Cranberry Red 1948 Ford F1 is Pure Americana
Straight out of an idyllic farm scene, this truck would look great in anyone’s garage.
Few things are as emblematic of the American way of life quite like a classic pickup truck. They symbolize freedom, independence, and a hard-working, can-do attitude. Maybe that’s why they’re so popular with collectors.
This restored 1948 Ford F1 pickup is heading to auction in early October at the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Flea Market, Corral, & Auction, which runs Oct. 2-6. Hosted at the famous Carlisle, Pennsylvania, fairgrounds, it’s sure to attract car and truck enthusiasts of all stripes from around the country.
Attending any car event at Carlisle is a lot of fun, and if you haven’t done it before, you really should. If our dreams came true, we’d be going to bid on this classic piece of Americana.
Treated to a frame-off restoration, this 1948 Ford F1 is probably nicer than it was when it left the factory all those years ago. No detail was left untouched – every system and component was overhauled.
New parts include bumpers, interior, and window glass. Even the bed itself was replaced. Door handles, window cranks, and regulators are all new as well. Underneath, the steering components, brakes, and wheels are all new. Naturally, those wheels are wrapped with a fresh set of tires – white letters out.
The deep cranberry red paint shines beautifully, and there’s just enough chrome to set it off. Additionally, the wheels and some parts of the grille appear to be painted a nice gunmetal color, which sets off the whole package well in our opinion.
With all of the new parts, we have to imagine that driving this truck must be a trip back in time. It’s the closest any of us will get to driving a brand new 1948 Ford F1. We hope the new owner puts a ton of miles on the beautiful pickup.
Powered by a 239 cubic inch flathead V8, this truck will offer a unique driving experience, far different from more modern powerplants. If you’ve never driven something with flathead power, you’re really missing out.
In this particular configuration, the flathead produced 100 horsepower and 180 lb/ft of torque. Those were respectable numbers for its day, and for a time, the flathead engine was popular with hot rodders. When overhead valve V8s became the norm, the flathead fell out of favor. Still, driving one is a unique experience that can’t be missed.
Photos: Carlisle Auctions
Join the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums now!
