first australian ute Page 39

The first Australian ute was the 1934 Ford Coupe Utility, designed by Lew Bandt at Ford Australia in Geelong.

Legend has it a farmer’s wife asked for something that could go to church on Sunday and cart pigs on Monday, and Ford obliged with style.

They married a coupe cabin to a cargo tray and coined the term “coupe utility,” effectively inventing the ute blueprint everyone else copied.

Holden joined later with the 1951 50-2106, but Ford got there first and nabbed the bragging rights.

Quintessentially Aussie: practical, a bit cheeky, and tougher than a Sunday roast overcooked by your uncle.