No, it’s not a custom. Yes, it was factory built by Holden of Australia. One of 2300 built. Right-hand-drive, but you’ll get used to it, don’t worry. Lived its entire life in the desert. Super clean and runs great!
Having spent most of its life in Victoria, Australia (which is mostly desert), and then coming to California in the early 2000s, you can see why this 1950 Chevrolet Ute is so beautifully preserved. It has been repainted just once in its original beige color, which was the only color available on a Ute in 1950. Everything forward of the firewall should look familiar even to US enthusiasts, because it’s more or less identical to US-built Chevrolets. Fenders, hood, grille, all of it should interchange with US cars. The cab has ideal proportions and quarter windows that keep it bright and airy inside, and the pickup bed offers molded-in fenders right from the factory, which is probably why everything thinks it’s some kind of trick custom. It also has a bespoke tailgate with a neat handle and Chevrolet emblem, plus a hinged panel underneath for access to the spare tire. The paint is several years old and has some patina, but somehow it suits the Ute just fine—do you really want something like this to be perfect? Panel fit is quite good and as I mentioned, this truck/car spent its life in the desert, so rust is a total non-issue. Most of the trim is stainless, so it shines up nicely and the grille and bumpers are in excellent shape.
Yes, it has right-hand drive, and that’s the first thing folks notice when they open the door. It might seem scary or weird to you, but don’t let that turn you off from this neat little trucklet. I promise that after five miles of driving, you’ll have zero issues with the shifter on the left side of the column and sitting on the “wrong” side of the vehicle really isn’t a big deal, even in traffic. Don’t worry, you can handle this and it’s a lot of fun to freak people out when you’re sitting on the other side of the vehicle! It’s also a nice place to hang out, with a fresh brown vinyl seat cover and door panels, as original, plus fresh carpets that help keep it comfortable inside. Chevy fans will quickly recognize the familiar gauge pod, which puts the auxiliary dials around the perimeter of the speedometer, and they all work properly. It also features a radio and a clock, although neither is operational due to the 12-volt electrical system. Accessory turn signals were added for safety and I suspect you’ll have no problem feeling at home in the Ute after just a few minutes of familiarization.
Mechanically, it’s identical to all 1950 Chevrolets, with a 216 cubic inch inline-6 under the hood. It’s conventionally configured, with the downdraft carburetor and oil bath air cleaner on the left side of the block and a simple linkage to re-route it over to the pedal on the right. It’s finished in corporate blue/gray engine enamel and needs nothing more than a few reproduction decals to look factory-correct. It has been rebuilt and more recently it was tuned with fresh ignition components so it lights off almost instantly and idles with a smoothness that belies its origins as a work vehicle. The big radiator keeps it cool under almost any conditions and while it has been upgraded to 12 volts, it still uses a generator for an authentic look under the hood. It’s torquey and eager, so it zips through traffic without complaints.
The 3-speed manual transmission shifts easily once you master shifting with your left hand, and the feel will be identical to the American version you used to own. Clutch take-up is light and smooth and it steps off from idle without any shuddering or excessive clutch slipping. The gears in back are 4.11s, so it’s not a high-speed cruiser, although it’s pretty happy at 55-60 MPH. The suspension is car-based, so ride quality is quite good without the bouncy crudeness of a pickup and the single exhaust has a nice 6-cylinder purr. You can see how clean it is underneath, thanks to a lifetime in the dry heat of Australia. 6.70-15 Firestone bias-ply tires give it an authentic look and feel and the simplicity if the “dog dish” hubcaps is the perfect complement to the no-nonsense Ute.
This Ute is rare enough for us to say with confidence that it’s going to be the only one at any show you attend, and it’s probably the nicest of its kind anywhere. It’s also a great deal of fun to drive and if you like being the star of the show, few vehicles attract more attention than this. As I mentioned, people are going to have a lot of questions when they see it. Just a neat little truck at a great price. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
