[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-Jan-02 AT 09:04 PM (EST)]I have a 1959 F-100 with factory 4 wheel drive. Have owned this BEAST since 1986 (2nd owner) I would like to know does anyone know where I can find actual production numbers that show how many of these trucks the made. I can't imagine that there were to many but authentic numbers would be great.

 

Hi,
Though 1959 was the first year of Ford "factory installed" 4 wheel drive, none of the books seem to break the 1959 production numbers down as to how many '59's were 4x4's. They all seem to start breaking it down by 4x4 starting with the 1960 model year.
I had heard a rumor somewhere that the Ford records showing how many '59 4x4's produced were destroyed in a fire, but I could never verify if it was true.
There must be some good reason it's not shown in any of the books.

 

I am aware that it was Fords 1st year for in-house conversion and that they only did so on the F-100 & F-250 series platform any thing larger still was subbed out - I am hoping that someone out there has some kind of idea of what the break downs were for the year - even a breakdown in production numbers from years that are close could give some kind of indication of quantity - I have called Ford directly and they confirmed that a fire did destroy records pre-1961.

 

Howefiretr,
Thanks for the confirmation on the fire.
I have 2 books that both show 4x4 production #'s for 1960.

First book "Ford Pickups 1957-67" by Paul G. McLaughlin shows...

1960 F-100 4X4 pickup total 5,298
1960 F-250 4X4 pickup total 2,634

Second book "Standard Catalog Of American Light Duty Trucks" shows...

1960 F-100 4x4 Flareside pickup 964
1960 F-100 4x4 Styleside pickup 4,334

1960 F-250 4x4 Flareside pickup 828
1960 F-250 4x4 Styleside pickup 1,806

The numbers seem to add up from one book to the other.
I'm sorry that I couldn't help you on the 1959 numbers. I have a '59 also, and would really be interested in knowing how many too! No way of knowing for sure I guess, but I'd be willing to bet the numbers were a lot lower than for the 1960 model year.
Anyway, I hope the 1960 info helps you some.

 

Those numbers for the 1960 are awesome - strange though - in the past when I have talked to varies 'old timers' they had told me that ford dicouraged conversions of the F-100 truck because they might not be strong enough - but by the 1960 numbers there were alot more F-100 converted?!?!?!?!
Somewhere along the way I had heard that there were about 950 made in 1959 with only about 125 F-100's made - but this is only hear say.
I have a few pictures put up on my gallery if you are like me and still need to see that you are not the only one with a beast!

 

kenny more info
I tripped over a sight called mercurytruck.com they show a total prodction count for 1959 of 12726 & 1960 of 13652. I assume this is for total production do your books confirm the number for 1960?
I have e-mailed the site to ask if they had more specific numbers i will forward any info when I here more.

 

Thanks for the info! Here's is the breakdown my book shows for 1960 production numbers:

F-100
Chassis & Cowl.............121
Chassis & Windshield........24
Chassis & Cab...........17,159
Platform & Rack............245
Flareside Pickup........27,383
Styleside Pickup.......113,875
Standard Panel...........8,543
Custom Panel...............947
4x4 Cab....................442
4x4 Flareside Pickup.......964
4x4 Styleside Pickup.....4,334


F-250
Chassis & Cowl.............125
Chassis & Windshield........21
Chassis & Cab............4,811
Platform & Rack..........1,017
Flareside Pickup.........6,356
Styleside Pickup........15,518
4x4 Cab....................411
4x4 Platform & Rack.........98
4x4 Flareside Pickup.......828
4x4 Styleside Pickup.....1,806

I hope these numbers help you. I saw your truck in your gallery. That is one beautiful '59 you have!

 

 

 

Hi Mr. Wayne,

This is an old old thread, 2002. Since then the 48-60 forum split into the 48-56 and the 57 to 60. So you really ought to ask your question in the 57-60 forum.

But you are welcome to visit our forum anytime. And before you go I and others would love to see pics of your 4x4 flatbed!

 

1959 F350 production figures:

Open Drive-Away Chassis & Windshield: 150 / Open Drive-Away Chassis & Cowl: 749 / Platform & Rack (Stake Bed): 1,093 / Flareside Pickup: 4,827 / Cab & Chassis: 12,896 / Styleside Pickup: 16,491

> > Please ask further question in the 1957/60 F100 and larger F series truck forum. As Abe said, this forum split off from the 1948/56 forum several years ago. < <