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Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is neither a Ford Ranchero nor a Chevy El Camino, but a Ford ute manufactured by Ford’s Australian branch but modified in the ensuing years.
We have a farmer’s wife from Gippsland, Victoria, to thank for these utility trucks. In need of a car that was both comfortable and tough, she sent a letter to the managing director of the Ford Motor Company of Australia in mid-1933 that read:
“My husband and I can’t afford a car and a truck but we need a car to go to church on Sunday and a truck to take the pigs to the market on Monday. Can you help?”
This 1949 Ford ute example that’s up for auction has been professionally restored and features refinished brightwork, replacement bed planks, Vintage Air HVAC system, modern stereo and Flowmaster exhaust system.
The Candy Cinnamon painted body wears chrome bumpers, a ‘bullet nose’ front grille and dual exhaust outlets.
Being Australian-born, this ute was originally a right-hand-drive, but the previous owner has converted it to a left-hand-drive.
The interior was refinished in cream vinyl with matching door panels and a body-colored dash.
Powering the truck is a General Motors 350cid V8 installed under prior ownership. It’s paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and a General Motors 10-bolt rear end.
This Ford UTE’s auction ends May 12 at 12:20 p.m. PDT.
Visit this truck’s AutoHunter listing for more information and gallery of photos and videos.
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