The Ute...

So I guess the utes are made by independent shops? Or?

 

Just like here in the states many people took old cars and converted them to trucks and in some cases you could get custom work done on a new car but the real UTEs were made by the factory.

Then there are some mysteries like this 1956 Desoto Australian panel truck. Obviously made the same as a UTE based off the 4-door sedan platform and even has the UTE tailgate that matches mine. Was it a factory one off custom? I can not find any documentation on it. I have brochures to show that my UTEs were factory made not custom jobs when I display them here.
Wish I could have afforded it! It would be a great match for my UTE

 

Very cool.
Damn it, now I want one.

 

It's a Reo kids.

 

I found this photo that I probably took at the NSRA Nats East...but don't hold me to that! An American customizers version of a '56 Crown Vic UTE.

 

Correct.

 

Would love to see the pictures. I know they made a truck based version but the yellow one is the only passenger car version I have seen.

 

The american attempts at the utility would never have cut it with the Australian ute buyer. The U.S jobs would get stuck in a creek with their overhangs.
Not what you wanted in country then riding along on the sheep's back.

 

Looks like Mk 2 Zephyr wagon 'gate with Holden ..? sides.

 

Like the upside down FC Holden tail lights!

 

Fear and loathing, and guns aside, nothing gets our attention like a request for our car/truck pictures. I love trucks, and cars that look like them. Cheers to our Aussie brothers and sisters!

 

This Ute ended up at Favian Valdez's shop (Bean Bandits/ Immortals) ...



Harder Ground:

 

Looks like someone has fitted an early model Morris Minor Grill in that Willys ute!

 

Thanks for the shots of the other 56 Desoto panel.
That makes two of them, makes me wonder how many more are out there?

Here are a few pictures of some home made UTEs i have collected over the years.

 

Guess I should wake up before I reply. Do you have any history on it? Where it came from?

 

My much-loved daily driver: 1967 HR Holden ute. Identical in every way to this one except mine has original rust....

 

Norton58- thats a sweet classic. No more HR's please cobbers.
Provider of the most popular independent wishbone front end- compact, strong, true, once cheap.

 

The Chrysler Royal UTEs (1957-63) lend themselves well to modification.

 

They do? Cool. " It's called a Hemi son.." They sure look good (thanks for posting). I know at least one bloke who lists one as a bucket- list type deal. Bring 'em on! ..(bit of an ask, rare things.) They don't like being parked out in the Queensland weather too long. Boxy bed sections, hear them rust!

 

My dad was a Binder guy, he probably would have liked these IH versions?

 

When it was black it had Holden tail lights

 

...

 

Bugger. Sorry folks, that was way OT!

 

I remember Von Weirdo's FC panel had its FC taillights turned upside down. I use to see it all the time, I haven't seen it in 7-8 years.

 

Here's a theoretical question for you aussie hambers....

Say I have a nice 40 Ford Tudor Sedan, and I'm fairly proficient with metal work.

Could I buy just the unique parts (bed sides, floor, tailgate, etc) to convert the Tudor to a Ute?

My thought would be to reconfigure the Tudor back glass and quarter windows, and graft in the ute bed sides/floor/tailgate.

Rich

 

Kinda like what I was pondering but I was using a US-built, 5wd coupe top grafted onto the Aussie ute.

JH

 

Aw shit...... now we're thinking alike.

JH

 

You're my long lost twin brother....

only uglier.


Rich

 

My buddy's old ute 302 Cleveland/C4....