I was looking at this picture, which is from a '48 Ford ad, when I noticed the unusual rear bumper brackets. Anyone ever seen any like this? Pre-production item that never made it into production? I can't see how they would work, and AFAIK rear bumpers weren't even an option til '51?

Notice also, that one of the city slickers has already caught his leg on the license plate!

 

They don't really look stout enough to hold a bumper Ross.
But what else could they be for?

 

They almost look like the rear fender braces, but why would they be there?

 

Was maybe built on a Friday or Monday and the installer was hung over?
Looks way out of place to me.

 

something related to the assembly line? They just forgot to remove them

 

I think Kevin has something there. Kevin, I also think you need to make it down to Truckstock 2013

 

I wish I could, My Mom is not doing well and at this time I cant make plans past tomorrow

 

Attaching points for wheelie bars....

 

They might have thrown some fender braces on there to mock up a bumper "option", then changed their mind. And I'd say you're the first person to notice that in 65 years, Ross.

Check out how they painted EVERYTHING except the chain cover and the tailight itself.

 

maybe they were installed so while going down the assembly line the truck behind them wouldn't roll into it and scratch the paint?

looks like the front bumper would hit that just fine

 

I agree, they don't look heavy enough for bumper brackets. Maybe they were supposed to have a rubber bump stop on them for when the tailgate is flopped all the way down....who knows?

Bobby

 

Intended or not, this is a rather good idea.

 

I find it equally interesting that the truck has a NM tag. Those brackets do not look as clean as I would expect them to be if this were a factory ad "shoot". Not a very complimentary picture, at all. Perhaps the ad was titled, Fords at work in the field or There should be a Ford in your field.

Was that the entire picture of just a section of it?

 

There's a hole drilled in the lower, vertical bend for attaching "something".

Has anyone seen assembly line pics showing the rear of the trucks?

But again, if it's a marketing picture, they certainly would have caught that assembly line piece before producing the shot.

Let's see the whole picture.

 

Here's a couple from the series. Note that the two trucks have different license plates. I was sure this was a "modern re-enactment" but I found the original ads in a couple of places.