01-20-2015, 08:30 PM | #21 |
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Re: Why Utes?
Mercman,
I believe that piece of history (or folklore) needs some refinement as it makes the existence of the '32 utes difficult to explain. |
01-20-2015, 09:06 PM | #22 |
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Re: Why Utes?
This piece of History was cut up to make a 32 Ford "Coupe", using VW Doors. What a waste.
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01-20-2015, 10:04 PM | #23 |
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Re: Why Utes?
I love those UTEs. Would be the perfect vehicle for my lifestyle.
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01-20-2015, 10:06 PM | #24 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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.
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01-20-2015, 10:28 PM | #25 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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01-20-2015, 11:23 PM | #26 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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01-20-2015, 11:33 PM | #27 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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. |
01-21-2015, 12:41 AM | #28 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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
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01-21-2015, 12:56 AM | #29 | |
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Re: Why Utes?
Quote:
GB
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01-21-2015, 01:07 AM | #30 | |
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Re: Why Utes?
Quote:
GB
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"you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid" |
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01-21-2015, 01:30 AM | #31 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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 |
01-21-2015, 01:31 AM | #32 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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 |
01-21-2015, 01:57 PM | #33 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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.
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01-21-2015, 08:04 PM | #34 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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.
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01-22-2015, 04:23 AM | #35 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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.
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01-22-2015, 04:31 AM | #36 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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.
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01-22-2015, 05:18 AM | #37 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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. |
01-22-2015, 05:24 AM | #38 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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.
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01-22-2015, 05:36 AM | #39 |
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Re: Why Utes?
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.
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01-22-2015, 06:18 AM | #40 |
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Re: Why Utes?
Here is my 36 roadster UTE
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