Have you ever looked at a prototype or a manufacturer’s styling exercise and dreamt that it would become a production model? That is how I feel about this one-off Ford Mustang Ute. It has remained a well-kept secret for years, but Ford recently released photos and limited details. If it is all that it seems, it would have perfectly combined comfort, practicality, and mind-blowing performance. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Nevadahalfrack for sharing the passion of many to see this type of vehicle revived.
Virtually every country with a vehicle manufacturing industry has contributed to automotive history. Whether it is technology or a particular genre, these developments have sometimes changed the landscape. Australia’s most significant contribution arrived in July 1934, when Ford Australia released the Coupe Utility. Colloquially known as the Ute, the design brief, specified by a farmer’s wife in a 1932 letter to Ford Australia, was “a vehicle to go to church in on a Sunday and which can carry our pigs to market on Mondays.” The Ute found a place in the global market, with North American buyers receiving the Ford Ranchero and the Chevrolet El Camino. Ford produced the last Ranchero in 1979, and there’s no solid evidence that they will revive the badge. However, it occasionally teases us with concepts like this Mustang Ute. Conceived at Ford’s Experimental Vehicles Building Metal Shop, it gave apprentices a hands-on experience producing a concept car. While some concepts end up in the crusher, the Mustang is part of Ford’s US Heritage Fleet of 150 historically significant vehicles.
The Ute is based on a Sixth Generation Mustang body. The team cut away most of the bodywork behind the front seats at the window line, and fabricated a new tailgate using steel from the original taillight panel. Interestingly, this creation has a bit of Down Under heritage, with the bed evolving from the one designed specifically for the Australian Ranger Pickup. With the fabrication complete, the paint shop added a layer of Competition Orange to create what you might describe as a “shock and awe” look. There are no interior or engine bay images, but you would expect occupants to have every creature comfort under the sun. Another mystery is what hides under the hood, though the multiple exhaust tips suggest a V8. That raises a tantalizing prospect. Removing so much steel from this classic would have reduced curb weight, even with the bed installed. If the engine bay houses a 5.0-liter “Coyote” V8, that would put approximately 435hp and 400 ft/lbs of torque beneath the driver’s right foot. If so, this would be a mighty fast beast!
I looked longingly at the Ford Mustang Ute, and I wish Ford would put something similar into production. My feelings are purely personal, and the image above shows why. I bought this Australian 1996 Ford XG Falcon Ute in 2011, earmarking it as a workhorse to tow my race car. When I hung up my helmet, I sold the racer, the specialized tools, and all of my safety equipment. However, the Falcon remained. It had served faithfully and never left me stranded. I eventually decided it deserved a life with the next generation of enthusiasts, so I sold it last year. I shed a tear as it left my driveway because I’d never owned a car that long. It was comfortable and versatile, and I’d consider a Mustang Ute if Ford made one. Would you?
Nice write up and perspective Adam. I think with how truck and SUV crazy folks are these days, Ford just might be able to pull this off successfully. I like your Falcon UTE too, I can definitely understand why you held onto it as long as you did.
Whats next?
Next you will be telling us there’s going to be A four door Mustang? 😂🎃😛😏 (Couldn’t resist the sarcasm with Fords past announcement)
I want the El-Camino and Ranchero back with full frames to tow barn finds projects home!
Wouldn’t you know it… according to AI, Ford is considering a Mustang-based sedan, possibly launching around 2028, and even an off-road version. If such rumors are true, I await that day with much trepidation and fear. And when it comes out, I shall speak but one word on the subject: “WHY!”
Understand why you shed a tear as your Ute drove away, Adam. Nice ride, and dang! that’s some serious roo guard right there! Heard you’ve got them even in some suburban areas like we do wild horses and free roaming cattle out our way-a little steel insurance up front helps get you home.
Thats funny. Out by me its mainly deer and the ocasional black bear. When we went to VT. It was moose crossing signs all over the place.
Thanks so much for the lead and the comment, Nevadahalftrack. The bar was necessary after I hit some wildlife on my way home from a race meeting one night. It turned the front bumper into a jigsaw puzzle, and since I couldn’t find a replacement, I bought what I called the “hopper stopper.” I never had that problem again!
I say,”please don’t build it”. Mustangs and Camaros should not be SUVs or 4 doors etc…. They’re Pony cars and should stay that way. Never liked the Charger either.
Build it and give it another name.
Then it is not a Mustang, just a Ford ute.
A reimagination of the Mustero, from the 1960’s.
Part Mustang part Ranchero.
It does look pretty well thought out.
Here’s my vote against desecrating the Mustang name even more than Ford did with their idiotic Mach-EEE.
Amen to that! This is still slightly better than that Mach-E (which should be banished from the streets), but both of these deserve a different name. A four-door electric SUV and a modern Ranchero are not Mustangs, and should be renamed, or passed over altogether.
I’ve always called it the Ford Mocky. Doesn’t change shit, but makes me feel better and amuses whomever I am talking to.
WHY???
Definitely build it – we want the utes back!
@ Adam – ahh your Falcon – everything about it screems “aussie ute” – couldn’t mistake it for anything else!
Thanks for sharing.
MadMax machine Clarkey your Ute 🇦🇺 🪃 🐨 🦘
Thanks so much, Stan. She was quite a beast, but it was incredibly comfortable on long journeys. I really do miss it.
Wondering: how much weight did that bumper add on the front shocks? Love your write up, thanks, good story about your Falcon Ute too.
Adam,
How about more information on your Falcon Ute?
Wish I could see it in person.Not sure where you’re located.
When I went to Ford’s 100th anniversary in Dearborn,they
had 2 of them at the entrance.
My pleasure, angliagt. It featured a 4.0-liter fuel-injected OHC straight-six producing 198hp and 264 ft/lbs of torque. The transmission was a dual-mode four-speed automatic that fed power to a limited-slip rear end. It also featured power steering, four-wheel power disc brakes, heavy-duty springs and shocks, and heavy-duty transmission and steering coolers. Inside, there were cloth-trimmed bucket seats, a console, and a modern USB stereo. I’d hook up the trailer and race car, as you can see in the photo, and she’d cruise effortlessly on the open road at 60mph.
Thankyou Adam & Nevada. I actually saw this concept somewhere else yesterday. As far as an ute, I say no to the Stang version. But Ford should bring back the Torino car & ute version imo. I believe there is a market.
Well I don’t have a Mustang Ute. But I do have a Fox Body Ute. A 1981 Ford Durango. Originally developed to replace the Ranchero. But after building 212, they scrapped the project. (If you have never heard of a Ford Durango, just Google it.) When I got mine I was originally going to install an SVO front end (since it has a little front end sheet metal damage) But was talked out of NON-REVERSABLE modifications because of the rarity of the car. Still working on it. So someday I will send in a few pictures and story.
Purred not down the road, which is how the 81 Ford Durango drove that I had for a few months . It had the 3.3L if I recall the size. It got up to a cruising speed then bogged down . It wasn’t in the greatest of shape. I sold it for about $400 dollar profit around 2018 or so. The tail lights of this orange Mustang above reminded me of the taillights being on the tailgate of the 81 Ford Durango . I really liked the fiberglass bed that they meshed in with the rest of the Fairmont body though. There was no need to worry about that part rusting out.
I was curious, so looked it up. Not a bad idea. Built in conjunction with Ford and National Coach Works.
Not a bad looking UTE.
Build it and they will come.
Intriguing, to say the least. Build it, FoMoCo!
I like these styling exercises and I like mullet cars
Having owned an S-550 Mustang, I know how useless the back seat really is. I said from day one of ownership that it would make sense to revive the Ranchero using the Mustang rear drive architecture. I even had AI create a Vision of what that would look like and it turns out extremely well.
I say build it, but I fear you wouldn’t find one on a lot that wasn’t a full blown loaded up model. Sure a 5.0would be fun, but how about a simple V6 model too? And I still don’t understand why other Americans get caught up in vehicle names having some mythic quality, who cares what it’s called, im tired of everything with a open box on the back having 4 doors. In fact I’m looking at a Dodge Rampage right now but the owner is way over valued it for me.
I have mixed feelings about this.. A great exercise in auto design class, But not too practical.. Yes I would like to see the Ranchero / El Camino style come back. But with todays very short bed pick ups, that are only good for taking the garbage to the dump, I doubt if they would be very well accepted?? I like the “Bull Bar” on your Ute..
Given that the new smaller Ford pick ups (Ranger and Maverick) are four doors, this Ute is extremely appealing to me! Two doors, a single cab and at least as much bed space as a Ranger I would imagine. I would opt for the 5.0 NA V8 and a manual gear box, LSD (rear differential not Timothy Leary) and possibly that orange color. I would order one tomorrow if it ever comes to fruition. Why does this appeal to me? I’m 72 and grew up when Rancheros and El Caminos were cool. Of course the youngins might say it’s “fire” or “sick” and I’d say “good on ya”!
Rear differential AND Timothy Leary, or even better: Ken Kesey!
My son ( 48 ) has a 2014 Shelby GT 500 conv,the last year for a 6-man. trans.662 hp,5.8L.He bought his wife a new Mach -E and i must say they are quick and ride nice.They have paid solar on their house.Me,a 66′ Mustang 289,auto,ps,factory air.Repaint of factory Springtime Yellow.Restored 3 yrs ago.
If ugly had a name!
As an Australian that’s owned lot’s of Holden & Falcon utes , thumbs down on that thing I’m afraid lol
I know that a lot of people will say No don’t build it on the Mustang. However if you look at the history of that XG Falcon you can follow the lineage all the way back to the Falcons of the early 60’s. That straight six can trace its lineage all the way back to the 200cid of 1964. And this is of course where the Mustang started. So in a way running a ute off the Mustang is just history repeating itself.