NZ Early Ford V8 National

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Held in my home town of Lower Hutt this week. I am not a member and am not allowed to drive for another month due to doctors orders so I walked the 1km from my house to where they were holding a public display. Photos attached.

GB

[Graeme / New Zealand]

more photos

[Graeme / New Zealand]

More still. I am unsure whether the 37 ute is a factory job or a converted sedan. Back view can be seen in one of the multi vehicle shots.

The last 2 photos are of a brand new mid engine Corvette I saw on the way to the display. We here in NZ knew some were to be imported and were to be RH drive as this one indeed was. It was not even registered yet. This is the first one I have seen. I know the "C" word is a rude word on this site and these cars will be "old hat" to USA Barner's ,but thought this might be of interest to the Kiwis that post here as the coming of this car to these shores has been touted in the NZ motoring media.

[scicala]

Very nice pic's ! Me being from the US, I've never seen a '32 3 window V8 right hand drive.

Sal

[TJ]

That 3 window appears to be all original or it's a real older restoration.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

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Originally Posted by TJ

That 3 window appears to be all original or it's a real older restoration.

I spoke to the owner. It is original NZ assembled still running its original engine but converted from Detroit Lubricator to a 97 ( owner still has that carb). It is still on its original black lifetime plates (new plates were issued every 5 years, in 1965 all currently registered cars were issued with lifetime plates).

GB

[mercman from oz]

Hi Graeme, Thanks for sharing these photos from your NZ V8 Nationals.
This is what a genuine Australian 1937 Ford Coupe Utility looks like.

[flatford8]

Great pics! Some really nice vehicles there....thanks for posting......Mark

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Hi Graeme, Thanks for sharing these photos from your NZ V8 Nationals.
This is what a genuine Australian 1937 Ford Coupe Utility looks like.

Mercman thought you would answer my question. Although it can't clearly be seen on the photo the the rear quarter window did not appear to "gel" with the door in that the rear edge of the door windows did not match the slope of the leading edge of the quarter ones. Still it was a nicely done vehicle.

GB

[swoopNZ]

I think Ford Australia stamped their own roof and rear 1/4 panels for the 37 coupe utes.
38 and 39 look the same.

[mercman from oz]

Here are pictures of another 1937 Ford Coupe Utility. Hope that these help.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a larger picture of the 1937 Ford Ute that was on display at the NZ Nationals

[mercman from oz]

Enlarged rear view of Non-Original 1937 Ford Ute

[corvette8n]

Cool pictures, is there a space behind the rear seat in a Ute?.

[A bones]

Thank You Graeme for walking, and for walking for shots, and walking again.

[Zeke3]

Yes, thanks Graeme and Mercman for all the great pictures, especially of the utes.

[Lawrie]

I was riding in the 36 sedan delivery for the event, I had a ball, thanks to Nyall;and John,
Plus Pat, Christchurch members/who made my trip a blast, this was a really great event in my old home town,caught up with lots of my old mates and one of best evening entertainment on the dinner nights ever,
Lawrie

[mercman from oz]

New Zealand 1937 Ford Ute. Definitely not a Ute manufactured by Ford Motor Company, Australia.

[mercman from oz]

Rear shot, showing Tail Gate of Genuine Australian 1937 Ford Coupe Utility

[mercman from oz]

Storage space behind seat on Australian Ford Utes.
To access, simply tilt seat backrest forward.
I hope that this answers corvette8n's question.

[mfirth]

Really GR8 stuff here!!!!! THANK YOU so much for sharing !!!!!

[KiWinUS]

Originally Posted by Lawrie

I was riding in the 36 sedan delivery for the event, I had a ball, thanks to Nyall;and John,
Plus Pat, Christchurch members/who made my trip a blast, this was a really great event in my old home town,caught up with lots of my old mates and one of best evening entertainment on the dinner nights ever,
Lawrie

You’re with a great bunch Lawrie. Glad you enjoyed.

[KiWinUS]

Thanks much Graeme for sharing these awesome pictures. So glad you’re on the mend and made it to the event.

[34fordy]

Kinda interested in picture 2---The yellowish pickup. Looks to be a 36 cab with 35 wheels and hood/possibly grille. Would this be something original to NZ, or just a mixture of 35/36 parts?

Originally Posted by Graeme / New Zealand

Held in my home town of Lower Hutt this week. I am not a member and am not allowed to drive for another month due to doctors orders so I walked the 1km from my house to where they were holding a public display. Photos attached.

GB

[mercman from oz]

Display of vehicles attending the 2023 Early Ford V8 Nationals in New Zealand

[sugarmaker]

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Great pictures thanks the UTE's are awesome! They would have looked great in the US also!
regards,
Chris

[38 coupe]

This was a great event, many thanks to the organizers. My wife and I got back to Texas late yesterday after spending another week in New Zealand.

This will take two posts; here are pictures of cars in front of Wellesley College in Days Bay.

[38 coupe]

Second post for more pictures in front of the school.

[38 coupe]

I got the chance to talk with the 37 ute owner. The car was made new in Christchurch. When the owner got it the car was in very rough shape. He found a 37 fordor at the dump and cut the quarter windows and rear window out of the fordor, then used them in the ute. I think he also had to make the tail gate.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

I got the chance to talk with the 37 ute owner. The car was made new in Christchurch. When the owner got it the car was in very rough shape. He found a 37 fordor at the dump and cut the quarter windows and rear window out of the fordor, then used them in the ute. I think he also had to make the tail gate.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

Thanks much Graeme for sharing these awesome pictures. So glad you’re on the mend and made it to the event.

Thanks Tony comments appreciated.

GB

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

I got the chance to talk with the 37 ute owner. The car was made new in Christchurch. When the owner got it the car was in very rough shape. He found a 37 fordor at the dump and cut the quarter windows and rear window out of the fordor, then used them in the ute. I think he also had to make the tail gate.

Cool thanks for this background on that ute it was was very interesting. Glad you had a good trip out here and thanks for the additional photos, I will save them to my collection if that is OK with you. Did you see the old FOMOCO plant on your way to Eastbourne after the show? Classic Ford red brick styling.

GB

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by 34fordy

Kinda interested in picture 2---The yellowish pickup. Looks to be a 36 cab with 35 wheels and hood/possibly grille. Would this be something original to NZ, or just a mixture of 35/36 parts?

34 Fordy. I'm not sure but I notice the number plate is a personalised one with OLD 35 on it. Our Ford USA based vehicles tended to be assembled here ex FOMOCO Canada (we had little 8/10 hp English Fords assembled here too ex UK at the same time).

GB

[38 coupe]

Originally Posted by Graeme / New Zealand

Cool thanks for this background on that ute it was was very interesting. Glad you had a good trip out here and thanks for the additional photos, I will save them to my collection if that is OK with you. Did you see the old FOMOCO plant on your way to Eastbourne after the show? Classic Ford red brick styling.
GB

I did get to see the old Ford plant, an interesting brick building.

Please save the photos, I took these at the request of the event organizer to be shared with others.

[Newc]

In the background, the pale yellow '48 Merc convertible may have come from Canby, OR; some years ago. Friend sold one for export. I always look at the background cars too. Newc

[mercman from oz]

Newc, Do you mean the 48 Mercury Convertible in the background of Posts 7 and 9 beside the Black 1937 Ford Coupe Ute? If so, you have a good eye, and teh car is a recent import. However, just for the record, the photos of the 37 Utes were taken in Australia at our local V8 Nationals held in back in October 2022. I have plenty of pictures of that 1948 Mercury with Patina. Regards Mercman <><