AUCTION: Custom-Built 2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8 UTE:

For the past several decades, both Australians and New Zealanders have embraced the UTE culture. UTE’s offered passenger car performance and pickup truck utility. While America has had similar offerings throughout the years with vehicles like the Chevrolet El Camino, Ford Ranchero, and Dodge Rampage, none of them took off in the market as the Australian offerings did in Australia and New Zealand.

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But needless, it hasn’t stopped a few dozen people to create modern interpretations here in North America.

Although pickup trucks, crossovers, and SUVs continue to rule the automotive sales world, the Chrysler Group’s big HEMI-powered sedans have stood their ground. But in 2006, one of those sedans caught a lot of attention from the international press: the 2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8. 

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Then the Chrysler 300C SRT8 featured a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 making 425 horsepower (317 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. of torque (569 N•m) in its stock form.  The only downfall of the car was its Mercedes-sourced 5-speed automatic with AutoStick®, but the performance was impressive for the time. It featured a 0-60 mph time in the low 5-second range and could run 0-100-0 in the mid-16-second range thanks to the help of the 300 SRT8’s Brembo brakes. 

But what if you were to take the big Chrysler performance sedan and cut it down to create a unique look embracing the UTE culture? Then it would probably look like this custom 2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8 UTE, that is currently on sale on the popular online auction site, eBay!

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Unlike many of the Charger UTE conversions we have seen which are built using the Symth Performance body kit, this is a completely one-off custom build. The car had half of its roof cut off, 18-gauge sheet metal was then cut, shaped, and butt-welded to form custom steel framework for the 300C’s sculpted body. 

But unlike most UTEs this custom build doesn’t offer a functional pickup box. Instead, the rear passenger area was covered with sheet metal and the stock trunk area continues on. So technically, the car isn’t really a UTE as it is a two-seater muscle car with a pickup influence in its styling.

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The vehicle features a clean CarFax report, has had two previous owners, and is free from accidents and rust. It is located 70 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts off the coast of New Hampshire. 

The vehicle does give a unique look to the beloved Chrysler 300C SRT8. And while it’s not for everyone, we are sure there is someone who would embrace its pickup-like looks. 

To see more photos and/or to place a bid on the car, you can head over to the eBay! auction page.