Fordor ute conversion
 

Something different I saw at a swap meet on Sunday. An early 28 fordor cowl and tank with what looks like a series 1 land rover roof, turning it into a farm ute. Phaetons were a common body converted to utes over here in Oz, as the subframe was wood, and would eventually rot. So intrepid farmers would remove the rear seat tub etc and form up a tray with what they had. This is one of the very few sedans that I have seen that has received this treatment. The model A wasn't the only car, a lot of different brands were treated the same. I have also been told it happened a lot during WWII as farm utes could receive more fuel rations over a family vehicle, so they were turned into commercial vehicles and received more fuel.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

Nice pictures. Notice that it has the cowl vent also, looks like factory. A very well done conversion.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

Cool old truck, but it sure is hodge podge!

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

Thanks for sharing.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

No visor either.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

Sedan-to-truck conversions are sometimes done in the hot rod world to make a "Super Cab". I've also heard about conversions being done to get more fuel during WWII. Actually, rationing was as much about conserving tires as fuel. The Japanese occupation of southeast Asia had cut off the supply of rubber.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

What is that white thing on top of the motor, looking into motor bay on the passenger's side?

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

It's actually a mirror mounted on the fender - looks too low to be of much use.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

A conversion made from a Tudor or Fordor sedan was common here in NZ as not many original or made in NZ cabs from new. Sedans were plentiful & Model A's were cheap ,robust old cars in '50's. Phaetons also got the treatment but NZ did get lots of original 76A&B Open cab pickups .
Cheers - Tom.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

My brother chopped off the top of the rear of a 1934 (?) Chevy to make it into a Ute (Ute, I like that word) in about 1947 to use around our few acres. Didn't add a bed, just made it accessible for loading.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

That passenger' side is actually the driver's side. Like others have said, I think you are looking at a mirror mounted on the mudguard.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

Did not notice it was a RHD, silly American.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

They did utes here too,not as pretty as that one..had to beat up 3 shriner clowns to get this..

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

If you enlarge the head-on pic, you can see it's definitely a mirror on the fender (mudguard in Aussie-speak). When I said it was too low to do much good, I was thinking LHD - forgot you Down Under guys drive on the "wrong" side. ;) :D

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

After the 1st post saying it was a mirror on the tire, that is what I also did, enlarged the picture and then it was obvious.

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

If we drive on the "wrong" side of the road, you guys sit on the "wrong" side of the car but we drive on the "correct" side of the road!:D
BTW, I have won a few beers with this piece of trivia. If you look at any American car made before the Model T, you will notice that it is right hand drive. The Model T was the first with LHD as far as my info goes. Henry messed with you guys big time!:rolleyes:

Re: Fordor ute conversion
 

In the US, we've always driven on the right-hand side of the road. Pennsylvania passed the first law to that effect in 1792. Pre-auto drivers tended to sit on the right side of the vehicle to better see, and therefore avoid driving into, roadside ditches. So when cars came along, it was natural to put the steering wheel on the right-hand side. Henry put it on the left side supposedly to make it safer to enter/exit the car from the curbside away from oncoming traffic and to give the driver a better view of that traffic. I suspect it was as much marketing hype as anything.

Interesting history here:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/right.cfm