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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  30 Apr 2017 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  33
• Lot Description:
  1951 FORD DELUXE COUPE UTILITY
  Produced at the Ford Plant Geelong. Matching number vehicle. Body no: 1A67568Engine no: OB16568. This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Notes:
  Fords were first built in Australia at Geelong in Victoria in 1925. The Coupe Utility was unique to Australia in that it served as a dual purpose vehicle capable of taking pigs to market on a Monday and the family to Church on a Sunday. Based on the American sedans of the period, the front part of the car was like a luxury saloon, whilst the rear doubled as practical work space. In the USA in 1951 there were ten different body options available to the buyer, whilst in Australia there were only two, the Custom Four-door Sedan, and uniquely the Deluxe Coupe Utility or ‘Ute’ as it is affectionately known. The Ford Deluxe Coupe Utility featured a side-valve V8 engine, three speed column shift with reverse transmission. The fuel tank holds 12.5 gallons and the average fuel consumption is 16 mpg. Maximum speed from the 239.4 cu inch engine was 78 mph. This rare 1951 Ford Deluxe Coupe Utility (built in 1952) came into the current owner’s possession in 1981 and was described to him as a “restorer’s dream”. The vehicle was delivered to him as a trailer load of rusted, twisted, dented pieces, many of which were unrecognisable, even to a man who had worked in the ‘trade’ for over 34 years. The following weekend a second trailer load arrived bearing a dismantled engine and chassis. Whilst everything was complete it was basically a jigsaw of car pieces that had not been labelled or recorded in any way. Work was slow progress as the new owner endeavoured to work out what went where and what was what. Working from a Ford Spare Parts Catalogue an eighteen year restoration was embarked upon after work and at the weekends. We are informed that every exterior panel was either damaged and/or rusted, and seemingly irreparable, but with patience and hard work all were restored. With the exception of the outer tail-gate panel, every exterior panel on this Ute is original. All the chrome plated parts, grille, wheel caps, moulds, badges, headlamp rims and hood ornament are original and re-chromed. All the mechanical components including engine, gearbox, clutch, suspension, rear axle, brakes, fuel system, steering, fan assembly, water pumps etc were restored using if necessary genuine new-old-stock parts sourced primarily from the US. The authentic red colour paint was replicated using the formula from an original Spartan catalogue, whilst the interior is a faithful reproduction of the original leather trim again in its correct colour. As with the Australian cars at the time, as opposed to the US cars which were colour matched to the body, the instrument panel, interior door and windshield moulding have a wood grain effect. This wood grain was painstakingly reproduced, although painted on, instead of the original transfer that would have been applied at the factory in Geelong. The only item not true to the original Ute specifications is the fitted carpet which was an option on the sedan model only. This deviation was only necessary as it was not possible to source the authentic rubber mat for a right hand drive vehicle. The load area utilises black-butt timber creating the closest possible colour and grain finish as to original. The tonneau cover utilised an original tonneau as a pattern to ensure all seams and joins were correct. The 6.00x16 6 ply tyres are the correct size and tread pattern very similar to those fitted at the factory. The owner/restorer was at great pains to ensure that only genuine accessories were fitted, including clock, radio, fog lamps, vanity mirror, windshield wipers, night driving visor and licence plate frames. Non-original features are retractable seat belts, indicator (turn) lamps incorporated in the front park lamps, 8v rather than 6v battery and later model wiper arms and blades. Period after-market accessories added include wheel trim rings and a Smith’s heater. Assembly of the dashboard and wiring installation proved challenging, but with the rebuilt body by Classic Mustangs and Rodshop, and painting by Auto Trade Body Works both of Thomastown, Vic, completed everything was brought together in May 2005 with the Ute finally registered in November 2005, after two decades of blood, sweat and tears. Every effort has been made to present the vehicle as it would have been delivered form the factory, hence the absence of any extra chrome or glossy paint. Unfortunately, little is known of the vehicle’s history prior to its restoration though it is thought most likely that it was sold by a Sydney dealer as a NSW telephone number is hand-written in the back of the owner’s manual. ‘Big Red’, as the Ute is known to one and all who have encountered it, has travelled throughout Victoria and NSW taking part in car rallies and club events, and currently the trophies and awards collected stands at a total of 23. It was featured on the front cover of Unique Cars magazine, 23rd June 2009 issue. A comprehensive list of all work carried out, parts replaced and associated costs accompany the vehicle.
• Estimate:
  A$40,000 - 46,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.