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Old 01-23-2019, 01:49 AM   #1
mercman from oz
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Default 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute




As is common knowledge, Ford Australia offered a Coupe Ute in 1934. It wasn't until 1957 when Ford of USA offered a similar constructed vehicle. Ford's 1934 Ford Coupe Ute is claimed to be the first Ute constructed with integral cab and body, as you can see is the attached photos of this Barn Fresh exhibit in a Museum.
However, back in 1931, Ford in the USA offered a Model A Deluxe Ute, as depicted here.
While the body appears to be attached to the cab, can anyone advise if it was indeed attached, or whether it was separate?
If it is indeed attached, that means that the Australian 1934 Ford Coupe Ute was not the first of this body style.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
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Old 01-23-2019, 02:41 AM   #2
Tudortomnz
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

Great pics Trevor. The Deluxe Pickup was the Commercial A sized version of the AA Service Car. The sides were not continuous of the cab sheet metal but were bolted as can be seen . I believe the Australian open cab light Deliveries [ pick up] were not joined but were a part of the cab like the Coupe Utilities of '33 & '34.
That is a '33 Coupe Ute? First of them for Australia. I have only seen the Ford Aust. repro one Úte 1'that Ford & Lew Brandt built up from a '33 Sedan, which is far from correct looking. An original '34 Coupe Ute would be my ultimate early Ford V8!
Cheers Tom in NZ.
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Old 01-23-2019, 03:10 AM   #3
mercman from oz
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute




Compare the top photo of this made-up 1934 Ford Coupe Ute with the photo of the genuine one in the Museum in my earlier Post. While it might look a picture, don't be deceived. This recreated 1934 Ford Ute was made from cutting up a 1933 Ford Sedan for a send off gift for long time retiring Ford Designer, Lew Bandt. It originally started out as a 1933 Ford Ute, but after a bad accident when Lew was unfortunately killed, it was donated back to Ford by Lew's Widow. Ford then commissioned the Ute to get repaired, and during the process, it was changed from a 1933 model to a 1934 model. Since then, it has been widely used in advertising new Ford products, especially Utes.
While it might look pretty in these Promo Shots by Ford, it is in fact a disaster, and nothing like the genuine article.
It still retains Sedan doors, when the Coupes and Coupe Utes had differently styled moldings on the doors. The rear side windows are a completely different shape. It is very sad that Ford Australia continue to promote this mess as a genuine 1934 Ford Coupe Ute. A scale model has been made of it, as Ford Australia told the model makers that it was the genuine thing. It has also been featured on Australian Stamps and Coins, both of which continue promoting this myth as the genuine article.
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Old 01-23-2019, 03:58 AM   #4
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute


Here is a picture of an Australian 1930 Model A Ford Roadster Ute. As you can see the rear body portion is joined to the cabin area, but as it is an open model, it is only joined at the floor. It does not have a separate bed, as the whole body is integral.
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Old 01-23-2019, 08:51 AM   #5
30 Closed Cab PU
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

Thanks for sharing these pictures. The 1st time I have actually seen them, have never taken the time to google to see what a UTE looks like.


What Model was the 57?


Seems the 31 was the roots of the Ranchero and El Camino.






Quote:
Originally Posted by mercman from oz View Post



As is common knowledge, Ford Australia offered a Coupe Ute in 1934. It wasn't until 1957 when Ford of USA offered a similar constructed vehicle. Ford's 1934 Ford Coupe Ute is claimed to be the first Ute constructed with integral cab and body, as you can see is the attached photos of this Barn Fresh exhibit in a Museum.
However, back in 1931, Ford in the USA offered a Model A Deluxe Ute, as depicted here.
While the body appears to be attached to the cab, can anyone advise if it was indeed attached, or whether it was separate?
If it is indeed attached, that means that the Australian 1934 Ford Coupe Ute was not the first of this body style.
What are your thoughts on this subject?

Last edited by 30 Closed Cab PU; 01-23-2019 at 08:58 AM. Reason: Corrected due to not reading the original Poster thoroughly
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Old 01-23-2019, 10:29 AM   #6
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

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To 30 Closed, the 57 mercman is referring to was the Ranchero.
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Old 01-23-2019, 11:55 AM   #7
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

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To 30 Closed, the 57 mercman is referring to was the Ranchero.


Thanks, did not know they were made in the 50s, thought perhaps the 60s.


A new fun fact learned today!
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Old 01-23-2019, 01:18 PM   #8
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

Nice 34 and The Blue Model A. Here's one I build in 72. From a Plymouth Valiant. This was a High School Project. The Auto Body teacher had been building Chryslers into "Ute's" as you call them from 1957. The last one he built was in 1990 from a Chrysler Fifth Avenue. A bit of fun.

J.P.
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Old 01-23-2019, 01:52 PM   #9
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

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Nice 34 and The Blue Model A. Here's one I build in 72. From a Plymouth Valiant. This was a High School Project. The Auto Body teacher had been building Chryslers into "Ute's" as you call them from 1957. The last one he built was in 1990 from a Chrysler Fifth Avenue. A bit of fun.

J.P.

"Hey, that thing got a hemi?"

Looks like some really nice work, especially by a high school kid. Ford had Ranchero and GM had El Camino/Cabarello - did you come up with a cool Spanish-sounding name for your Plymouth?
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Old 01-23-2019, 02:54 PM   #10
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

Look up Model AA Ford Service Trucks, looks like a Ute
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Old 01-23-2019, 03:37 PM   #11
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

The blue one isn't a "coupe utility". Pretty obvious.

And we invented "Mary Poppins" too.
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Old 01-23-2019, 03:49 PM   #12
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

As Tudortomnz posted, the bed sides of the Deluxe Pickup are bolted to the cab, not integral with it. The bed is taller and longer than the standard Pickup. Also as the name implies, the Australian coupe ute has a cab based on the coupe. The Deluxe Pickup cab is standard late-30 – 31 A/AA truck cab. Interestingly, the cab was designed to be similar to the Town Car Delivery cab, complete with slant windshield and side lights but a solid top. That design didn’t make it to production. The Deluxe Pickup does have stainless radiator shell, headlights and cowl band rather than painted ones like standard pickups. Total production was 293, most of which went to General Electric who had a fleet of them for refrigerator delivery/service.
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Old 01-23-2019, 03:57 PM   #13
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

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The blue one isn't a "coupe utility". Pretty obvious.

And we invented "Mary Poppins" too.
Yeah Yeah.. And "Crowded House" & Pavalovas too I guess!!

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Old 01-23-2019, 04:18 PM   #14
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

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Look up Model AA Ford Service Trucks, looks like a Ute

The Service Car is the AA version of the Deluxe Pickup. The beds on both resemble that of a ute. However, they are bolted to the cab, not integral with it like the ute. Also, the cabs are standard late-30 - 31 truck cabs. The Australian COUPE ute has a cab based on the coupe.
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Old 01-23-2019, 04:38 PM   #15
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

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Yeah Yeah.. And "Crowded House" & Pavalovas too I guess!!


We should build a wall so we can't hear these things.

Didn't hear mention of Russell Crowe.
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Old 01-23-2019, 04:47 PM   #16
mercman from oz
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute


That is one neat Service Tow Truck with flowing body sides like the Deluxe Pickup.
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Old 01-23-2019, 05:27 PM   #17
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

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Originally Posted by mercman from oz View Post
That is one neat Service Tow Truck with flowing body sides like the Deluxe Pickup.

If you ever get to Florida, you can see it and a lot of other rare A/AA in the flesh...errr, steel...at the Elliott Museum in Stuart.

https://elliottmuseum.org/exhibits/
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Old 01-23-2019, 06:04 PM   #18
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

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"Hey, that thing got a hemi?"

Looks like some really nice work, especially by a high school kid. Ford had Ranchero and GM had El Camino/Cabarello - did you come up with a cool Spanish-sounding name for your Plymouth?





Ok kids, thinking about buying an early 28 coupe, no e brake, engine mounts to the cross member two bolt holes, 7 tooth steering, don't know if it is a multi disk clutch, need to open it up, question, I just want to have another street car, 330 Desoto hemi, 39 trans, or stock?
I have a 28 tudor, 29 tudor, 29 Pickup, 30 coupe 53 flatty, 39 trans, so what say you all? Thanks
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Old 01-23-2019, 06:24 PM   #19
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Default Re: 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Ute

31 Service Truck,Belonged to the Late Jerry Lubinski. I did work on this as well as many Club Members.
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Old 01-23-2019, 09:36 PM   #20
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These are neat Tow Trucks.
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