Coupé utility

Australian advertisement, mid-1950s

5th generation Chevrolet El Camino

Definition

Compared with other types of pickup trucks in the 1930s, the term coupé utility was defined as combining a more stylish, comfortable and roomier coupe roofline with an integrated cargo tray, however since the 1950s the definition of the term has become blurred.

History

The body style originated in Australia. 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 based on and the model (called a "coupe utility" at the time) was released in 1934. A convertible version, known as the roadster utility was produced in limited numbers by Ford in the 1930s.

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.

The United States followed suit with the release of Ford's Ranchero in 1957 and Chevrolet's El Camino in 1959.

List of coupé utilities

• 1954–1971 Austin Cambridge Coupe Utility
• 1959–1960, 1964–1987 Chevrolet El Camino
• 2001-present Chevrolet Montana
• 1991–1995 Daihatsu Mira P1/Miracab
• 1982–1984 Dodge Rampage
• 1983–2011 Ford Bantam
• 1998–present Ford Courier (Brazil)
• 1961–present Ford Falcon Ute (Australia)
• 1957–1959, 1968–1979 Ford Ranchero (full size)
• 1960–1967 Ford Ranchero (Falcon compact)
• 1988–present Holden Commodore Ute
• 1951–1968 Holden Standard/Business/Special
• 1975–1990 Hyundai Pony
• 1963–1972 Isuzu Wasp
• 1973–1981 Kia Brisa pickup (rebadged Mazda Familia pickup)
• 1963–1977 Mazda Familia pickup
• 1989–2002 Mazda Rustler (rebadged 2nd generation Ford Bantam)
• 1965-1971 Mitsubishi Colt 800
• 1971–1980 Morris Marina pickup
• 1971–2008 Nissan Sunny Truck/"Bakkie"
• 1993-2010 Opel Corsa pickup/Utility
• 1982–1984 Plymouth Scamp
• 1955–1966 Peugeot 403
• 1968–2009 Peugeot 504
• 1991-1995 Škoda Pick-up
• 1994–2001 Škoda Felicia Pickup/Fun
• 2002–2006 Subaru Baja
• 1978–1993 Subaru BRAT/Brumby/Shifter/MV/Targa
• 1983–1988 Suzuki Mighty Boy
• 2000–2001 Toyota bB Open Deck
• 1960–1969 Toyota Corona Pickup
• 1962–1971 Toyopet/Toyota Crown Masterline pickup
• 1979–1996 Volkswagen Caddy/Rabbit pickup
• 1996–2001 Volkswagen Caddy Typ 9U (rebadged Škoda Felicia Pickup)
• 1980–present Volkswagen Pointer/Saveiro

Prototypes

• AMC Cowboy: Derived from the Hornet, it was intended to compete with small pickups imported from Japan, but the project was canceled after AMC acquired Jeep, which already sold small pickups.
• BMW M3 ute/pickup: On April Fools' Day 2011, BMW announced the BMW M3 ute/pickup. 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.
• Pontiac G8 ST: a rebadged Holden Ute (which is based on the Holden Commodore sedan, which is badged as a Pontiac G8 in the USA) which was shown at the New York International Auto Show in March 2008. It was slated for release as a 2010 model, but was cancelled before any were sold.