Vehicle Description
Awesome custom build of Australian-market Utility Coupe AKA 'Ute.'
4.6 liter Ford V8, automatic transmission, Corvette suspension and
brakes, beautiful leather interior. Practical yet sporting,
comfortable but fast, the Ute does everything well and nothing else
attracts this much attention on the road! Repatriated to Canada by
a Canadian service member, this cool Ford has enjoyed two rather
significant makeovers. The first gave it the Ford 4.6 liter V8
engine and drivetrain, along with the Corvette suspension, while
the second added the trick bodywork, including the sectioned and
decked hood that gives it that aggressive profile and the lovely
two-tone paint job. Finish quality is excellent, even for a build
that's probably approaching voting age and the condition today is a
testament to the workmanship that went into it. The purple pearl
over copper paint scheme still looks fantastic, attracting
attention while emphasizing the Ute's split personality. Of course,
all the usual modifications were included, such as shaving all the
original chrome, Frenching the headlights, and molding the rear
fenders into the bed sides. Add in features like the custom
power-actuated hard-shell tonneau cover for the bed, a Vee'd
windshield, and custom roll pans fore and aft, and you get one
great-looking mini truck that will stand out at any event. The pros
at Portage Trim used yards of buttery smooth butterscotch leather
wrapped around custom bucket seats to give it a very OEM look and
feel inside. The instrument panel is from the same Ford Thunderbird
that donated the SOHC V8 (don't worry about the mileage, which is
since the donor T-Bird was new-this vehicle probalby has 10,000
miles on the build), while the rest is pure custom, from the tilt
column to the Budnik billet aluminum wheel to the center console
that houses the Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo, OEM Ford ventilation
controls, and a pair of cupholders just for cruising. Sculpted door
panels extend the dash so it seems to wrap around the passengers
and there's a custom headliner that is beautifully fitted-this was
an extremely expensive interior!For reliability, the 4.6 liter Ford
V8 was transplanted in virtually stock condition, and with 210
horsepower and about 300 pounds of torque on tap, it's plenty
punchy in the lightweight Ute. The working bits of the engine are
cleverly hidden under a custom cover that was painted to match the
bodywork, but the finned cam covers are still visible, a nice
touch. You'll note even the OEM airbox was retained, mounted to the
side of the engine bay, and all the controls are Ford, so service
is easy and it starts and runs like a factory-built piece. There's
a massive Howe aluminum radiator up front, cooled by an equally
massive electric fan, and power steering and brakes are standard
equipment. Turn the key and it starts instantly, idles properly,
and with a deep well of V8 torque on tap, it feels quick on the
street yet settles down on the highway. If you need a street rod
built for the road, this is a fantastic choice.This Ute doesn't
handle like any pickup you've driven, however, because the entire
suspension was transplanted from a C4 Corvette, including the
transverse leaf springs, rack-and-pinion steering, and giant
4-wheel disc brakes. Handling is crisp but ride quality is
surprisingly supple, suggesting a lot of tuning was involved to get
the balance exactly right. Ford's 4-speed automatic transmission
offers a deep overdrive for easy highway cruising, and it's linked
to the Corvette's Dana 44 rear end with what feel like 3.42 gears
inside, so it's nimble and quick off the line. The original frame
has been heavily reinforced and is now as rigid as a railroad
bridge, and the custom exhaust system tucks up inside the frame for
excellent ground clearance despite the lowered stance. Clever
details include charging posts and a shut-off switch for the hidden
battery, the quad outlet exhaust with glasspack-style mufflers, and
even a functioning emergency brake. Nice! Custom Centerline billet
aluminum wheels give it an awesome stance and are wrapped in
staggered 205/40/17 front and 255/35/18 rear performance radials.As
we've discovered, everyone loves the Ute. We've had other
Australian Utes before, but nothing that approaches this car's
level of detail and execution. A no-compromises build that cost
several times the asking price, it's a great opportunity to own a
totally unique rod that stands out without being extreme. It's fast
yet comfortable, sporty yet practical, and everybody has questions
when they see it on the road. If you like that combination, you're
going to love this Ute. Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends
and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in
our inventory prior to purchase.
