Why Utes?

[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]

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]

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 sales@graffitipub.com.au

 

[dumb person]

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]

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.