1938 Terraplane Ute

Jon B

For those who don't know, Australians could buy stylish, passenger car-based pickup trucks decades before the first "Ranchero" appeared in the U.S. Australian body companies converted many American brands to this body style starting in the 20's or early 30's.

I have seen present-day photos of a '38 ute which is decaying in a barn over in Oz, and I think it's a shame that this rare beauty hasn't been restored!

For an interesting article on utes with many photos, see the following message at the Die Cast Forum: diecast.org/diecast98/html/asp/forums/forum18/viewMessage.asp?id=121967&start=121965

Here's an original ad for an Australian-built '38 Terraplane coupe-utility, or "ute":

Browniepetersen

Had a local a few years ago buy a Chevrolet Ute (1936) and do a mild rod treatment to it. It was a hit at all of the car shows. His contact in Oz had a 35 Chevrolet Ute Roadster Pick up that I tried to buy and missed out on it. They were well built and I was not aware that they did any Hudson's. Would be a fun project for someone.....

Jon B

Oh, they most certainly "uted" Hudson / Terraplane pickups for a number of years!