1934 Ford Coupe Ute

Project of a lifetime!

The car I have desired since I was preschool age is 1934 Ford coupe ute. This uniquely Australian body style appeard for the first time in 1934, and as a young child, once I learned that this was in fact the first “ute” (short for utility vehicle) I just had to have one! For many years the project seemed to be an impossible dream, but on 3rd June 2003 (co-incidently the 100th anniversary of the Ford Motor Company) I was able to aquire this derelect 1934 Ford roadster ute. This has been the basis and reference for building our all steel replica of a coupe ute.

Roadster ute on trailer as it arrived home. 3rd June 2003

Making the frame

I took the unusual step of forming a frame as a box section made from two C sections butted together. The frame is made from 3mm or 1/8th steel plate.
I pressed long channels and then cut and welded to form the shape of the frame. All of the dimensions were sourced from the original frame in the Roadster ute.
The side rails on tresles. This is where it started to look like I was heading in the right direction.
Inner reinforcements were added for strength where the crossmembers attached, and the shock absorbers mount. At the front of the frame the reinforcement runs back to behind the steering box mounting point and under the cowl.
Rear crossmember installed. This one originally came from a 1935 Ford sedan. Notice the inner section of the frame now sitting in place. I made the decision to put the big holes along the inside rails to match the design used later in the 1930s by Ford. The holes also allow access for the running board bolts.
I am trying to incorporate the evolution of the transfer spring suspension into my car. Here we have a custom front crossmember which utilises the spring forward of the axle design.
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