Thread: Tray tops

It seems like Table Tops were available in Australia right from the introduction of the Series 2. My apologies if this has been posted before.
.W.

Not sure about right from Series 2 - but cab/chassis was available from the start of Series 1 107 production, although I don't think Rover made trays - usually made by a local body builder. Most Series 1s in Australia with trays, however, had them fitted after the rather flimsy lwb tub fell to pieces.

By the time Series 2 was introduced in 1958, the tray was becoming more popular, although I don't think Rover Australia was making the trays themselves until into the mid sixties. My 1961 2a, which I bought in 1965 in Alice had a tray from new made in Adelaide by a third party, but by 1965 about 90% of four wheel drive utes sold in Australia were fitted with trays rather than tubs, be they Landrovers, Landcruisers or Patrols (or any of a few other types). Short wheelbase cab/utes, whether tray or tub, have never been at all common in Australia, almost always being either soft tops or hardtops.

I have a theory that this was at least partly the result of retail suppliers of all sorts were starting to use fork lifts to load purchases.

John