I have had a crush on these since I first became aware of them. I don't think I knew about them untill the worldwide H.A.M.B. opened my eyes. The DeSoto ad copy made my knees buckle, yikes! That black chevy is just the bees knees! Dig'em Great feature subject. ~sololobo~
The Aussie coupe ute was designed by Lewis Bandt who worked at the Ford Geelong plant in the early thirties after getting feedback from farmers that they wanted a work vehicle but something with the comfort of a closed car that they could also take to church on sundays. So in 1933 a young Lew took a 33 coupe strengthend the frame, added sides to the body and the coupe ute was born and became a unique piece of Australian motoring history. The influence Lew's idea had on the motoring industry was so great that global manufacturers had taken note of this unique Aussie creation and eventually the idea of the ute caught on around the world with many countrys getting their own unique version of the ute. After Lew Bandt retired he decided he would like to own one of the original utes but couldn't find one, so he found a wreck of a 34 sedan and built one again from scatch, which is the car Lew is pictured with above. Unfortunately in 1987 returning to Geelong after filming a documentary for the Australian Broadcasting Commision, Lew was killied after a head on with a gravel truck, however his beloved ute has been restored and now resides in the Ford Museum in Geelong. Here also is a picture of another Aussie 35 ute also from Geelong taken at the 1977 Narrandera Streetrod Nationals. This car is now owned by someone in the States.
My 65 XP Falcon ute project 351w / toploader , they have 60 comet front clip but Aussie grill How I want the roof done , chopped & runs a standard coupe screen !!!
Thats debatable. While we have cars that are unique to our country you guys got spoilt rotten. There is no where else on the planet that got graced with the cars and history you have, your muscle cars are to die for, the early ford body styles you have, your history, I love it all and envy you blokes.
banjeaux bob - Yep ... oz40 started the "Aussie Icon-- The UTE" thread 3 years ago ... it currently has 465 replies & 68,335 views!
I love that black chevy ute. Its one of my lottery cars. I win the lottery and it goes in my garage.. I would love to find a 49-52 chevy ute one day to build
My old ute from about 15 years ago.. 1962 EK GMH Not mine but photoshopped lower as this one sits stock height in real life..
I found almost 350 Ute files on the hard drive and split them into categories. May as well start with this one... -------------------- This '39 was pulled from a shed and went straight onto Ebay in august? 2006. This is exactly how it was shipped and if I recall the auction sale price was ~ $11,000 Australian. The new owner brought it back to life, cleaned it up and sprayed brown primer over the body and that's about when it started to tour various swap meets...
Dang! I've always liked the different... these Utes are sweeeet! After looking at all of these babies, I'm feeling inspired. I want one too. I think it would be one cool time out in the garage to come up with a one off version of something or another. You got my wheels turnin' guys. Might have to give it a try someday. Thanks for sharing, everybody
Ford designed and introduced the Ute in 1931, read on..... Here's a few pics/info on the original model Ford Deluxe Pickup for 1931 These were introduced and referred to as a Utility before Lew and his 33. Here are the utes for '32 models 302 and 304 Welltype
Some various ads from the ages (not in any particular order) Mostly Ford but you may be surprised to find other lesser known brands in there.... .
The Jalopy Journal
