Does anyone know the History of our beautiful trucks, I was mainly wondering who the designer was. You all have deard of Harley Earl, Duntoff, Iacoka, Shelby ect. What about of designer. If anyone has any History on the trucks them selves I would Appriciate it (I Have a 56, My main Interest)

Just a thought

Kyle

 

The best book I have found is "Ford Trucks since 1905", by James K. Wagner. Was published in 1978 and stops coverage that year. I knew Jim at Ford and he worked for years on the book and had access to Ford Archives for material.
Fred

 

Another excellent reference is "Ford F Series Pickup Trucks 1948-1956" by Don Bunn. It itemizes each of the years including panels and the bigger trucks and has some good history regarding the big change in 1953 and the ideas behind it. Each year model is listed with the changes and options. Not much info on the personalities behind the design, though. Great photos and quotes from the Ford Motor Company newsletter "The Ford Rouge News".

It also has some great pictures of custom (Darkside) Effies, which you don't see much of in these vintage books.

 

Well, whoever the person or persons were that designed the trucks were Geniuses. It's strange to say but I was told that Ford designed or as they put it "stole" the wrap around windshield concept for the 1956 truck from Chevrolets 1955 truck. It does seem to make sense, one of my neighbors has a 55 chevy truck and it also has a rear wrap around window and the top of cab was originally white. I'm only stating what I've heard and seen. At this point I'd like to envoke my 5th Amendment right. LOL....

 

Just putting this back up top, Would really like to know the designers name, I contacted Ford Motor Company, The customer service dept and their relations dept were clueless, I did get a nice letter from them. They told me I would have to contact the Hennry Ford Museum and they could research it for me for a fee. Maybee I will need to do that but until then-Anybody Know?

Kyle

 

I have the 56 ford and a 55 chevy car and that windshield is one of the reasons i like them both maybe ole Harley was moonlighting?

 

I suspect Ford used a team of designers as was/is the common practice. They were (believe it or not!) utilitarian vehicles, little attention was paid to style. Goes to prove the designer's mantra of good design: "form follows function".

 

I just wondered if Harley Earl was moonlighting-Never mind no port holes.

 

This won't help, but what the heck.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_F-Series

 

Thanks, That was pretty cool

 

There is a 'History of the F-100' in the August 2000 issue of Custom Classic Trucks. It is 5 pages on the 53-56 trucks, including production numbers.

 

Thanks I will have to try to track down an Issue.

Kyle

 

I didn't think of it last night but I could scan it to a PDF file and email it to you. I don't think the mag would arrest me for that. Let me know.

 

i guess the geniuses quit before the '57 came out.

 

That would be awsome! If you can do that I would be very thankful.

email to kmcinnes(at)indy(.)rr(.)com
Thanks,
Kyle