They made auto and manual variants of the 3 seater VG-VR-VS series I/II/III utes. All autos were column shift, and manuals were still floor shift with no console, and a small black shroud around the gear shifter.
The S Pack was not available as a 3 seater. Also in all 3 seaters there is no wiper stalk, instead it is mounted in the coin tray/speed alert/trip computer gap in the dash. The heater/air controls/radio/ashtray/ligher socket etc are mounted horizonal which gives more space for the 3rd person's legs. As struma said, the handbrake is on the RHS of the drivers seat, like all HQ-WBs.
And yes you'd be better off swapping your ute for someone elses 3 seater version plus cash (or for a newer model, preferably a series III standard ute with a few options). The bucket seat versions are much more popular and fetch a higher price.