Why Utes?

[Mike B]

Curious as to why they were made instead off pickups? Is an Ute considered a car?..i/e less tax, but yet can still haul cargo?
I assume Ford also made pickups for those areas as well?

[51 MERC-CT]

Never heard of Ford Ranchero? US version of a 'Ute'

[Mike B]

Yes...El Caminos and GMC sprints too...but nothing like that in the early Ford V8 era in the US, was there?

I think the late '50's spawned the Rancheros, etc.

[CarlG]

In 81-82 there was the Ford Durango "ute"

[Mike B]

I guess I'm wondering why it took so long for the US to adopt the strategy that have been going on for 25 years or so?

Those Utes are beauties, wondering why Ford never made them here, and just other places.?

[51 MERC-CT]

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Originally Posted by CarlG

In 81-82 there was the Ford Durango "ute"

Yep, but Ford didn't manufacture it as a Durango. It was a custom modification of the Fairmont done by a private coachworks for Ford.

[mercman from oz]

The History of the Australian Ute.
In 1932 a farmer's wife from Gippsland, Vic. wrote a letter of complaint to Ford Australia, saying that her husband wanted a car that could carry her 'to church on Sundays and pigs to market on Mondays'. Ford Coupé Utility. In response, a 22 year old engineer named Lewis Brandt designed and successfully pushed the concept of a passenger/load-carrying vehicle, and the first Ford 'Coupé Utility' rolled off the production line in 1934. This vehicle was a huge success, and spawned many similar cars worldwide. However, most of the overseas pickups were more truck than sedan based, and to this day, the mighty ute remains largely a unique Australian body style.
Over the years, Ford and General Motors locally manufactured ute versions of their passenger cars, and when the 'first Australian car', the Holden 48-215 (FX) was released in 1948, an FX ute was also made available. A similar thing thing happened with the XK Falcon in 1960 - a car Ford Australia found in the US and decided would be perfect for Australia (along with a ute variant of course). When Chrysler briefly set up shop and began locally producing cars, it was a foregone conclusion that they would make utes also. Apart from a few dark patches in the 80's/90's, Holden and Ford have always produced a utility based on their volume passenger car. Today, Ford continue to offer the Falcon Ute while Holden offer the Commodore Ute. Unfortunately, both manufacturers have indicated that they are ceasing production in Australia, Ford in 2016 and Holden 2017. It will be a sad days for these Aussie Icons.
Today, a real Aussie ute is one based on a passenger sedan, preferably with a seamless body-moulded tray (exceptions made for the mighty 'tonner). Fortunately, the Australian icon is still alive and well despite the influx of cheap Japanese 4WDs, and should be with us for many years to come.

[mercman from oz]

For those that want to learn more about the Aussie Ute, Larry O'Toole from Graffiti Publications has produced this excellent book that sells for A$38.50.
They can be contacted at:-
Graffiti Publications Pty Ltd, PO Box 232, Castlemaine, Victoria Australia 3450. or email - [email protected]

[Bassman/NZ]

Ford Great Britain also made the "utes". Ford Zephyr Mk II and Mk III, Ford Cortina Mk I and Mk II. Other makes too, eg: Morris Minor, Morris Marina.
Even prewar, there was a Morris 8 "ute", also an Austin 7 "ute".

[mercman from oz]

Here are some pictures of the first model of Ford Coupe Utility. This one is a 1934 Ford Wellside Coupe Ute which has been fully restored. Two varieties of the Coupe Ute were available, this one is the Well Side, as is evident from the added side boards. These models were very handy and practical for the Builder. Most were fitted with a Carrier mounted on the front bumper with the top part the same height and width as these side panels. That would allow for very long lengths of timber or pipes etc to be carried, including lengths longer than the Ute. The Bracket on the front bumper would support these long lengths. The only draw back was that you could not open the passenger side door when carrying these long lengths, a small price to pay for practicality.

[mercman from oz]

This 1934 Ford Street Rod is the Straight Side model. These Utes are more popular with today's enthusiasts, as they have a much cleaner appearance that the more practical Well Side Utes shown in the above Post.

[mercman from oz]

Bassman/NZ mentioned that Ford of Britain made Zephyr Utes. I don't believe that any Zephyr Utes were made in Britain? I believe that all these Utes were made by Ford Australia. Attached are pictures of a Zephyr with had a 6 cylinder engine and a Consul which had a 4 cylinder engine. Both of these Utes are classed as Mark II. models. I have never seen a Mark II Zephyr Ute and don't believe that any were built. Australia is home toe the Utes and most British manufacturers got into the act, including armstrong Siddeley, Singer, Austin, Morris, Vanguard etc. Most Utes that are in the UK now most likely have been recent imports from Australia.

[Talkwrench]

Yes the ol' ute has had a great history in Australia .. I did see this on the weekend, what body style?
Still don't understand why GM didn't start selling the latest Holden utes in the USA . I would have thought they would have sold well..

Now we are gonna to have to explain the term "panno" to our overseas friends

[mercman from oz]

Hi Talkwrench, The first car is a 1934 Ford Roadster Ute. Regarding the Holden Commodore Ute in the second picture, GM were going to import it alongside the Pontiac G8, but when GM closed down Pontiac, the Ute program also went. There was some talk about importing it and selling it as a Chevrolet ElCamino. As you well know, your current Chevrolet SS is actually a Holden Commodore.
Unfortunately, GMH has decided to cease production of the Australian Holdens in 2017. The once proud Australian Motor Industry will be no more. Sad days ahead.

[Talkwrench]

Yes and with Ford pulling out of V8 racing sadder again ; o (
No motor industry left.

[GEOFFNZ]

Quite a few Ford Mk 3 Zephyr utes were made here from good low mileage vehicles.Mostly to the same pattern through a Ford franchise. Was it Hutchinson Motors ??.Still one or two about. Cheers

[Mike B]

Good info here, is the Ute considered a car or truck?

very suprised as it wasn't offered in the US at the time when style and such was predominant.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of the just released Ford Falcon Utes, code named FGX. These will stay in production until the end of 2016 when Ford Australia is shutting their Factory. It seems to me that Ford Australia has totally lost the plot and lost interest in selling new Falcons. There have been no advertisements on TV or in the News Papers about these new Falcons that were released in December 2014. Even though a Falcon won the Bathurst 1000 in October, Australias most famous endurance race, Ford Australia have indicated that they are not going to sponsor V8 Supercars after 2015. While new car sales in Australia had a very good year, I read where Ford sales in 2014 were the worst since 1966. This gives you some indication of how the Australian Company is being run, right into the ground. These are the only model Falcon Utes that I have seen and while they would be great work horses, they are nowhere in the same league as the latest upmarket Holden Commodores. Another sign of Ford Australia's couldn't care less attitude towards the genuine Ford enthusiast. While sales of Ford in the USa continues to grow, sales of Ford in Australia continues to decline. Sad days indeed with more gloom to come.

[mercman from oz]

Compare these pictures of the last model of the Falcon Ute. These were great looking cars and were very collectable. This was the sporty FPV Pursuit model that came with a V8. These were code named FG MkII and competed in sales with the upmarket Holden Commodore. These were great utes, but it seems that these days will never be repeated.

[expavr]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Compare these pictures of the last model of the Falcon Ute. These were great looking cars and were very collectable. This was the sporty FPV Pursuit model that came with a V8. These were code named FG MkII and competed in sales with the upmarket Holden Commodore. These were great utes, but it seems that these days will never be repeated.

That is one sharp looking truck. What knocked it out of the box? Pricing? Asian competition?

[DavidG]

Mercman,

I believe that piece of history (or folklore) needs some refinement as it makes the existence of the '32 utes difficult to explain.

[mercman from oz]

This piece of History was cut up to make a 32 Ford "Coupe", using VW Doors. What a waste.

[Binx]

I love those UTEs. Would be the perfect vehicle for my lifestyle.

Lonnie

[koates]

David, the difference here that many people seem to misunderstand is we are talking about a PRODUCTION COUPE UTILITY with a hard cabin roof and a wind up windows enclosed cabin. Many other makes of utility based on open cars (read roadster) were around for many years before the 1933-34 ford coupe ute. The first Ford coupe utes were mostly pre production 1933 models which came in both 4 cylinder and V8 versions. So as I said the claim to fame by Ford Australia in Geelong Victoria was for the first "PRODUCTION COUPE UTILITY" built in quantity, not just one off home built specials, roadster(soft top)utes, or other modified cars that look similar. Hope this is clear for everyone. Regards, Kevin.

[Ab4875]

This is coming up in October:

http://www.deniutemuster.com.au/

They get quite a few utes there.

[DavidG]

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You're right, the key words are "coupe utility", not just "ute" or "utility".

[DavidG]

I think it is a bit unfair to single out Ford as "having run the (local) company into the ground" when both GM (Holden) and Toyota are also ending production in Australia.

All three companies had to have high local content as mandated by a long succession of governments reaching back more than 80 years. In recent years, those decades of playing by the rules accounted for nothing and the doors were thrown open to unlimited imports, especially from southeast asia. The Australian vehicle market is simply not large enough to support both domestic production and unlimited imports, especially given the disparity in the wages paid locally to those being paid to the workers building the imports outside the country.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Mercman is right. Australian Lew Bandt is the "father" of the ute. Lew tragically died in 1987 while driving his 1934 ford ute on a commemorative run, when he was involved in a collision with a truck. Google him its an interesting read. Down here in NZ we once could not get enough of these Aussie icons. 30 year old plus Holden, Chrysler Valiant and Ford utes still fetch premium prices in a tidy condition.
Only the Ford and Holden utes are manufactured now and their days are numbered. We even have ute races. see below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCA_8eGyAIA

GB

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Bassman/NZ mentioned that Ford of Britain made Zephyr Utes. I don't believe that any Zephyr Utes were made in Britain? I believe that all these Utes were made by Ford Australia. Attached are pictures of a Zephyr with had a 6 cylinder engine and a Consul which had a 4 cylinder engine. Both of these Utes are classed as Mark II. models. I have never seen a Mark II Zephyr Ute and don't believe that any were built. Australia is home toe the Utes and most British manufacturers got into the act, including armstrong Siddeley, Singer, Austin, Morris, Vanguard etc. Most Utes that are in the UK now most likely have been recent imports from Australia.

Also the later mark iv and V Ford Cortinas were manufactured as a "ute" in South Africa not the UK.

GB

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Here is a picture of the just released Ford Falcon Utes, code named FGX. These will stay in production until the end of 2016 when Ford Australia is shutting their Factory. It seems to me that Ford Australia has totally lost the plot and lost interest in selling new Falcons. There have been no advertisements on TV or in the News Papers about these new Falcons that were released in December 2014. Even though a Falcon won the Bathurst 1000 in October, Australias most famous endurance race, Ford Australia have indicated that they are not going to sponsor V8 Supercars after 2015. While new car sales in Australia had a very good year, I read where Ford sales in 2014 were the worst since 1966. This gives you some indication of how the Australian Company is being run, right into the ground. These are the only model Falcon Utes that I have seen and while they would be great work horses, they are nowhere in the same league as the latest upmarket Holden Commodores. Another sign of Ford Australia's couldn't care less attitude towards the genuine Ford enthusiast. While sales of Ford in the USa continues to grow, sales of Ford in Australia continues to decline. Sad days indeed with more gloom to come.

Ford Ranger pickup here in NZ knocked Toyota Hilux of its perch for top selling ute in 2014 a record Toyota had held for 32 years. Toyota are mighty miffed about this. They still advertise themselves as being the" top selling 4WD ute for 2014" and say they only lost the top spot because they weren't offering a 2WD version.....me thinks "sour grapes" on their part.

GB

[Manuel]

I think most US style pick ups are classed as trucks here and so pay higher registration and insurance costs. The ute can get away with lower running costs sometimes. It varies from state to state and if it is privately owned or owned by a company.
That 32 ute seems to be wearing Model A wheels.

Manuel in Oz

[mercman from oz]

I realize that all 3 companies are shutting up shop withing the next few years, however, the reason why I singled out Ford Australia and commented that Ford were running the company into the ground is because at least Holden are continuing to sponsor V8 Supercars, are still advertising the Commodore on TV and in Newspapers, and offer premium sports cars in sedans, wagons and utes. Ford Fans pleaded with Ford Australia to continue to sponsor V8 Supercars and presented a signed petition to the management to continue their support, but it all fell on deaf ears. Just take a look at the great cars that Holden are marketing, such as the GTS, Clubsport R8, Grange and the Maloo R8 Utes etc. Check them out at:-
http://www.hsv.com.au/Gen-F/home/au/
Ford don't produce the vehicles that take it up to the Holdens any more. That all came to an end with the last model Code named FG MkII when they made a batch of 500 Falcon GTF (the F standing for final). Fifty of these last Falcon GTF were sent to New Zealand. These Falcons GTF sold out in 24 hours. Number one, pictured was auctioned off and realized A$157,600, while the final one, Number 500 realized A$236,00. Both of these vehicles were donated by Ford to be auctioned, with the money raised going the the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which was a generous move by Ford Australia. http://www.news.com.au/finance/busin...a1bsz-12270351

[my4dv8]

I know when was a young fella working on a Canadian ranch I was talking to the boss about utes . Of course the local slang for the Paiute Indian tribe was "ute" so it took hime a while to click .Ha Ha.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of Lew Bandt " the father of the Coupe Ute" with his "retirement" present. The workers at Ford couldn't find a genuine 1934 Ford Coupe Ute, so started of with a 1933 Ford Sedan and tried to make it into a Coupe Ute. The rear section, including the roof line and side windows are all wrong in this recreation which is a pity. As mentioned in an earlier Post, Lew was tragically killed in this vehicle. It was subsequently rebuilt with parts from a 1934 model, but still retained all the wrong parts in rear body section. On the Australian 1933 and 1934 Ford, the Coupes and Coupe Utes had different moldings on the doors than the Sedans had. This vehicle has Sedan Doors, as that is what it was made up from. It is a pity that a correct vehicle could not be located, as Ford Australia have continued to illustrate this Ute until lately with their latest offerings. Many Falcon Ute brochures show this 34 Coupe Ute in the background. When an Australian model maker was wanting to add a 1934 Ford Coupe Ute to their model range, Ford Australia told them to model the scale model from this vehicle, and as a consequence, the model while very well done is all wrong.

[mercman from oz]

Long before Ford Australia introduced the Coupe Ute, they produced Roadster Utes, where the rear body section was integral with the front. That is the tray section could not be removed without causing serious damage. Traditionally, Ford offered these Utes with the option of two distinctive rear sections. The one with the smooth sides was called a Style Side Ute and the body molding continued along the side to the rear. This is the body style that most restorers prefer, because of it's clean lines. The second choice was called the Well Side Ute, and featured lower sides with a tray and side boards. This body style was particularly popular with Builders and handymen, as you had the option of carrying long lengths. You will notice that the metal side of the Well Side Ute are lower than on the Straight Side Ute. The attached pictures show both models of these Roadster Utes when they were new.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of a 1934 Ford Coupe Ute, the first year of this body style, taken when this car was near new. If you compare the moldings on the door with the moldings of the recreation that was done for Lew Bandt on his retirement, (see my earlier Post) you will see that the moldings below the window are completely different on the Coupe Utes and Coupes from the Sedans. Lew's recreated Coupe Ute uses Sedan doors.

[mercman from oz]

Most manufacturers had Roadster Utes at the end of the twenties, early thirties.
They were all true Utes with integral rear side, but they were all Roadster Utes. Ford was the first to introduce the Coupe Ute and the Holden Bodied Chevrolet
followed soon after. The Coupe Ute is an Australian invention. You guys in the USA stated making the equivalent in the 1957 Ford Ranchero and the 1959 Chevrolet ElCamino. Fords have had a Ute in their lineup ever since and still do today. Meanwhile, over at General Motors Holden, the Holden Ute took the place of the Chevrolet Ute, the last Chev Ute was the 1952 model, and like ford, Holden still market a Holden Commodore Ute to this day. Having said that, their days are numbered as Ford are closing their factories at the end of 2016, while Holden are following suit at the end of 2017. Sad days ahead as the once-proud Australian Motor Industry is no more. The attached picture is from the opposition and shows a 1935 Chevrolet Master Coupe Utility.

[mercman from oz]

With the pictures that McCready supplied, the 1927 Chevrolet is a true Roadster Ute in the real sense of the term, as the body retains the same shape as the doors all the way to the back end. On the other hand, the 1925 Hupmobile, while being a Roadster Ute has a different rear bed from the front and appears that it could be detached, so in the strict sense of the term, is not a genuine Roadster Ute? I hope that this explains the differences.

[mercman from oz]

In a previous Post, I asked Readers to compare the Body Moldings on the Doors between the original and the Recreated Lew Bandt. After looking at the picture that I added, I see that this was impossible, as the door was open and the Moldings were not visible. Compare these 2 pictures and you will see how "wrong" the recreation (tan) is when compared with the original (green). Look at the rear part of the cabin and the rear side window. I realize that the recreation has the Style Side Body, while the original one has the Well Side Body. The recreation is also shorter. While the builders have done an OK job with the recreation, the main problem is that Ford Australia publicize this Ute as being the same as the first Ford Coupe Utes. That is the problem.

[turnpikecrusier]

Here is my 36 roadster UTE

[Ab4875]

Turnpike cruiser, it looks like a great vehicle, can you give us some background?

[mercman from oz]

Love your 1936 Roadster Ute turnpikecruiser. There are probable more of these in the USA than there are in Australia. For example, this beauty that is similar to yours has just been sent over to the USA. We are fast running out of them.

[Fe26]

In regard to auto manufacturers leaving Australia, our government threw them to the wolves. In a rush to negotiate a Free Trade agreement with China the price was the last big manufacturing industry in Australia.

We can now look forward to Chinese imports like the 'Great Wall' brand, with an ANCAP rating of 2. What we'll save in manufacturing costs well spend on trauma injuries. But hey! That's the price of free trade, right?

[turnpikecrusier]

I don't have a lot of background on my UTE. I bought it from a friend several years ago.I have a receipt from a storage facility in New York in 1955. A man in Minnesota restored it.My friend told me that it was originally used for a parts truck for a Duesenburg dealer in Paris France. I haven't heard of one,but makes for a great story. As far as I can tell the engine and drivetrain are original. It runs really good, kinda odd driving on the right. It Even has the side curtains. I've taken it to a few shows and get lots of comments.

[mercman from oz]

Regarding Fe26 comments about possible cars that Australians will be driving like the Great Wall vehicles, I have a friend with a Panel Shop who refuges to work on these Chinese vehicles like the Great Wall. He told me that when he tries to straighten a panel, the metal cracks. Meanwhile, he will accept Falcons and Commodores everyday of the week, as their panels don't crack while trying to straighten them. we can thank a Mr Button for closing down our once thriving Car Manufacturing in Australia.

[mercman from oz]

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Graeme/NZ has mentioned that the Ford Ranger has outsold the Toyota Hilux in NZ. That is great news. It is a different story here, where for 2014, the Toyota Hilux came in 2nd, while the Ford Ranger came in 6th. The Holden Commodore came in 4th. In fact, the Ford Ranger is the only Ford product in the Top Ten in Sales in Australia. That is pathetic, & just shows how poorly Ford are travelling in Australia. Now, it is interesting to note that Ford USA have no intention of selling the Ford Ranger, as they say it would take sales away from the top selling Ford F150 range. Meanwhile, over at GM, they sell the Chevrolet Colorado, which is similar in all respects to the Ford Ranger, marketed in Australia as the Holden Colorado. In the USA, the Chevrolet Colorado has just won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award. If GM can import the Colorado, why can't Ford import the Ranger? I just wonder where Ford are coming from sometimes. I am glad that at least we can look back at the Fords of old with pride. This was at a time when they produced cars that we wanted and still want. The attached pictures show the current Ford Ranger (red) and the new one that will be released this year (2015)

[RalphG]

Love the Utes, Wish they had offered them here in Canada. As usual, Saskatchewan farmers find a way to make what they need. Back in the sixties when farm pickup trucks could legally burn purple (tax free) gas it was not uncommon to see an old car with the back section of roof and trunk lid removed. A rudimentary panel of wood or metal installed behind the driver seat to close in the cab and "voila" a truck that could burn cheap gas and be licensed as a farm truck. I spotted this 56 Pontiac "Ute" at a farm auction last spring.

[cmbrucew]

RalphG

That 56 Pontiac truck may not be Canadian only.
I remember seeing them several times on old route 66 in Oklahoma, and Arkansas .
I thought some body shop was making el caminos from Pontiacs. Made a very nice looking ride.
Bruce

[mercman from oz]

Cheaper Registration has always been sort after, and as Ralph has suggested, many Sedans were made into Utes, thus obtaining cheaper registration, especially if it belonged to a farmer. Found this picture of a 1949 Ford "Ute" that someone in the USA turned into a Ute. They retained the same side sheet-metal as the Sedans. In Australia, that was not the case, as you can see from the pictures of the 1950 Ford Deluxe Coupe Utility. The reason fr the wider rear fenders is because Ford Australia used the heavier duty Mercury Differential in the Utes, thus, they had to come up with these bolt on rear fenders that are wider than the rest of the car. Compare these attached photos.

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

RalphG

That 56 Pontiac truck may not be Canadian only.
I remember seeing them several times on old route 66 in Oklahoma, and Arkansas .
I thought some body shop was making el caminos from Pontiacs. Made a very nice looking ride.
Bruce

I've seen some well finished car to truck conversions. A local guy did a nice job on an early sixties Dodge. The 56 Pontiac conversion I posted was definitely a "farm built" but better than some I have seen. Here is the front view. I could have likely got it cheap but figured after sitting on the ground for years the floor panels would be history.
Edit: the car appears to be a 1955 , not a 56.

[mercman from oz]

Here is an official write up on Ford Utes by the Ford Motor Company of Australia. There is some good information here, as well as some great pictures.
http://www.at.ford.com/news/cn/Pages/ute.aspx
Meanwhile, the attached photo show how Ford is still exhibiting this recreated 34 Ford Ute against their new offerings.

[49r]

The 50's Mainline ute (only for the Aussie and Kiwi market?) is a great looker and pretty rare now here in NZ.

[RalphG]

Couple of ads for the 56 ute or "Coupe Utility".

[mercman from oz]

Hi Ralph, The Black & White Illustration is for a 1957 Ford Mainline Ute. If you want to check out what these Ford Brochures look like, go onto the Web at:-
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/
They have the 56, 57 and 58 Mainline Ute up for everyone to look at, but still need one for the 55 Mainline Ute. Can anyone help out with this one?
Attached are the covers of the three that are currently listed.

[BLACKNRED]

This Chev was regarded as a Pick-up, as were many American based utility vehicles like this Hudson Utility Coupe.

I think the Ford Coupe Utility as a unit body was the marketing win, and thus the term Ute.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Good info here, is the Ute considered a car or truck?

very suprised as it wasn't offered in the US at the time when style and such was predominant.

Studebaker came out with the beautiful "Coupe Express" in 1937.

[colin1928]

I think some the points of Lew developing the coupe ute has been missed here
before the ute pickups of the day were pretty basic work vehicles
Lew,s idea was to put the better interior seats, floors coverings, leg room, ect from the more luxurious coupe into the ute and also add the deluxe features mouldings ect to dress up the exterior
to fit the better interior meant larger body the coupe roof ect and different rear panels
I was told this years back by a guy who work a Geelong with Lew

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Hi Ralph, The Black & White Illustration is for a 1957 Ford Mainline Ute. .

I had noticed the ad labelled as 57 and assumed it was a mis-print. In North America that body style was 1956.
Its interesting that one company best known for their trucks, International Harvester, also had a Ute version. Here is a D series International Ute from the late 1930s. This would be a truck but with a unitized body to look more "car-like".

[Marvin/TN]

Ford did produce a full sized pick up here in the states, I think in the 60's, and the bed side panel was all one piece that stopped at the door jam and the bed front end panel was the back of the cab. Wasn't very sucessful, think the doors would pop open when operating over rough ground etc. Never heard it called a UTE though but sure looked like one. I haven't seen one in many years.

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by Marvin/TN

Ford did produce a full sized pick up here in the states, I think in the 60's, and the bed side panel was all one piece that stopped at the door jam and the bed front end panel was the back of the cab. Wasn't very sucessful, think the doors would pop open when operating over rough ground etc. Never heard it called a UTE though but sure looked like one. I haven't seen one in many years.

Yes, I recall the Ford (and Mercury) unibody pickups from the early sixties. Saw a few but they were never a big seller. Knowing from personal experience how farm pickups are at times overloaded, I can see body flex being a real problem on these. The odd one shows up on Kijiji for sale here. The term "Ute" was strictly Australian as far as I know.

[turnpikecrusier]

Here's my 62 unibody

[mercman from oz]

The Ford F100 Unibody pickups are becoming very popular as these recent imports show. These are just the ones in my neck of the woods that I know of. I have also seen other advertised for sale down south. Their construction would classify them as a Ute.

[mercman from oz]

Starting off in the late 30's, it seemed like just about every manufacturer decided to make a Ute. These larger ones were classified as 15 cwt Utes. Chrysler Australia made them as Dodge, Fargo and DeSoto (pictured). General Motors Holden made the 15 cwt Chevrolet, while International Harvesters also made a Ute, as these 2 examples show. These all predate the 1961 Ford Unibody "Utes".

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by RalphG

I had noticed the ad labelled as 57 and assumed it was a mis-print. In North America that body style was 1956.
Its interesting that one company best known for their trucks, International Harvester, also had a Ute version. Here is a D series International Ute from the late 1930s. This would be a truck but with a unitized body to look more "car-like".

No not a misprint that bodyshape carried on in Aussie after 56. I think it may have gone as far as 59?...Mercman will correct me if I'm wrong. They had a bloody big "star" in the grille that I think was lifted from the Canadian meteor.... again I might stand corrected on that.

GB

[mercman from oz]

Graeme from NZ is correct. Our last "big" Ford Ute was the 1958 Ford Mainline. It used the Grille from the 55 Canadian Meteor. It was replaced in very early 1961 by the smaller Falcon Ute. Ford in Australia retained the 55/56 Body shape for another 2 years, 57 & 58. So, while this Ute might look like a 55 with the round Parking Lights, it is actually a 58, and sold into 1959. The light blue Mainline has added side trim similar to the same year sedan.

[RalphG]

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Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Graeme from NZ is correct. Our last "big" Ford Ute was the 1958 Ford Mainline. It used the Grille from the 55 Canadian Meteor. It was replaced in very early 1961 by the smaller Falcon Ute. Ford in Australia retained the 55/56 Body shape for another 2 years, 57 & 58. So, while this Ute might look like a 55 with the round Parking Lights, it is actually a 58, and sold into 1959. The light blue Mainline has added side trim similar to the same year sedan.

We had Falcon "Utes" here too starting in 1960 although they were officially known as the Ranchero. From 57 to 59 the Ranchero was based on the full size Fairlane platform. By 1967 Ford went back to using the Fairlane as the base for their Ranchero.

[2935ford]

Not sure about the rest of you but I really like the UTE.......it's like a factory custom!

[mercman from oz]

This is one neat Ute.

[mercman from oz]

Another great Aussie Ute lands in the USA.

[mercman from oz]

Great old photo of the 1934 Ford Coupe Ute when it was near new.

[mercman from oz]

Full size picture of the Australian 1958 Ford Mainline Ute.

[mercman from oz]

For those that want to learn more about the Aussie Ute, Larry O'Toole from Graffiti Publications has produced this excellent book that sells for A$38.50.
They can be contacted at:-
Graffiti Publications Pty Ltd, PO Box 232, Castlemaine, Victoria Australia 3450. or email [email protected]

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

I have a friend with a Panel Shop who refuges to work on these Chinese vehicles like the Great Wall. He told me that when he tries to straighten a panel, the metal cracks. Meanwhile, he will accept Falcons and Commodores everyday of the week, as their panels don't crack while trying to straighten them. we can thank a Mr Button for closing down our once thriving Car Manufacturing in Australia.

Why would anyone fix a great wall? the wheel bearings wear out and brake rotors wear paper thin within 1 year. Who still buys them?


So anyway... when they stop making real utes in Auzzi will local workshops offer to make utes from the mustang and other car they are hoping to replace them with? Chrysler can join in the fun with a challenger or charger utility coupe, in fact, make both!

[turnpikecrusier]

That is a good book on Utes. Very informative.

[mk2Colorado]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Bassman/NZ mentioned that Ford of Britain made Zephyr Utes. I don't believe that any Zephyr Utes were made in Britain? I believe that all these Utes were made by Ford Australia. Attached are pictures of a Zephyr with had a 6 cylinder engine and a Consul which had a 4 cylinder engine. Both of these Utes are classed as Mark II. models. I have never seen a Mark II Zephyr Ute and don't believe that any were built. Australia is home toe the Utes and most British manufacturers got into the act, including armstrong Siddeley, Singer, Austin, Morris, Vanguard etc. Most Utes that are in the UK now most likely have been recent imports from Australia.

I'm glad to have found this thread, I haven't found much in the way of discussions that pertain to Zephyr/Zodiacs much less mkiis. Any recommendations of other threads to take a look at that you can think of? Most of the search results I found for Zephyr aren't about English Fords. Any direction to point in is appreciated. I tried sending a message as to not get too off-topic in the thread here but it seems as a new member I can't do that quite yet.