Top Tips for Buying a Used Holden One-Tonne Ute

For 30 years after its 1972 introduction, Holden’s One-Tonne utility was king of Australia’s commercial vehicle world. 

That market today has morphed into the booming 4×4 dual cab ute segment that’s dominated by the likes of Ford and Toyota, with surviving Holden ‘tonners’ being transformed into flashy show ponies at extreme prices.

HQ versions of the Holden One-Tonner used front sheet metal that was similar but not identical to Holden’s 1970s passenger models. The cab could seat three adults in reasonable comfort and sat on a super-tough chassis with leaf rear springs instead of the passenger models’ coils.

Holden One-Tonne Ute – Image wikipedia

During ensuing years, to customize these workhorses some owners fitted bucket seats in place of the standard bench and sometimes the grille and front panels from a Premier or Statesman.

Most One-Tonne pickups were built with 3.3-litre six-cylinder engines, with 4.2- and 5.0-litre V8s also available. Slipping a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) tank under the tray wasn’t difficult and LPG-equipped utes saved around 30 per cent in fuel costs.

A three-speed manual transmission was standard, with a four-speed floor shift or Trimatic automatic as options. Some manual versions have been modified to accept five-speed Toyota gearboxes which further improve performance and economy.

A limited slip differential was optional and is desirable because rear wheel grip when unladen is marginal.

Common modifications include replacing the Holden powertrain with a 350 cubic inch (5.7-litre) Chevrolet V8 and Turbo 400 automatic transmission. Both are ultra reliable and deliver increased performance at minimal cost.

Engine oil leaks are common – especially in V8s – but not a huge worry unless severe. Rear springs need close inspection for cracked leaves.

Mechanical and body woes worsen as distance travelled increases, and some of these hard-working Holdens have by now clocked over one million kilometres. Significant rattles or chassis creaks denote a vehicle that’s probably best left alone.

Cutaway Drawing – Image: Shannons

Demand ensures that even untidy Tonners will command decent money, so expect to pay $12,000 for an HQ-HZ six-cylinder in ordinary condition, while $25,000 should buy a late-1970s model in excellent condition and with V8 power. At the top of the tree, vehicles built to show standard can exceed $50,000.

Things To Watch Out For, When Buying a Used Holden One-Tonne Ute 

  • Engine oil leaks

  • Old LPG systems needing to be replaced

  • Driveline vibration and differential noise

  • Cracked rear springs

  • Loose tray mountings

🛠️ Timeline

2005
$7,000
2010

$8,500

+21.43%
2014

$11,500

+35.29%
2019

$23,500

+104.35%
2024

$33,000

+40.43%
HQ-HZ V8

Investment Rating

5 / 10

Writer & Head Valuer

At age 14, surrounded by stacks of motoring magazines from the local junk shop, Cliff Chambers was warned by a concerned mother that he would ‘Never get anywhere knowing a lot about old cars.’  Seventeen years later when his definitive book, Making Money From Collectable Cars was published, she was proud to be proven wrong.

That was in 1987, but Cliff’s life was already revolving around all things automotive. From working part time in a panel shop while at university, he moved to motor industry consultancy roles and managing a Championship winning rally team.

During the 1990s he joined the classic vehicle insurance industry, at the same time becoming a prolific writer for magazines and motoring websites. Then came his ongoing contribution as one of the country’s leading vehicle valuers.

Away from work, automotive events and objects remain prominent in Cliff’s world. He has owned more than 40 cars now considered ‘classic’ and within his collection of motor-related items there remain some of those magazines acquired as a fact hungry teen.

Cliff brings to Retro Rides a blend of unique industry skills and a love of vehicles that will become more obvious with every contribution he makes to the site.

More in

Buyers Guides

For reasons best known to Toyota Australia the slinky Soarer coupe was never officially imported here, but that didn’t stop…

Nicknamed ‘Mister Two’ from the day it was launched in 1984, Toyota’s mid-engined MR2 was flagged as a mini-Ferrari despite…

If you were American and born during the late 1940s, the car you quite likely had when beginning to drive…

More in

Aussie

Classic cars came out to play at one of Queensland’s biggest and most popular shows, RACQ MotorFest. It is said,…

Anyone who understands the importance of condition and authenticity when buying older vehicles at auction needed only to look at…

The 2025 Northern Beaches Car and Bike Show roared into life at Pittwater RSL on June 28, drawing an enthusiastic…