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]

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 - sales@graffitipub.com.au

 

[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]

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?