This week’s Throwback video turns back the clock to 1978, when Ford took interesting approaches to show off how tough the new F Series was back then.
Most importantly, they drop the truck at the beginning of the commercial and while we can’t really tell how far the Ford F Series pickup falls – it looks like it doesn’t drop more than 8 or 10 feet.
You could probably drop a 1929 Ford that far without any real problem shy of maybe the tires blowing, but this is likely what would have been a “wow demo” back in 1978.
After the 1978 Ford truck falls from the sky, the team removes the straps and we get to see it drive away while the voiceover guy talks about the super smooth ride.
It should be noted that it sure seems to be bouncing an awful lot, but back in 1978, that very well may have been the best that you could hope for in a full size truck like the Ford F Series back in the day.
We also get to learn about some new F Series features like the new tilt steering wheel, the new Lariat cab and the integrated CB radio.
The quality of the video isn’t great, but I cant get enough of these old Ford truck commercials. Enjoy!
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
