What do you get when you mix one professional golfer with too much money and a penchant for utes with the best BMW has to offer? You get, erm, whatever the hell this is… In this Top Gear Australia exclusive, we give you a close look (and listen) at Stuart Appleby’s custom M5 ute.
We met Appleby for an interview and photo shoot, but mostly to drool over his car (you’ll find it in January’s Top Gear Australia magazine). We won’t spoil the read for you, but we will say this: It cost a bomb and took over 3,000 man-hours to build.
And, as you’ll soon see, it is very, very loud. Check out the vid below.
Dear Top Gear my name is Charlie I am 10 years old I live in South Australia I was wondering because you liked the Holden HSV sadan you will defenetly like the Holden HSV Ute.It is very fun to drive.
kool ute the Muted GO TOP GEAR GO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh. My. God.
The article was enticing enough, but watching the video… the sound of this thing makes my mouth water, my knees go weak, and other bits do other stuff that can’t be read by 10 year old Charlie.
And you hafta love someone who drives his $250,000 ute barefoot. You can’t help but like a bloke who understands that you need to connect with your vehicle in ways that stupid twits in never-been-offroad 4WD’s can’t comprehend.
Hello? Santa? This is Malibu. Um, is it too early to put in a request for next years Chrissy present? I promise to be really really good all year. And if I got one for Christmas, then Appleby would be compelled to build something else stunningly original and breathtaking. Win-win all round, Santa!
(Although I will take the cop-liveried Lambo on page 25 as a consolation present, okay?)
Omg, what a bogan.
I dont like it…. when you see the front coming towards you. your waiting for the sedan and you see a ute wtf. Yeah the holden/ford utes are aussie icons but why ruin it with a german built ute. Also the bmw badge on the front just looks out of place.
but it does make a nice sound. hmmm kinda sounds like my brothers R8 ute. and it costs less?
If You actually look at his site he says that he used mostly holden ute parts
And so, oh-great-boganhater, what are your credentials?
Built something better, have you? Flicked your Andrew G hair back and created something that makes jaws drop and genuine car-lovers drool?
Please. We’re intrigued to know what qualifies you to put down others.
NICE IDEA 500BHP BMW UTE, IF BEEMER MADE IT I WOULD BUY ONE BUT THEY PROBABLY ROB YE
Ouch. Anyone got any earplugs? Shouting does my head in…
can someone pleeeeeeease do one in FERRARI!!!
why could’nt he just buy a holden and do it up
Money can’t buy taste.
Indicates TGA thinks their audience are similarly inclined.
Probably why much of TGA audience is going elsewhere for motoring relevance.
Just enjoy it for what it is. Loud, different and someone having a bunch of fun with their money. Good on ya Stu
Hear, hear, Will.
Hi im hamish i think appleby’s m5 ute is awesome i would love to go for a spin in it
Got a dollar for the bus cuz?
alli can say is wow all the luxury and prestige of a beemer and all the practicality of a ute and that sound indescribeable good on ya stewey
I would love to see the ute feature on Top Gear OZ 2009.
A+ to Stuart for thinking outside the box
Mmm,yummy!!!. Tyhe name MUTED musnt be applied to the noise, cause it certainly isnt quiet.
Look, I hate to hijack this topic (stop laughing, Corby), but does anyone know what car is featured in the movie my kids made me suffer through today (Drillbit Taylor, and I will confess I laughed out loud a couple of times against my will)?
The black one the bullies drive, when they’re harassing the nerds.
Didn’t have my contact lenses in, so couldn’t see a badge or distinguishing features, but I think I want one. Assuming the manufacturer is still alive’n'kickin’, that is…
Hi Malibu, I think you’ll find it was the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8. At least, IMDB claims it was. Back when Dodge could still afford to build cars. It is rather pretty though, isn’t it…
Awesome ute Stu do what your heart desire’s
I guess if you have the money and 3000 hours to burn…WhyNot!
Why not try a 300C SRT8 Ute? That would look good.
Thanx, TG Australia. I didn’t even think to check IMDB. And now I’m considering Bushby_23’s suggestion…
Yep. I’ll have a 2006 SRT8 ute, thanx. With some spectacular wheels that make little old ladies gasp, and a rumble that makes their pacemakers stop when I’m a kilometre away.
Black would be okay, but a deep, dark, wicked purple-almost-black would be better.
Santa? I know it hasn’t been long since I wanted Appleby’s Mutant, but I’ve changed my mind, and I’ve been very good so far this year…
Awesome ute, saw it last november at the Mount Buller sprint hill-climb the officials let him run it up after one of the runs and it was as quick as most of the competitors
Why build utes ma i mean utes are just so rubbish
It is a monster. Beautiful in every way…
What a way to spoil a good car. BMW makes a fuss about perfect weight distribution and some hick goes and buggers it all up. That V8 lump of pig iron at the front and nothing in the back. Good for spinning the rear wheels and just about f-all else. Commie and Falcon utes are the most pointless cars on the road, don’t try to add to the stable mate.
Beats a Dato anyday!
wow a real hot ute! watch and weep falcodore drivers and eat dust!And watch out for a seemingly stock looking magna on the roads anything below a current model 8 or xr6t
Absolutely brilliant, Good on ya Stu well done mate,any-one who knocks it is obviously jealous because they didn`t think of it or can`t afford it….If you`ve never had or driven a ute you would`nt understand….may be its an Aussie bloke thing.
Ado …. You`re a wanker!!!
Dr Jekyll… You’re quoting the obvious!
Appleby’s not teh first to do the conversion though, a Google search will net you a few responses. His is probably the pick of the crop though.
I saw Appleby driving it in moorabbin, melbourne. Let’s just say it does well around corners!
Bogan aye!!!!
The term bogan (pronounced /ˈboʊgən/, rhyming with slogan) is Australian and New Zealand English slang, usually pejorative or self-deprecating, for a person who is, or is perceived to be, of a lower-class background. According to the stereotype, the speech and mannerisms of “bogans” indicate, poor education, cheap clothing and uncultured upbringing. ‘Bogans’ usually reside in economically disadvantaged suburbs (often outer metropolitan) or rural areas.
Hmmmmm…..the irony here is i own a kickarse HSV commodore with a retail value of 4 x the average AUS income. University degree, actually wear shoes and a shirt, use a knife and fork , Live in a middle class/ working class suburb of Brisbane AUS (not Rural) here’s the the bit that makes me cry with laughter, Clarkson still wears 80’s styled rags, and talks like he hasn’t got an education. James May still has his 80’s hair style and lacks any style, Richard Hammond must be in love with his 80’s leather jacket collection and good ol’ Bill even wants an HSV in his garage. Question here, is …ARE YOU GUYS THE REAL DEAL BOGAN’S HERE???? ANSWER. Yes you are, the rest of us are car enthusiasts that actually have a decent performance machine. Without us you wouldn’t have the articles for your shows or your magazine….Gooo us the real Non BOGAN’S.
i find it realy disturbing that they used mostly holden parts to build this m5 ute. nothing will ever beat the HSV range.
this is a car i wouldnt think twice of demolishing.
i agree with HSV ME, you guys dont know what a bogan means.
the car is made i amashed my dads hsv ute
the car is fuckin mad
fuck
fuck u if u read this