Coupé utility explained

A coupé utility is a vehicle with a passenger compartment at the front and an integrated cargo tray at the rear, with the front of the cargo bed doubling as the rear of the passenger compartment.

The term originated in the 1930s, where it was used to distinguish passenger-car-based two-door vehicles with an integrated cargo tray from traditional pickup trucks^[1] that have a cargo bed separate from the passenger compartment. Since the 2000s, this type of vehicle has also been referred to as a "pick-up",^{[2] [3]} "car-based pick-up" or "car-based truck".^{[4] [5]}

In Australia, where the traditional style of coupé utility remained popular until it ceased production in 2017, it is commonly called a "ute", although the term is also used there to describe traditional-style pickups.

History

See main article: Ute (vehicle).

The body style originated in Australia.^[6] It was the result of a 1932 letter from the wife of a farmer in Victoria, Australia, to Ford Australia asking for "a vehicle to go to church in on a Sunday and which can carry our pigs to market on Mondays". In response, Ford designer Lew Bandt developed a vehicle to meet the client's request. Commencing in October 1933, with assistance from draftsman A. Scott,^[7] Bandt used the passenger compartment and roof from the Ford V8 five-window coupe and extended the rear section using a single fixed side panel on each side, with a hinged tailgate at the rear to create the load carrying compartment.

The model was released in July 1934 as the coupe utility.^[7] In his book Early Australian Automotive Design: The First Fifty Years, Australian motoring historian Norm Darwin suggests the idea was not a big leap in design from existing roadster utility models produced by various manufacturers as early as 1924.^[8] Darwin also suggests that the idea was being developed by other manufacturers simultaneously, because General Motors-Holden released Bedford and Chevrolet coupe utilities in September 1934,^[9] only two months after Ford, with the main difference being the use of the three-window coupe roof on the GM-H products. Other manufacturers were quick to follow, with coupe utilities based on various passenger and light truck chassis.^[10]

In North America, the idea was also trialed by some manufacturers. Studebaker created the Studebaker Coupe Express and sold it between 1937 and 1939.

In 1951, Holden released a model based on its 48-215 sedan, reinforcing the Australian tradition of home-grown two-door passenger-car sedan chassis-based "utility" vehicles with a tray at the back, known colloquially as a "ute", although the term was also applied to larger vehicles such as pickup trucks.

America followed suit with the release of the Ford Ranchero in 1957 and Chevrolet El Camino in 1959.^{[11] [12]}

North American models

Ford Ranchero

The first modern American coupe utility was the Ford Ranchero, introduced by the Ford in 1957 and produced until 1979. Unlike a standard pickup truck, the Ranchero was adapted from a two-door station wagon platform that integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. A total of 508,355 units were produced during the model's production run.^[13] Over its lifespan it was variously derived from full-sized, compact, and intermediate automobiles sold by Ford for the North American market.

The original Ranchero sold well enough to spawn a competitor from General Motors in 1959, the Chevrolet El Camino.^[14]

Chevrolet El Camino

The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupé utility/pickup vehicle produced by Chevrolet from 1959 to 1960 and from 1964 to 1987.

Introduced in 1958 (for the 1959 model year) in response to the success of the Ford Ranchero pickup, its first run lasted only two years. Production resumed in 1963 (for the 1964 model year) based on the Chevelle A-platform. In 1977 (for the 1978 model year), it was shifted to the GM G-body platform. Production finished in 1987.

Although based on corresponding Chevrolet car lines, the vehicle is classified and titled in North America as a truck. GMC's badge-engineered El Camino variant, the Sprint, was introduced in 1970 (for the 1971 model year). It was renamed Caballero in 1977 (for the 1978 model year), and produced until 1987.

Other North American coupé utilities

• 1936–1942 Chevrolet Coupe Delivery^[15]
• 1982–1984 Dodge Rampage
• 1981–1982 Ford Durango
• 1971–1987 GMC Sprint / Caballero (GMC rebadge of the El Camino)
  • 1937–1939 Studebaker Coupe Express 1983 Plymouth Scamp

South American models

Since the 1970s, utes have been built in Brazil under European car-maker badges, usually based on hatchbacks. For example, the Ford Courier was based on the Ford Fiesta MkIV. Current examples include the Chevrolet Montana, based on the Opel Corsa and later on the Chevrolet Agile, the Peugeot Hoggar, based on the South American Peugeot 207, the Volkswagen Saveiro, based on the Volkswagen Gol, and the Fiat Strada, based on the Fiat Palio.

Other South American coupé utility models:

• 1983–1994 Chevrolet Chevy 500 (Brazil)
• 2003–2021 Chevrolet Montana
• 1994–2004 Chevrolet Corsa Pick Up (Argentina and Brazil)
• 1953–1979 Citroën 2CV "Citroneta" (South America only)
• 1977–2013 Fiat Fiorino
• 1971–1990 Dodge 1500 (Uruguay)^[16]
• 1996–present Fiat Strada
• 1998–2013 Ford Courier (Brazil)
• 1973–1991 Ford Falcon Ranchero (Argentina)
• 1982–1997 Ford Pampa (Brazil)
• 2010–2014 Peugeot Hoggar
• 2015–present Ram 700 (Mexico-exclusive rebadged version of the Fiat Strada)
• 1980–present Volkswagen Saveiro/Pointer coupé utility

Asian models

• 1991–1995 Daihatsu Mira P1/Miracab
• 2004–2007 Geely Rural Nanny
  • • • 1975–1990 Hyundai Pony 1965–1971 Mitsubishi Colt 800 1971–2007 Nissan Sunny 1990–1998 Nissan NV (Thailand domestic models built under license)
• 1955–1957 Prince Commercial Pickup AIPC-1/AIPC-2
• 1957–1967 Prince Skyway pickup
• 2002–2010 Proton Arena/Jumbuck
• 2002–2006 Subaru Baja (sold in the United States, Canada and Chile)
• 1978–1993 Subaru BRAT/Brumby/Shifter/MV/Targa
• 1983–1988 Suzuki Mighty Boy
• 2000–2001 Toyota bB Open Deck
• 1960–1969 Toyota Corona coupé utility
• 1959–1971 Toyopet/Toyota Crown Masterline coupé utility
• 1955–1959 Toyopet Masterline
• 1968–1974 Toyota Mark II coupé utility
• 1964–1988 Toyota Publica coupé utility/Toyota coupé utility^[17]

South African models

Australian Holden Kingswood, Ford Falcon and Chrysler Valiant utes were sold in South Africa as the Chevrolet El Camino,^{[18] [19]} Ford Ranchero,^{[20] [21] [22]} and Valiant Rustler^{[23] [24]} respectively. Some re-badged versions of South American utes are sold in South Africa (where the term "bakkie" instead of "ute" is popular) under different names, such as the Chevrolet Montana and the Ford Courier, sold there as Opel Corsa Utility (later as Chevrolet Utility)^[25] and Ford Bantam respectively.

Other South African coupé utility models:

• 1975–1979 Dodge Husky (South Africa)
• 1989–2002 Mazda Rustler (rebadged 2nd generation Ford Bantam)
• 2008–present Nissan NP200 (rebadged Dacia Logan Pick-Up, built and sold in South Africa)

European models

Austin MarinaA coupé utility, based on the 1971–1980 Morris Marina, with a 1275 cc engine, was badged as an Austin.^[26] Not many of them were sold.

MiniVariously badged pick-up variants were built on the chassis of the Mini estate/wagon.

Other European coupé utilities

• 1949–1952 Armstrong Siddeley Whitley 18 Utility Coupé
• 1949–1952 Armstrong Siddeley Whitley 18 Station Coupé (extended cab with a rear seat)
• 1956 Austin A35
• 1957–1973 Austin A55 Cambridge
• 1950–1954 Austin A70 Hereford
• Commer Light Pick-up (commercial variant of the Hillman Minx)
  • 2007–2012 Dacia Logan Pick-Up 1975–2012 Dacia Logan/Logan II
• 1972–1982 Emelba 127 Poker
• 1977–2013 Fiat Fiorino
• 1953-1973 Morris Minor
• 1974–2001 Moskvitch/IZh 27151
  • 1955–1966 Peugeot 403 1979–1996 Peugeot 504
  • 1975–1985 Simca 1100 1991–1995 Škoda Pick-up
• 1994–2001 Škoda Felicia Pickup/Fun
• 1954–1960 Standard 6 cwt utility (commercial variant of the Standard Ten)
• 1950–1964 Standard Vanguard utility (also sold as "Standard Pick-up Truck")^[27]
• 1979–2007 Volkswagen Caddy Typ 14/Rabbit coupé utility
• 1996–2001 Volkswagen Caddy Typ 9U (rebadged Škoda Felicia coupé utility)
• Singer SM1500^[28]

• 1971-1993 Ford P100

Middle Eastern models

• 1967–2005 Paykan coupé utility (Iran)
• 2015–present IKCO Arisun
• 2008–present SAIPA Pick-Up

Australian models

See main article: Ute (vehicle).

Coupe utilities have been produced in Australia since the 1930s. The three major Australian manufacturers (GM-Holden, Ford and Chrysler) offered coupe utility versions of their most popular models, and many of the smaller manufacturers also offered coupe utilities in their range.^{[29] [30] [31] [32]} In many cases, if a coupe utility was not available as part of the regular model range an aftermarket coachbuilder would build one to customer order. Coupe utilities were also offered by various manufacturers on light truck style chassis,^{[10] [33] [34] [35] [36]} alongside their regular style pickup and cab-chassis offerings.

Examples include:

Ford

• 1934–1940 Ford coupe utility
• 1941–1948 Ford
• 1949–1951 Ford
• 1946–1953 Ford Anglia A54A (1946–48) and Anglia A494A (1949–53)
• 1956–1962 Ford Consul Mark II and Ford Zephyr Mark II
• 1960–1999 Ford Falcon (from 1999 to 2016 the Falcon utility had a separate pick up bed and was therefore no longer strictly a coupe utility)
• 1952–1959 Ford Mainline
• 1949–1951 Ford Pilot
• 1953–1955 Ford Popular 103E
• 1939–1953 Ford Prefect E93A/E03A (1939–45), Ford Prefect A53A (1946–48) and Prefect A493A (1948–53)
• 1937–1938 Ford Ten 6 cwt coupe utility^[37]
• 1946–1958 Mercury Club Coupe Utility
• 1989–1991 Nissan Ute (badge engineered version of the Ford Falcon (XF) utility)

General Motors-Holden

• From 1934 various GM chassis were available fitted with coupe utility bodywork^{[38] [39] [40] [41]}
• Bedford HC 6 cwt Carryall (commercial variant of the Vauxhall 10-4)^[42]
• 1946–1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster
• 1949–1952 Chevrolet Styleline
• 1951–1968 Holden
• 1990–2017 Holden Commodore/Holden Ute (models from 2000 to 2017 were marketed as Holden Utes not Commodores)
• 1968–1984 Belmont/Kingswood
• 1952–1954 Vauxhall Wyvern E series and 1952–1957 Velox E Series^[43]

Chrysler

• From 1935, various Dodge, Plymouth and Fargo chassis were available fitted with coupe utility bodywork^{[44] [45] [46]}
• 1958–1961 Chrysler Wayfarer
• 1965–1971 Chrysler Valiant/Valiant Wayfarer
• 1971–1978 Chrysler Valiant
• 1956–1957 DeSoto Diplomat
• 1966–1976 Dodge (lower spec version of the Valiant/Wayfarer utility)
• 1956–1957 Dodge Kingsway
• 1956–1957 Plymouth Cranbrook/Savoy/Belvedere

BMC

• Austin A40 Devon (Several unique variants were offered on the Australian market, including the Austin A40 Panelside and the A40 Hi-Lite)^[47]
• 1956 Austin A50^[48]
• Austin A55 Cambridge
• 1968–1971 Austin 1800

Standard

• Morris Eight Series II, Series E and Series Z
• Standard Vanguard
• Triumph Maylower^[49]

Rootes Group

• 1939 Hillman Fourteen^[50]
• 1956 Hillman deluxe utility based on Mark VIII Hillman Minx

Lightburn

• Zeta utility^[51]

Prototypes

• AMC Cowboy: Derived from the Hornet, it was intended to compete with small pickups from Japan, but the project was canceled after AMC acquired Jeep, which already sold small pickups.^[52]
• Austin Metro Ranger: A concept based on the first generation model, it featured a full roll bar, flood lights, and a rear-mounted spare.^[53]
• BMW M3 ute/pickup: On April Fools' Day 2011, BMW announced the BMW M3 ute/pickup.^{[54] [55] [56]} This vehicle was based on the E93 Convertible and featured a structured aluminum pickup bed and removable targa roof. It was created by BMW's M Division as a one-off workshop transport vehicle for use within the company.^[57] It was actually the second such ute that BMW built for this purpose: they had previously built one using a first generation M3 convertible in 1986. This coupe ute served the factory for 26 years before the April Fools car was built to replace it.^[58]
• Pontiac G8 ST:^{[59] [60]} A rebadged Holden Ute (which is based on the Holden Commodore sedan, although rebadged as a Pontiac G8 in North America) was shown at the New York International Auto Show in March 2008. It was slated for release in the third quarter of 2009 for the 2010 model year, but was quickly cancelled before any were sold due to budgeting cuts and Pontiac's near bankruptcy.^{[61] [60]}
• Toyota X-Runner: Concept vehicle displayed by Toyota Australia at the 2003 Melbourne and Sydney International Motor Shows.^[62] The body shell was largely based on that of the first generation Avalon (production of which picked up in Australia a few months after it left off in North America, and lasted until 2005), while the suspension and AWD parts were borrowed from the contemporary Lexus RX. It was intended for production, but Toyota of Australia could not get approval from the parent company.^[62]

See also

• Car body styles
• Kei truck
• Pickup truck
• Roadster utility
• Truck classification
• Ute (vehicle)

Notes and References

1. News: Editorial: Australia DID NOT invent the Ute! . Mark . Oastler . Joe . Kenwright . Truck Jungle . Australia . 7 February 2012 . 29 September 2016.
2. Web site: Pick-up Skoda Auto. Skoda. https://web.archive.org/web/20110716081841/http://new.skoda-auto.com/com/model/olders/models/pages/favoritpick-up.aspx. 16 July 2011.
3. Web site: Chevrolet Montana 2018. Chevrolet. Brazil. 4 March 2018.
4. Web site: List of Car-Based Pick Ups (Utes). Opposite Lock. 4 March 2018. 5 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233605/https://oppositelock.kinja.com/list-of-car-based-pick-ups-utes-1735445782. dead.
5. Web site: Is The Car-Based Pickup Truck Doomed To Be A Cyclical Fad?. Jalopnik. 14 May 2016 . 4 March 2018.
6. Web site: Ford Milestones 1930′s » Ford Discovery Centre . Forddiscovery.com . 2019-06-19.
7. Early Australian Automotive Design; The First Fifty Years. Norm Darwin page 179
8. Early Australian Automotive Design; The First Fifty Years. Norm Darwin pages 178-179
9. Early Australian Automotive Design; The First Fifty Years. Norm Darwin page 184
10. Early Australian Automotive Design; The First Fifty Years. Norm Darwin page 185
11. Web site: Will the Coupe Utility Ever Come Back to the United States? . rides.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20130718181927/http://social.rides.com/blog/33/will-the-coupe-utility-ever-come-back-to-the-united-states . 18 July 2013.
12. Web site: TruckFest Rewind: Rare Australian 1946 Ford Ute Delights . OnAllCylinders . 2012-10-04 . 2019-06-19.
13. Web site: Ford Ranchero History and Production Figures . Dearborn Classics . 2009-10-30 . 9 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191009122250/https://www.dearbornclassics.com/ranchero.html . dead .
14. Web site: Chevrolet El Camino. OldRide.com. 16 October 2011.
15. 1936 Chevrolet coupe-pickup . Daniel . Strohl . Hemmings Motor News . US . April 2010 . 12 April 2020.
16. Web site: Avengermino! The Dodge 1500 Pickup! . Jalopnik . Davey G. . Johnson . 1 March 2007 . 5 March 2018.
17. Web site: 75 Years of TOYOTA Vehicle Lineage Publica Pickup Description . Toyota . 2012 . 26 November 2017.
18. Web site: Chevrolet El Camino - HK Holden ute | The El Camino ute broc… . Flickr . 2009-08-28 . 2019-06-19.
19. Web site: Chevrolet El Camino - HQ Holden ute | The Kingswood ute was … . Flickr . 2009-08-28 . 2019-06-19.
20. Web site: 1969 Ford Ranchero (South Africa) | Based on the XT Falcon U… . Flickr . 2015-03-05 . 2019-06-19.
21. Web site: 1974 Ford Ranchero (South Africa) | Based on the XA Falcon U… . Flickr . 2015-03-04 . 2019-06-19.
22. Web site: 1997 Ford Ranchero XR6 (South Africa) | In 1997 Ford reintro… . Flickr . 2013-10-05 . 2019-06-19.
23. Web site: 1973 Valiant Rustler (South Africa) | Michael . Flickr . 2017-10-02 . 2019-06-19.
24. Web site: 1974 Valiant Rustler (South Africa) | Michael . Flickr . 2017-10-02 . 2019-06-19.
25. Web site: Chevrolet Utility, our new Corsa Bakkie, for sale in South Africa (archived) . https://web.archive.org/web/20170911131537/http://www.williamshunt.co.za/new/chevrolet/utility/ . 2017-09-11 . 2019-06-19.
26. http://morris.automodern.net/morris_marina/12 Morris Marina
27. Web site: Flickr: DedliNZ's Photostream . 2017-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131104101641/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dedlinz/ . 2013-11-04 . dead .
28. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page7650581?zoomLevel=1 Advertisement for Singer SM1500 Half Ton Coupe Utility, The Nambour Chronicle, Friday, 29 February 1952, page 10
29. News: Comfort And Utility . The Herald . Melbourne . 9 March 1936 . 22 February 2019 . Trove.
30. News: International's New Utility . The Herald . Melbourne . 13 April 1936 . 22 February 2019 . Trove.
31. News: The Willys 77 Coupe Utility . The Daily Standard . Brisbane . 2 September 1935 . 22 February 2019 . Trove.
32. News: COMMER 8-CWT. COUPE UTILITY . The Herald . Melbourne . 30 November 1936 . 22 February 2019 . Trove.
33. Web site: 21 Feb 1938 - LATEST REO UTILITY - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1938-02-21 . 2019-06-19.
34. Web site: 11 Aug 1952 - Trucks Help Keep Industry Turning - Trove . Trove . 1952-08-11 . 2019-06-19.
35. Web site: 26 Mar 1940 - COMFORT AND STYLE FEATURES OF MODERN COMMERCIALS. Trove . 1940-03-26 . 2019-06-19.
36. Web site: 26 May 1936 - MOTORING - Trove . Trove . 1936-05-26 . 2019-06-19.
37. Web site: 22 Nov 1937 - FORD TEN COUPE UTILITY! RELEASED TODAY - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1937-11-22 . 2019-06-19.
38. Web site: 02 Oct 1934 - MOTORS & MOTORING - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1934-10-02 . 2019-06-19.
39. Web site: 22 Nov 1936 - Truck Likes The Going Rough - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1936-11-22 . 2019-06-19.
40. Web site: 25 Oct 1939 - CHEVROLET OPEN COUPE UTILITY - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1939-10-25 . 2019-06-19.
41. Web site: 13 Oct 1939 - MOTORING - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1939-10-13 . 2019-06-19.
42. New Bedford Carryall . . The Courier-Mail . Brisbane . 18 . 1938-05-09 . 2020-11-18 .
43. Web site: 24 Feb 1953 - Vauxhall Builds A Utility - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1953-02-24 . 2019-06-19.
44. Web site: 09 Apr 1935 - 1935 STANDARD DODGE - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1935-04-09 . 2019-06-19.
45. Web site: 12 Jul 1937 - COUPE UTILITY - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1937-07-12 . 2019-06-19.
46. Web site: 07 May 1939 - CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH UTILITY MODELS - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1939-05-07 . 2019-06-19.
47. Web site: AUSTIN WORKS Australian Utilities Page . Austinworks.com . 2019-06-19.
48. Web site: 05 Dec 1956 - A 50 UTILITY IS HERE - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1956-12-05 . 2019-06-19.
49. Web site: 15 Aug 1952 - MAYFLOWER UTILITY - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1952-08-15 . 2019-06-19.
50. Web site: 18 Apr 1939 - NEW HILLMAN "14" UTILITY - Trove . Trove.nla.gov.au . 1939-04-18 . 2019-06-19.
51. Web site: 1964 Lightburn Zeta Ute Brochure Cover - Australia . Flickr . 2018-08-05 . 2019-06-19.
52. Web site: AMC Cowboy . all-car-brands.com . dead . https://archive.today/20130116151455/http://www.all-car-brands.com/amc/concepts-and-prototypes/1971-amc-cowboy/ . 2013-01-16 .
53. Web site: Metro Ranger . Keith . Adams . AROnline . UK . 27 September 2011 . 5 March 2018.
54. News: 2011 BMW M3 ute spotted on Nurburgring . Brett . Davis . Car Advice . Australia . 2011-03-16 . 2017-07-01.
55. News: Officially Official: 420-HP BMW M3 Pickup hauls ass, nearly 1,000 pounds . Damon . Lavrinc . Autoblog . US . 2011-04-01 . 2017-07-01.
56. News: BMW's 414bhp M3 pick-up: it's real . Top Gear . BBC . UK . 2011-04-05 . 2017-07-01 . 23 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150623192758/http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/bmw-m3-pickup-2011-04-01 . dead .
57. Web site: LaVrinc. Damon. 420-hp BMW M3 Pickup. . US . 2011-04-01. 2011-04-10.
58. News: BMW Looks Back on Four M3 Prototypes That Were Never Made . Kelly . Pleskot . Motor Trend . 27 September 2016 . 29 September 2016.
59. Web site: Pontiac G8 Sport Truck Engine and Name . Mike . Levine . PickupTruck.com . US . 2 July 2008 . 29 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102851/http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/news/gm/pontiac/g8st/g8-st-engine-and-name-update.html . 4 March 2016 . dead .
60. Web site: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST . Motor Desktop . 14 August 2008 . 29 September 2016.
61. Web site: GM shelves plan for US launch of Pontiac G8 ST . The Free Library . 8 January 2009 . 29 September 2016.
62. Web site: Australia's best concepts: 2003 Toyota X-Runner . Whichcar.com.au . 2019-06-19.