Ute does mean pickup and this is one. The first one in the USA actually, not the only one now. Two more came into the USA after I brought this one in so now there is 3 in the USA. A big Patrolhead I know imported a 79 Ute from Australia and a 77 (I think) from Saudi Arabi. She lives in SoCal and has something like 18 Patrols!
I imported this truck from New Zealand in 04/05. Generally Ute means flat deck since most trucks in Oz come as a cab & chassis. This Ute came from Nissan as a cab & chassis which I was able to determine from the vin plate. They did come with a factory bed but it is super rare. The one the lady imported from Saudi has a factory bed. These were sold in Oz, South America, Thailand, The Middle East and I am sure a few more countries from the late 1960s to 1979. I paid next to nothing for the truck but the import cost me some cash. I bought it sight unseen so was a little disappointed when I found it had some rot but like I said the actual truck cost me next to nothing. It runs decent but I have not done anything with the truck since I imported it, just been sitting.
More pics are here....
http://www.rmp-o.com/gallery/1977PatrolUte