New Ute

[Milaca]

Being that Ford debuted the Ranchero in 1957 and Chevy debuted the El Camino in 1959, did Studebaker consider producing such a ute at this time? Perhaps this is how the Champ came about? If only it had been given a catchy Spanish name....


SnowLark
In the middle of Minnestudea

[Starlight]

Yes, Studebaker did consider an El Co/Ranchero type of vehicle, based on the 59/60 Lark station wagon....Some time back there was a brief article of it, with pictures in the Turning wheels.....It would have been a good looking vehicle.....Keep on Studebakering

[Ian Mackellar]

"UTE" is short for Utility.Tourers and the like were cut down in the 20's-30's and earned the name. I think Dick Steinkamp liked this oddity although his "ute" was previosly known as "Kart Hauler" I believe.I personly I think most of the conversions have design issues with the transition at the rear window.[img][/img] This is an Aussie produced "UTE" by GMH (General Motors Holden) It is powered by Corvette 6Litre.Also was produced in Coupe body as Monaro in Australia and as Pontiac Firebird in US.

1958 Golden Hawk
1962 GT Hawk
1963 Avanti R2
1963 Avanti Salt Racer

[sals54]

The red Ute is a great looking car. The pictures do not do it justice. The craftsmanship is good. While it doesn't look "factory" in terms of fit and finish, the thoughtfulness of how it was put together and its utility nature is impressive. It has a chained tailgate, a flat floor in the rear, and behind the front seat is a compartment which opens to the space under the bed which allows storage for the spare tire and other stowable items. The engine sounds awesome and the interior is in very good condition. I can't wait to see how it buffs out. Its gonna look like a million bucks. Well, in this economy, maybe just a half a million. Now, Steve, when are you going to get that 53 hood on your Coupe?????

sals54

[sals54]

Speaking of Utes... and this is barely Stude related, but I did see while picking up a Studebaker, so maybe it sorta counts, eh? Its a Kaiser Manhattan Ute. Rough, but quite interesting.



sals54

[Milaca]

quote:Originally posted by Ian Mackellar


This is an Aussie produced "UTE" by GMH (General Motors Holden) It is powered by Corvette 6Litre.Also was produced in Coupe body as Monaro in Australia and as Pontiac Firebird in US.

Gaday Ian. The coupe was sold here as a Pontiac G8 and GM considered selling a ute version of it here also until the economy here tanked. The latest news is that Chevrolet may rebadge the Monaro coupe as an Impala. I never considered buying a foreign made car, but my next 'new' used car will likely be an Australian built Pontiac G8. They are a great looking car even though they are a 4-door.


SnowLark
In the middle of Minnestudea

[junior]

Ian M makes a good point. As much as I love El'Caminos etc, most cars that are converted to utes seem to be somewhat akward with the rear window/pillar treatment. I'm really not one to talk as I can't even come close to having the ability to convert any car to a ute, but to me there are usually unresolved styling issues. Take the Kart Hauler for example, very cool idea to use the orginal Stude back window, but something does't quite 'gel'. My brother and I were talking about this last year, and he came up with the idea of using the Stude rear window but rotating it 180 degrees so it has a convex orientation as viewed from the tailgate, kind of like the last generation of El'Caminos. This of course would make a much wider rear pillar from the side view, which might look awkard as well, who knows? Perhaps someone on the forum with drawing skills might be able to do a rendering what this might look like. I tried to do one, but drawing stick people is even a challenge for me. Anyone up for the challenge? ps, please if any one has created their own ute, do not take offence at my comments, alot of conversions have astounding workmanship on them, for example the Kart Hauler, and the Yellow ute on this thread, its just a styling observation that I've made over the years. (all the utes on this thread are all cool, even the Kaiser Super Sonic.) Talking about the Holden ute, do a u-tube search for 'top gear holden maloo'.



54 Champ C5 Hamilton car. In my family since 1958.

[avantilover]

Can't be many of the Kaiser Manhattan Ute's out there, hope it can be saved.

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Lockleys South Australia