Ford Roadster well-sided utility.
An Australian bodied sidevalve Ute
These great photos were sent over by Jane in Australia showing her unrestored 103E Roadster Utility - thanks for ok'ing me to publish the pics here!
This model, unique to Australia, was built locally using the chassis/scuttle of a 103E shipped from the Dagenham factory in the UK. Some examples have
rear-hinged suicide type doors, whereas this one is conventionally hung to the leading edge of the door. It was known as the 103E Roadster Utility - or 'plumbers mate'.
It wasn't only the 103E that received local Ute bodywork in Australia of course. The A494a Prefect (similar to the UK E493A but featuring a steel painted
dashboard, plastic coated door handles, extended boot, a solid metal roof and bench front seat to name some differences) was available in a locally-built Ute style also, and is a very smart looker. The A494A Anglia received similar treatment and was sold as a coupe utility, a very stylish looking machine and rare today.
Other Australian sidevalves that received the Utility treatment included the '46-'48 A54A Anglia, the A53A Prefect (also available in limited numbers as a panel van),
E03A Prefect, and 7W Ten. Many of these versions had a large percentage of local built parts in them.
This is a great little vehicle, and although I'm primarily an E83W man I would be very happy to find one of these utes one day!
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