The Passion for Utes: An Australian Obsession by Joel Wakely (Paperback Book)

Celebrate an iconic staple of Australian automotive culture with The Passion for Utes: An Australian Obsession by veteran author Joel Wakely. Published by Woodslane Press, this fully illustrated history explores Australia’s enduring love affair with the utility vehicle, from its origins and evolution to its legendary place on local roads and paddocks.

Joel Wakely gathers dozens of fascinating stories covering Australian and overseas manufacturers from the early 20th century to the modern era. Trace the journey from the first imported vehicles of the 1920s to Ford’s pioneering Australian ute in the 1930s, Holden’s all-Australian 48-215 (FX) ute of the 1950s, and decades of high-performance V8 development. Contributions from enthusiast owners and hundreds of photographs, many never before seen in print, make this a rich reference and visual feast for Australian motoring enthusiasts.

Key highlights

• Complete timeline of Australian ute history, from early imports to Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore classics.
• Firsthand stories, vehicle histories, and personal accounts from passionate ute owners across Australia.
• Coverage of iconic models, custom builds, classic workhorses, and high-performance muscle utes.
• Hundreds of archival, historic, and vibrant colour photographs.