Utes

[Xander Wildeisen]

https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/d/australian-utes-trucks-and/6266894482.html

[auburnseeker]

It's been deleted.  Must have been a good deal. 

[Xander Wildeisen]

Had a few utes needing restoration. Maybe someone jumped on them.

[hidden_hunter]

There's plenty around here for cheap if you want to import one

[Craig Gillingham]

This was the list of vehicles for sale;

 

" Australian Fleet Side, Ute1936 Ford right hand drive El Camino/Ranchero look 1938 Ford Ute 1937 4 door parts car, fenders, doors 1938 Chevy coupe Ute, ... "

[Xander Wildeisen]

Have never been a fan of the ute. Trucks in most cases had better styling. What was the best looking ute produced?

[auburnseeker]

The studebaker coupe express, followed closely by the terraplane,  then of course the big boy.  

[hidden_hunter]

probably the more modern stuff actually looks better and more integrated 

[Craig Gillingham]

Quote

What was the best looking ute produced?

 

Personally, I think they all look pretty good, I like them all! I think the  1946-48 Mercury was nice,  as well as the 55-59 Mainlines. They are probably something that isn't really appreciated outside Australia. In the US, they are just an oddball vehicle, but over here they are well loved. People here have fond memories of owning one or knew someone that had one.

[J.H.Boland]

I fell in love with the 1978 El Camino/Caballero at first sight. I've had this GMC since new.Best looking "ute" out there IMHO.

[Paul Dobbin]

16 hours ago, Xander Wildeisen said:

Have never been a fan of the ute. Trucks in most cases had better styling. What was the best looking ute produced?

What was the best looking ute produced?   1957 Ford Ranchero is the answer.

[auburnseeker]

What no Dodge Rampage?

[Xander Wildeisen]

What would be the actual definition of a ute?

[auburnseeker]

My thought is it would be a car body designed with a pickup bed.  Probably the Hudson doesn't really qualify as it has a separate bed not integrated into the body like a conventional UTE.   The El-Camino, Ranchero and yes even Dodge Rampage are probably more Ute than the Hudson would be.  I still think The Hudson and Stude Coupe Express are close enough to be in the running though.  

Edited September 9, 2017 by auburnseeker (see edit history)

[Xander Wildeisen]

The only time I have heard the term ute, is when talking about a car/truck design from Australia. Would a El Camino/Ranchero ever be classified as a ute in a show?

[auburnseeker]

We could take one to Australia and see,  but I don't think we'll get it through Quarantine unless it's all been rebuilt with safe eco friendly parts.  

I'me surprise they even let us own cars anymore since they all have oil in them and in a horrific accident could lose some on the road.  

Never mind the toxic waste to manufacture all the green energy  stuff.  

[Craig Gillingham]

Quote

The only time I have heard the term ute, is when talking about a car/truck design from Australia. Would a El Camino/Ranchero ever be classified as a ute in a show?

I agree, a ute has to originate from Australia. Whether an El Camino or Ranchero would classify, I don't know. I doubt I've seen an El Camino in Australia (I'm sure there are some here), however, I have seen a few 60's Rancheros over here, as they are very similar to our Falcon utes of the same period, but just that little bit different.

 

This is my favorite ute, the 1957 Mainline. They used a convertible chassis with the big X cross-member in the middle for extra strength and a mixture of parts from Ford in the US and Canada.

 

Sadly, all the Ford and Holden utes come to an end this year. They have stopped making them, and are only selling what is still available in the showrooms.

 

 

[1939_Buick]

On 9/9/2017 at 5:21 AM, auburnseeker said:

My thought is it would be a car body designed with a pickup bed.  Probably the Hudson doesn't really qualify as it has a separate bed not integrated into the body like a conventional UTE.   The El-Camino, Ranchero and yes even Dodge Rampage are probably more Ute than the Hudson would be.  I still think The Hudson and Stude Coupe Express are close enough to be in the running though.  

No agreed Aussie definition, but the body and deck in 1 continuous body shell is more what purists call as a "ute"

Many sold in the last decade have a separate body and tray. but still advertised a "ute"

 

Ford have stooped car/ute/SUV production in Australia and only a few weeks left before Toyota & GM Holden stop production for good. 100% imports from then

 

There  El Camino  in Aussie, including 1959-60 and others from 1970's; as well as Ford Ranchero's 

Edited September 10, 2017 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[auburnseeker]

Surprising they weren't using the newer sheetmetal in 1957.  I was almost going to question it but the license plate says 057 so it does look like a 57.  I see some 54 parts even on it.  Interesting blend. Looks almost like they were using up old parts or just never updated the rear section. 

[Paul Dobbin]

Don't forget the game changer Subaru Brat.  

 

Edited September 12, 2017 by Paul Dobbin
added picture (see edit history)

[auburnseeker]

Only problem with the subaru brat was they were great in the snow but rusted so quickly that they only lasted a few years in it.  

You also had the little Diesel VW pickups built on the rabbit platform.   I think those things still have legendary fuel economy. 

[Paul Dobbin]

Brat's do last!  I have a friend here in the mountains with a 1982 that he bought new, still used as his farm truck, plus a 1984 that he bought last year with everything original  great HPOF Ute that still looks new.  He took it on the Founder's Tour this year in Gettysburg.

[auburnseeker]

Unless exposed to any kind of road salt.  Much like old toyota pickups.