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Bonus Built?

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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 04:30 PM
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Question Bonus Built?

I've had my '50 Ford "fresh barn find" F-3 for a month or so now. I still do not know what "Bonus Built" means, but see it all over when discussing these trucks. What are "Bonus Built" trucks? Everything from 1948-50? Some special upgrades? I'm sure there are a bunch of you that can answer this in no time...

Thanks!
 
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 04:36 PM
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"Bonus Built" was a monicker (sp?) that Ford used to advertise their vehicles. It's king of like "Built Tough" in the recent years' ads.

Any Ford truck from 1948-1952 is a "Bonus Built" truck. They were dubbed "Bonus Built" because they had more features than any other brand truck on the market. There were also other monickers like the 1 Million Dollar cab. It had to do something with Ford spending a million dollars to redesign the cab.

Check out the ads from the era and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Someone else will chime in and provide more info.

Ilya
 
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 05:03 PM
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http://www.48f-1.com/bonus_page.htm
 
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 01:46 PM
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Everything you want to know about Bonus Built:www.bonusbuilt.com
Dave
 
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 09:41 PM
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The million dollar cab refers to the 53 (54 & 55 too), because Ford claims to have spent that on development. They did ergonomic studies and marketing research, which had heretofore only been done on cars.
 
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 11:44 PM
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Here's a page out of a 1948-50 sales brochure I have:

 
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 07:20 PM
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It may be "Bonus Built," but my '48 leg room ain't much I'm cramped to the point of mybe "supercabbing" it for more leg room.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 08:45 PM
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Thanks!!!!!!
 
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 09:18 PM
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Reamer -

The "Bonus Built" cabs were ergonomically perfect for a person 5'-4".

My 56 is perfect for a person 5"-10".

I'm 6'-2". Go figure...
 
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Old Sep 18, 2005 | 08:32 AM
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Smile

I am 5'9" 150lbs and my 1950 Cab is comfy. I drive a Jeep Wrangler also if that says anything.
 
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Old Sep 18, 2005 | 09:00 AM
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Hi Randy Jack
5'4" ....Really? Was that the "average height" of an American man in the late 40's?
I'm no Giant at 6' even, but I'm cramped in the cab.
Good Info.
thanks
Reamer
 
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Old Sep 18, 2005 | 09:02 AM
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I am 6' 2" and 250+lbs, let's just say I'm big boned, and I don't have any trouble with my '49. The steering wheel does seem to grow a little every year, but that discussion was raised last year and this seemed like a common problem with this trucks. I am still doing research on the cause of this phenomenon
 
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Old Sep 19, 2005 | 07:26 AM
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Bobj,
I believe there may be a direct correlation with the "Clothes shrinking in the closet" mystery.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2005 | 08:53 AM
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All these years I've been blaming my wife for "shrinking" my clothes in the wash, now I find that my truck is part of the conspiracy too??? Dang! You just can't hide from it

Bobby
 
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Old Sep 19, 2005 | 09:28 AM
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Do you guys really think there is a conspiracy? Come on, grow up, but if there is maybe it could be a connection with the hair loss too.

Now, I think we're really getting off subject and George is going to yell at us.
 
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