[woofa.express]

In past years I’d see many Model A utes which started life as a tourer (or Phaeton as they were marketed in America). This was when folks could afford more modern motorcars and the A’s went to farmers, tradies and young folks - their first motorcar. They removed the rear seat and tub in the case of a Tourer, and built a wooden tray to carry produce or tools. I remember in 1973 a farmer and his 2 sons arrive at their airstrip each driving these modified A’s. They had purchased 10 very cheaply at various farm clearing sales. They figured that A's would become rare and valuable in future years. Occasionally I still see one, mostly restored.
It’s a common practise in Australia, for young ones in particular, to own utes as a form of a two seater sports vehicle. For them it is viewed as a status. For a farmer or grazier, status is, and not always intended, to have a ute with a tray and one or two dogs on back. Top status is, and again not intended or sort are Blue Healer dogs.