times’ Beaut Ute competition, beating magnificent makes and models from across Australia. See the restored twin cab and our top 20 picks.

Peter Jeffrey, from Ballarat, with his Holden WB Twin Cab amongst the canola. He says: "It has history, from hauling a caravan and boat on family holidays, to now 25 years on and three restorations later."

Peter Jeffrey’s Holden WB twin cab has been crowned the winner of The Weekly Times’ beaut ute competition.

Mr Jeffrey’s ute was chosen as the cream of the crop by The Weekly Times out of a fantastic selection of beaut utes.

He will win a Saul Swag.

Coming in a close second was Simon Clark's International Harvester AB110, and third was Amanda Todd’s bright orange 1966 VW ute.

The Weekly Times this week celebrated utes of all makes and models - from big rigs, to mean machines, and good things that come in small packages.

They might have been able to attend the Deni Ute Muster originally scheduled for this weekend, but it was sadly postponed, for the second year in a row, due to Covid-19 restrictions. So we wanted to give them their day, even if it is online.

Below are The Weekly Times’ top 20 most impressive utes, in no particular order.

Peter Jeffrey, from Ballarat, with his Holden WB twin cab among the canola. He says: "It has history, from hauling a caravan and boat on family holidays, to now 25 years on and three restorations later."

Simon Clark's International Harvester AB110 is picture perfect. Simon, from Horsham, says he loves his ute that was made in, and is still working hard, in Australia.

Is there anything a ute can't do? Amanda Todd, of Port Welshpool, says her 1966 VW "takes us camping, picnicking and carries everything we need". Being a great conversation starter, it has even picked her up some new friends on the way.

Brett Kuhne, from Larralea, says everyone loves his Holden WB ute. "Ewe wouldn’t believe who tried to pinch it once," he says.

"My ute is the best because it’s got a song about it called “Dodge Ute” on Spotify and iTunes," says Cal Kennedy, of Beechworth, about his 1968 VE Dodge ute.

Linda Aurisch, of Chapple Vale, says her Holden VE SS ute "would only be the best ute with a Saul Swag in the back! That would make my ute perfect".

Now that's a ute! Jack Reschke, from Heathmere, Victoria, shows what his 1997 Holden Rodeo TF is made of. He also owns a 1995 Holden Commodore VR ute.

Winchelsea's Harry Le Lievre says his Ford Falcon BA ute is a family icon.

Alison Pongraz, from Coomealla NSW, says her Holden VY Storm has been her trustworthy work ute for her cleaning business and Alpaca farm for the last 4 1/2 years.

Alex Bowen, of Scoresby, says this 1992 Subaru Brumby can go anywhere. "You just need to look at the picture. It went up a serious 4WD to reach this spot. Stock, no modifications," Alex says.

Zac Turner, from Stanhope, says his 2004 BA XR8 was the 2014 and 2017 Australian National Circlework champion.

Every Aussie boy needs a ute and a dog, says Pam Waldron, from near Corowa. Pictured is her grandson Tomas Ralph, who is now 9, and Piccolo the dog. Pam says her grandson’s family are avid campers and currently in lockdown in Melbourne, desperate to come up to her farm.

Rick Vosper, of Bendigo, says his Holden WB 1 tonner "is therapy on wheels". "Back roads, V8 singing, washes away the world for a minute and built with my own hands."

This vintage ute belonged to Clint Reynolds, of Lethbridge, grandfather. The 1929 Hupmobile sold and left the family for 10 years before they bought it back by chance at a clearing sale.

Wayne Smith, from Dampier, Western Australia, says he dragged his HJ Holden out of the paddock, built a roll cage, dropped in a 308 and rallied it.

Steve (Vinnie) Wirthensohn, of McCrae, Victoria, says his Chrysler VJ Valiant 'The Val Ute' is "as tough as nails, made in Australia, never lets me down."

"I've had her longer than the husband," says Jess Preece, of Wasleys South Australia of her HZ Kingswood. "Looks good, sounds good, makes me happy."

"Stevo is a machine when he’s not carrying things he’s driving the mountains. We love him," says Casee Anderson, from Mount Lonarch, of the 1990 Subaru.

James Hurley, of Narrandera NSW, says his Holden 1975 HJ 1 tonner is a real head-turner. "She's the definition of old school bns ute and an Australian icon. She turns heads anywhere I go," he says.

Rustin Chivell, Horsham, says this Valiant VE Wayfare has done more than 1.6 million kilometres. "My dad bought this Aussie ute new has travelled over one million miles, a unique family ute , it’s special," Rustin says.