FORMER KING OF UTES

The Toyota Hilux is not just a Kiwi icon — it’s a global force for Toyota in the light- commercial market. But it wasn’t exactly a groundbreaker for the Japanese maker when it was launched in 1968. It was actually a replacement for another Toyota ute.

The Crown is Toyota’s longest- running model passenger- car name ( it’s nearly a decade older than Corolla) and, of course, we all know it as a large family or executive sedan. But in its second and third generations the Crown was also the base for a “coupe utility” ( that’s a plain old “ute” in Kiwi lingo).

The first came in 1962, either as a single or double cab; while it was based on the Crown platform, it picked up the ToyoPet Master name from a previous light commercial line- up. But a car- based double- cab ute? Move over Holden Crewman.

The third- generation Crown was also available as a ute, which also picked up the name of its door range. There was more power and more style — but no more Crown utes from 1971, as the original gave way to a more truck- like successor.

But the Crown’s ability to mix loadcarrying with passenger- car comfort meant Toyota was still keen to emphasise the refinement and quality of its new ute.

That was reflected in the name, with “High Luxury” contracted to “Hilux”.