UTEs coming from down under...

[mdsalemi]

http://www.lefthandutes.com

[Garry]

They are a dime a dozen here and every tradie has one. 

[mdsalemi]

They are a dime a dozen here and every tradie has one. 

But since the demise of the El Camino (died 1987) and earlier, the Ford Ranchero (died 1979), this interesting and unique body style is unavailable in the USA. The demand of course was and is limited, but someone's there to fill it!

This is one interesting take, as they are importing otherwise illegal and RHD Utes, and bringing enough American and domestic components (my guess is including a valid VIN) to make it work.

The "tradies" as you say, all have pickups here as you well know. A mix of mainly F-series Fords, a nearly equal mix of Chevy/GMC, and a few who insist upon RAM. There are plenty of Tundras (Toyota) and Ridgelines (Honda) too, but mostly by homeowners, not the tradespeople.

The El Camino/Ranchero UTE have a bit of a following with those who transport motorcycles for rides in distant locations.

[MikeSimon]

Being heavily active in the motorcycle business. I never considered neither a Ranchero nor an ElCamino for a "bike hauler". maybe the dirt bike guys do, but I would like to have an 8' long bed to put a bike on.

[Montreal V8]

  I wonder if they will be legal to import  to Canada.

[mdsalemi]

Being heavily active in the motorcycle business. I never considered neither a Ranchero nor an ElCamino for a "bike hauler". maybe the dirt bike guys do, but I would like to have an 8' long bed to put a bike on.

You must remember that the newest of these--that would be a 1987 El Camino, is now well over 30 years old. So even in the world of motorcycles, time has taken its toll...other vehicles have taken their place.

[Garry]

Michael,  Even Ford got into the act with their ute.  all now history as neither Ford nor GM build cars here anymore.

[MikeSimon]

You must remember that the newest of these--that would be a 1987 El Camino, is now well over 30 years old. So even in the world of motorcycles, time has taken its toll...other vehicles have taken their place.

Michael, I don't quite understand what you're saying..??

[mdsalemi]

Michael, I don't quite understand what you're saying..??

Seriously? 20 years ago, when El Caminos used were just slightly older cars, they were readily available, not too costly, and thus people who wanted them (such as my cousin who hauled his Harley around in it, along with his friends who did similar things) could easily find them and get them.

NOW as mentioned, the newest of them is 33 years old. Not easy to find in a condition worthy of safe travel. Oh sure some are available restored and such, and perhaps restoration candidates too. But today they are not just an older used car/truck that you can easily just buy.

In the late 1970s, 1960s era Mercedes like ours were all over the junkyards of America. Try finding them today...

Time changes everything.

[Montreal V8]

  Speaking of el Caminos, I have an '87, last year of production, made in Mexico, purchased by me in '91.  It is in excellent, but not mint, condition, and I consider it perfectly safe for travel, and transporting motorcycles. Must admit, you don't encounter them every day, but the occasional ones I do see are in good condition.  Just my 2 cents worth.

[MikeSimon]

Seriously, Mike...I have an idea what you are trying to tell me, but even 20 years ago, when the ElCs and Rancheros were readily available, I did not consider them as practical bike haulers. Even on most pick-up trucks, you cannot close the tailgate anymore, if you have a motorcycle on the bed.

[Montreal V8]

Quick reply. My bikes are generally British and European. I load one bike diagonally in the bed, and can always close the tailgate !

[mdsalemi]

Seriously, Mike...I have an idea what you are trying to tell me, but even 20 years ago, when the ElCs and Rancheros were readily available, I did not consider them as practical bike haulers. Even on most pick-up trucks, you cannot close the tailgate anymore, if you have a motorcycle on the bed.

Who said anything about practical? I merely mentioned that they had a bit of a following for that purpose; practical, sensible or not. Early generations didn't have tie-down eyes and folks wanting to haul bikes often had to add them along sometimes, with some kind of reinforcement. Later models had some kind of tie points. Just because you didn't consider them, or use them as a bike hauler doesn't mean others don't. The El Camino style itself was never particularly practical which is why it disappeared more than 30 years ago. But it does have a bit of a cult following. Heck even a dedicated bike trailer makes a whole lot more sense than putting a bike in the back of one of these or even a pick up truck.

There are clearly a small number of folks who miss this kind of vehicle and are willing to pay this company to have a "new" one.

[Montreal V8]

   I personally dislike trailers, and have nowhere to store one anyway.

[66andBlue]

  Speaking of el Caminos, I have an '87, last year of production, made in Mexico, purchased by me in '91.  It is in excellent, but not mint, condition, and I consider it perfectly safe for travel, and transporting motorcycles. Must admit, you don't encounter them every day, but the occasional ones I do see are in good condition.  Just my 2 cents worth.

Dale,
here is your chance to add a 1934 Australian Ute living around the corner from you:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1934-ford-roadster-7/

Michael,  Even Ford got into the act with their ute.  all now history as neither Ford nor GM build cars here anymore.

Garry,
one watcher on the BaT auction added a link to an article describing the origin of the design:
https://jalopnik.com/a-brief-history-of-australias-car-truck-ute-on-its-8-1530708773
Quite an interesting story.

[Garry]

Alfred,

I bet there is not one panel on the ute in BAT that has ever been n Australia..

I wound up my company as at 31 December last and the company had, amongst other vehicles, two Ford  utes which one of the guys purchased.  One of them I originally purchased in 2010 that was a turbo charged 6 cylinder.  It was faster than their V8 ute you could buy at the time. It was so powerful that Ford decided it should have a governer on it to limit top speed to 250KPH  It scared the hell out of me.  The particular model was a collector piece witnin a few years.

Holden (GMH) made the “maloo" ute that was credited with being the fastest standard production Ute ever made.

[MikeSimon]

Here I was watching an early episode of one of my favorite TV Shows - Doc Martin, a BBC series - and in there is a UTE. I could not identify the make and model as they most certainly never sold it in the U.S.
It looked like a Japanese one, either a small Toyota or Nissan? Maybe I can dig up a picture

[Montreal V8]

  Thanks Alfred, but not my style.   Agree with Garry, there certainly isn't much, if any, Australian,  content .

[66andBlue]

Dale and Garry,
I completely agree with you that this so-called 1934 ute has very little if any Australian parts in it. But it probably provided some nice fun for the people who put it together.
Most interesting for me though, was the link to the history of the ute and its designer Lewis Bandt.

[Montreal V8]

  Alfred, yes you are right, and I didn't mean to take anything away from the effort, fun and craftsmanship of the creators.
  Dale.

[DaveB]

I recently acquired this ute (utility) and it's very practical. It can carry five people and has a 6 x 6' tray for stuff. Perhaps a little strange-looking but that's ok.

[Garry]

This was my ute.  Now in Port Headland WA.

[JN]

Can't wait to see these in the US

JN

[Duncan200]

I’d rather something like this

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/1983-holden-wb-wb-auto/SSE-AD-6787670

[Montreal V8]

  Hi all. I finally decided to replace my beloved  '87 El Camino. Consequently, I recently imported a 2002 HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) Maloo Ute. It's one of two known in Canada. RHD is legal in most provinces, but headlights need changing to LHD. Long story short, but finally found 2004 t0 2006 Pontiac GTO units fitted nicely. It is a head turner here, and goes very well, having an LS1 Corvette engine. My El Camino is currently for sale.
  On a sad note, I, very reluctantly, sold my Pagoda recently. I really wasn't driving it enough, and it deserved a better life. I should like to add the Pagoda Group forum to be the best, bar none, of several I frequent, with thanks to the information it gave me.
  All the best for the New Year,   Dale