Coupé utility

[4][5] In Australia, where the traditional style of coupé utility remained popular until it ceased production in 2017, it is commonly called a "ute", although the term is also used there to describe traditional-style pickups.

Commencing in October 1933, with assistance from draftsman A. Scott,[7] Bandt used the passenger compartment and roof from the Ford V8 five-window coupe and extended the rear section using a single fixed side panel on each side, with a hinged tailgate at the rear to create the load carrying compartment.

Other manufacturers were quick to follow, with coupe utilities based on various passenger and light truck chassis.

[13] The market success of the first generation led General Motors to develop its own design for 1959, the Chevrolet El Camino.

Following the success of the Ford Ranchero, the El Camino was introduced for 1959, deriving its body from the two-door Brookwood station wagon (though fitted with Bel Air trim); after 1960, the model line was withdrawn in favor of the van-based Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier pickup.

Though sharing its bodywork and chassis underpinnings with Chevrolet car lines, the El Camino was classified and titled in North America as a light truck.

Other North American coupé utilities Since the 1970s, utes have been built in Brazil under European car-maker badges, usually based on hatchbacks.

Some re-badged versions of South American utes are sold in South Africa (where the term "bakkie" instead of "ute" is popular) under different names, such as the Chevrolet Montana and the Ford Courier, sold there as Opel Corsa Utility (later as Chevrolet Utility)[25] and Ford Bantam respectively.

[29][30][31][32] In many cases, if a coupe utility was not available as part of the regular model range an aftermarket coachbuilder would build one to customer order.