1935 Ford V8 Wellside Ute

[mercman from oz]

Here we have a nice example of an restored Australian 1935 Ford V8 Wellside Roadster Ute.
Just to complicate things, when you wanted to buy a new Ford Ute, you not only had the choice of a Coupe Ute or a Roadster Ute, but each of these two body styles were available as a Wellside Ute or a Straight Side Ute, making the total offering of 4 different Utes.
In a previous Feed, there are pictures of a 1936 Ford Straight Side Roadster Ute, as well as pictures of a Straight Side Coupe Ute.
This 1935 Ford Roadster Ute is the Wellside version. It was the more practical version, as it allowed builders to carry long lengths of timber, with the front supported on a special Bracket that was mounted to the front Bumper. It was not unusual to see these Utes with loads protruding out the front as well as out the back. (try that these days, & see how far you get before being pulled over) However, while this version is more practical, it does not look as "smooth" as the Straight Side Utes.
Unfortunately, there are not many Utes surviving in Australia.
Initially, they were overlooked here as collector cars, & were used as donor cars for some of the other body styles. Then, some enterprising people thought that they could make some money by sending them to the USA at a profit, where they have become very popular.
As a consequence of this, there are not many left here in Australia, which is a pity.

[Brian]

Thank you Mercman, great history lesson and photos

[mercman from oz]

The following photos show each of the 4 types of 1935 Ford V8 Utilities that were available in Australia for 1935. These illustrations are from the very rare Ford Australia Commercial Sales Brochure.
Also illustrated in the Brochure is the Australian Panel Van for 1935 which has a completely different body to your 1935 Sedan Delivery, as well as the 1935 Ford Pickup, however, none were ever sold here with the USA Pickup Bed as illustrated in the Brochure.

[Mart]

Thanks for the pics - it looks really smart.

Mart.

[turnpikecrusier]

Thanks for the information, I have a 36 soft top UTE. Where can I find more info on them?

[mercman from oz]

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Buyers beware. When buying a Front Door for your open 35/36 Ford, make sure that you get the correct one, as there are 2 different length doors in Australia.
The Roadster & Phaeton share the same length front door, but the ones on the Roadster Ute are shorter.
The reason for this is because of the positioning of the Spare Wheel. It was made shorter so that the door didn't hit the Tyre.
This problem would not be a problem in the USA, but in Australia, I have heard many stories where someone has bought a front door for an open 35/36 Ford, at Swap, only to discover that it was the wrong length when they got home.
Check out the attached photos which show this difference.

[mercman from oz]

Hi Turnpikecruiser, You want to know more about these Ford Utes etc?
I have just posted a new Thread titled "History of Ford in Australia" with some illustrations. This book has a lot of information on the Early Ford V8 Utes etc.
Check out this new Thread. Included are details on how to get this book.

[Johno1938]

Originally Posted by turnpikecrusier

Thanks for the information, I have a 36 soft top UTE. Where can I find more info on them?

Hi Turnpikecrusier, I also have a 36 soft top ute. If I can be of any assistance please let me know. You can email me at [email protected]

[turnpikecrusier]

Thanks Mercman.
Johno1938, I would like to know what kind of tail lights are on the 36 ute.

[Johno1938]

turnpikecruiser, as far as I know, the ute being a standard model, it would only have had one tail light on drivers side. The light was the same as other 36 models, stainless I think, mounted on a special cast bracket, which was bolted under the body just behind the mudguard. The bracket also allowed the number plate to be bolted to it below the light. I am away from home at the moment, but when I get back home in the next couple of weeks, I will post a photo for you.

[Old Col]

Hi, all the Ford Utes and Panelvans used just one light on the drivers side (r/hand) and the light was a '32 commercial light. I'm pretty sure they used them up until the end of the 1948 production run.....

[Johno1938]

Old Col, yes you are probably right, have seen so many different tail lights but the utes would use a standard type commercial light I would a imagine.

turnpikecruiser, there is a tail light bracket on australian ebay at the moment, same as the one I have, listed as for a pick up. link...... FORD 1932 1928 - 1937 CAST TAIL LIGHT BRACKET FOR PICKUP - HOT ROD

[Johno1938]

On looking at the photos of the 35 roadster ute, I am now uncertain as to where the number plate was, I don't know whether it was on the same bracket as the tail light or not, maybe someone else can help with this.

[Old Col]

Originally Posted by turnpikecrusier

Thanks Mercman.
Johno1938, I would like to know what kind of tail lights are on the 36 ute.

Hi, here's the light on my old Ute when I first got it , not a good pic I'm afraid but you might get something from it.....also still have the cast bracket off it....

[mercman from oz]

The Ford Utes used the production 32 Taillights all the way through to 1951. In 1952, the Mainline Ute got a pair of "styled" taillights for the first time.
On the 1933 through 1936 models, they were mounted on a cast bracket that was bolted to the body & protruded outside the body. You could see this bracket & licence plate from the front. From 1937, they were relocated to the panel under the tailgate but offset to the drivers side.

[turnpikecrusier]

great info here guys. I just got home from Arizona, today I'll go snap a pic of the rear of my ute.I'm sure the only lites are aftermarket ones. My license plate is bolted to the body in the center.

[HamerAuto]

you also had a choice of tailgates either a full lenght tailgate or shorter unit. Most well type had the full lenght tailgate but there were a few of the straight type with the full lenght tailgate as well.

[turnpikecrusier]

Went and looked at my ute, just has aftermarket tail lites. How do I get on eBay of Australia ?

[Old Col]

Hi, there's probably other ways of doing it, but I just Google Ebay USA and it gets me there.....if you do the same thing and put in Australia,you'll get there (or here) too. If you need another cast bracket,I have one,regards, Col.

[turnpikecrusier]

Old Col, I would like to have a cast bracket for my ute. I don't really care for the after market lites that are on it now. PM me if you would like to sell me yours.

[HamerAuto]

I aways wanted a 1933 roadster ute. Could not find one a friend when I was in high school had a 1934 staright side roadster ute.

[mercman from oz]

Regarding the type of Tail Lights that were used on Australian Utes, I took a closeup shot of the Taillights on this original 1939 Ford Standard Ute.
You will notice that they actually from the Parts Bin of the 1932 Fords.
These same Tail Lights were used up to & including the 1948 models.
Notice the "on-off" Switch on the right of the Tail Light.
You had to get out of your car to switch on the Tail Lights back in those days.

[fordlovr]

Hey that's very interesting. We do have some unique bodies here downunder.[Vehicles I mean!] here is a pic of 35/36colonial cab pickup.Local truck here, was at the show last weekend.

[ken ct]

Mercman,i notice the tail pipe comes down the pass side [left] Is the exhaust manifold diff than the usa version on the left side,curious would like to know. Thank you for the pics its a beauty. ken ct usa.

[DavidG]

All era RHD V-8 exhaust systems are routed on the left side away from the steering gear, just like the LHD ones are routed on the left side away from the steering gear. The '32-'34 fours, exhaust system are all on the right side, LHD or RHD because of the position of the exhaust manifold. That's why '32-'34 RHD rear cross members have holes for the tail pipe to pass through on both sides and why '33-'36 RHD floor pans have battery access holes on both the right and left hand sides.

[HamerAuto]

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The manifolds are the same left to right hand drive. I think you mistyped David. On left hand drive vehicles the exhaust goes down the right hand side of the car.

[mercman from oz]

After a long search, I have managed to get photos of a Genuine Ute Tail Bracket that were fitted to the Australian Utes up until 1936. This is a Cast Bracket. It is quite a complicated item.

[rockfla]

We have the 1935 straight side ute, need right hand drive engine tins if any of our "right-hook" posters here have a line on any???? One of the last parts missing for ours..... Thanks for any help!!!!

[35ragtop]

Mercman from oz, that bracket looks to me like the standard pickup taillight bracket that is commonly reproduced . I bought a couple from C&G in the US.

[Tudortomnz]

Originally Posted by fordlovr

Hey that's very interesting. We do have some unique bodies here downunder.[Vehicles I mean!] here is a pic of 35/36colonial cab pickup.Local truck here, was at the show last weekend.

That is an interesting cab ; I once saw this truck at Rangiora but not sure if the cab was made by Standard Motor bodies [ the infamous ''Colonial Cab''] or an independent firm.
Most '35 '36 pickups in NZ used the Nth American cab either with the steel tray or a wooden deck. Some of the big trucks used a local cab before Ford NZ started full assembly at Lower Hutt in late 1936.
Many passenger cars also got converted into light trucks around the War era, obvious by the car front end styling, unlike in Aussie where Ford Australia actually made them like that new.

[source36]

Great reading in this thread.....These are very cleverly designed cars...If there are any of you in the states (or even you mates down under) that would like to get one of these of your own, My family has decided to sell the two 36s we have. We have a 36 roadster Ute (50% restored) and a coupe Ute project. PM me for details Enjoy your Fords!

[Rowell Walton]

source36, note you have a couple 36 utes for sale...where are [email protected]

[rockfla]

Also in need of a taillight bracket.......IF I can get one I can have several made depending on how many are needed!!!! PM me if it is of any interest???

[DavidG]

Robert,


If the tail lamp bracket in Trevor's photos is indeed the correct one for your ute, you won't have to make one as it had broad application in North American commercial vehicles and trucks at least through the '34 model year and back into the Model A era and they are reproduced; also there seem to be no particular shortage of NOS ones as well. The part number is B-13470. It is neither unique to Australia nor to RHD vehicles as it works on either side or both sides of the vehicle.

[48-710]

Trevor's photo of the tail light switch (#22) reminds me of my job when we went to the drive in,in the 60's. As a keen, 6 year old, I was out of the car before the speaker was hung up on the post to get the tail lights on. Going to the drive in was a real treat for us kids. Staying awake wasn't a problem either, because, Wednesday night was Ranch night (westerns) at our drive in.

[rockfla]

Thank you David!!

[mercman from oz]

Here is a larger picture of the bracket, part number is B-13470. As you can see, it is totally symmetrical, so can be used on the right or left hand side.