Back in 2003, Aussie custom car magazine Street Machine was handed the keys to a Holden ute that had been used as a development mule with an enticing proposal: “have a bit of fun with it – nothing too extravagant – then give it away”.
What it ended up becoming was a fully-fledged show car destined for the mag’s stand at Summernats 17 after appearing on the cover of the magazine in January 2004.
By that point, it had been christened VUFORU in honour of another Street Machine giveaway car, HQFORU back in 1986.
Earlier this year, the magazine ended up buying VUFORU back over 20 years after it was first given away. Having restored it to its former glory over the course of a few months, it was given away in June 2026.
But now, a couple of months later, it’s set to change hands once more when it crosses the online auction block via RR Auctions, Retro Rides’ sister site.
Today, VUFORU serves as a true time capsule of the early-to-mid 2000s era of modified cars, featuring more than a few custom touches that would be scarcely seen today.
The VU Holden ute was first painted in a design concocted by Stylemaster Designworks, wearing black over green with purple flames, which comes teamed with an all-red interior complete with Sparco buckets.
Perhaps the most controversial touch – as Street Machine itself noted at the time – was a gigantic set of 24-inch chrome rims in the rear, requiring a mini-tubbed rear with 100mm longer arches. The selection was made due to BF Goodrich having launched 24-inch G-Force tyres at the time.
Naturally, the Gen III V8 under the bonnet was also given a tickle with a Crow cam and chip tune for an unmistakeable lumpy idle heard through its Di Filippo exhaust. Central Diffs also fitted it with a 3.9:1 ratio limited-slip diff.
For those who missed out on the Street Machine giveaway back in June this year, now is your second chance to get your hands on a slice of history from the Aussie show car heyday.
Bidding is live on the RR Auctions website from August 17-26, 2026. You can find out more details and place your bids by clicking here to head to the listing.
