Just curious a to what options a 5 star extra cab came with as opposed to a standard cab?

I have a '49 F1 and am very curious as to why the passenger door has a lock, but not the driver door (something I've noticed on other trucks too).
What was the theory behind this?


What were some options available for the '49 F1 besides the V8 engine?


Also, is there any way to trace my old truck? I know carfax doesn't help, but is there a company out there like Marti Autoworks that can research it and tell you what options it came with originally or where it was built? I have MArti reports on my father's '70 J code Cobra Torino and my '70 N code Cobra Torino and they are awesome. Wish I could find the history of my '49 F1 now.

 

First, the Five Star cab wasn't offered until '51.

I am not a '51-52 expert, I like to stay with the nicer looking
48-50 (Here I go again) A few of the extras that make a Five Star cab is the stainless trim around the windshield, dual inside sun visors, upholstered door panels with arm rests and deluxe hood trim and, I think, upgraded horns. I know there are other items but I can't remember them. I'm sure the '51-52 expert will be here to post what I have missed.

The reasoning behind having the lock on the passenger side is to encourage occupants to leave the truck on the passenger side, not on the traffic side. If you watch the movies of the '40s you will notice most drivers would slide over to the passenger door to exit the vehicle. The driver's side lock was offered on the Five Star cab.

 

I believe there was a fire at Ford at some point, and that's why it's hard to trace paperwork back that far. I don't think they were all that great at keeping track of paper work anyways.

I have a '48 Ford F-1, and it's got a factory radio, a factory heater, a grille guard (which may or may not be an accessory) and I have the non-syncro 4 speed which was optional on the F-1 (though 60 years later it's possible someone just threw it in there after the 3 spd puked out.). I believe a driver side spotlight was an option, and well as passenger side mirror, sunvisor, and wiper.

 

Thanks, but I still think a lock on the passenger side only is pointless. Different thinking back then I guess, haha.


As for the options available for a '49, does anyone know what were all of the options? I'm curious to know what my truck was ordered with (or added after).

Also, any way to trace the build facility using the VIN number? I know you can do that with later vehicles, but is it possible for my '49 F1?

 

As for the lock on the passenger side, Mr. Ford knowing that in the 50's the streets were narrow and to encourage the drivers to exit the truck from the curb side he only put locks on that side thus being less drivers injured.

 

1 . Resilient faom rubber padding in full - width Coach seat
2.Headlining -backed by 1 1/2 " glass wool insulating pad
3.Sound deadener on door ,floor & rear cab panels
4.Bright finish Air Wing window frames & divider bar
5.Two tone seat upholstery
6.Customized door and body panel trim.
7.Sturdy bright finish hardware escutcheons
8.Two adjustable sun visors
9.Grip-type arm rest on both doors
10. Illuminated cigar lighter
11. Dome light with automatic door switches
12 . Sturdy lock on dispatch box ( glove box)
13. Distinctive hood ornamentation
14. Chrome windshield moulding
15. Door lock on each door
16.Twin , matched -tone trumpet - blast horns
The Magic Air fresh air heater was a $62.34 option in '52

 

CAPTIAN , post the Vin so we can decode your truck .

 

Here's a link to a photo album I created from trucks and parts that I currently own (or owned) to show most of the differences between a 5 Star and a 5 Star Extra Cab trucks.

Photos in modelking2's '51/52 Std cab vs 5 Star Extra' album

 

Bob is right on this one! Also, however, remember a couple things. First, all the 51/52 trucks were "Five Star" cabs. The package designed for additional driver comfort and performance was known as the "Extra" cab in 51/52; the "Deluxe" cab in 53-54; and, the " Custom Cab" in 55-56.

All the options available in the "Five Star Extra Cab" were available individually. The "Extra Cab" option was a package of the most desirable features at a reduced rate from ordering them individually.

The "Extra Cabs" were not designated by different serial numbers. So that won't tell you anything out of the ordinary.

Captain, I have a 51 Five Star Extra Cab. And, through a very long and expensive process, I have purchased and restored all those options except the seat (I'm a little too short on one end for a stock seat).

Ilyas pictures show a lot, but if you are interestyed in a particular item, let me know and I'll be happy to take some pictures for you in newer condition.

I also have a list of "Options;" "Extra Cab" options; and other "Dealer" options available (at least the 51/52 models).

If you would like a copy, send me a PM with your real e-mail address and I'll send you a copy.

Firstriders list 16 (the advertised 16 items) is excellent, but in a couple of the sales brochures and Truck Handbook I have a couple of these are combined into a single option instead of one of the 16. It's a great list:

1 . Resilient faom rubber padding in full - width Coach seat
2.Headlining -backed by 1 1/2 " glass wool insulating pad
3.Sound deadener on door ,floor & rear cab panels
4.Bright finish Air Wing window frames & divider bar
5.Two tone seat upholstery
6.Customized door and body panel trim.
7.Sturdy bright finish hardware escutcheons
8.Two adjustable sun visors
9.Grip-type arm rest on both doors
10. Illuminated cigar lighter
11. Dome light with automatic door switches
12 . Sturdy lock on dispatch box ( glove box)
13. Distinctive hood ornamentation
14. Chrome (stainless steel) windshield moulding
15. Door lock on each door
16.Twin , matched -tone trumpet - blast horns
The Magic Air fresh air heater was a $62.34 option in '52
Add:
Passenger side wiper.
Two tone dash
Right hand tail lamp
Throttle control


Give me an hour or so and I'll see if I can't find what was available on the 49 for you.

 

Julie , try to stick a small magnet to the polished windshield trim .I say it will stick .If it does the trim piece is not stainless .Maybe it is not a high grade of stainless but a mid to lower grade .Please post results .Thanks ,Denny

 

Well, stand me up against the wall and shoot me for speaking in general terms. There's an exception to every rule I guess if you are talking about the rules.

I used the term "stainless steel" generically as we very often do to desribe these parts - not litterally. They are steel, and they are stainless - they're just not chemically the Stainless Steel you happen to be familiar with. Of course the magnet sticks to it. Just like it does to the "Stainless" hood spears and "Stainless" side hood emblems. Kind of like "Solder." Different types, different metals, but still all solder.

So for those folks concerned with emperical semantics: the windshield trim is not true "stainless steel." However, it is also not chrome plated. The trim ring and the hood center and outside spears (not the nose portions) are a ferrous non staining alloy that Ford called "Bright Metal."

The reason I brought it up is because if you have one or want to buy one, they don't rust. And they have to be polished, to restore them - not replated with chrome. And when they are maintained on the truck, they are maintained and will not rust, just like real stainless steel.

But, just like the glove compartment door as opposed to dispatch box cover, and VIN numbers (a term used by Kelly blue book not FORD until later) as opposed to Serial Numbers, I guess we will have to stop being so cavalier with nomenclature while trying to make a general point, and stop calling these parts "Stainless" and start calling the Bright Metal.

It's so important! Jeez!

 

Oh and Just FYI for all you race track metalurgists out there:

There are different types of stainless steels: when nickel is added, for instance, the austenite structure of iron is stabilized. This crystal structure makes such steels non-magnetic and less brittle at low temperatures. For greater hardness and strength, carbon is added. When subjected to adequate heat treatment, these steels are used as razor blades, cutlery, tools, etc.

Significant quantities of manganese have been used in many stainless steel compositions. Manganese preserves an austenitic structure in the steel as does nickel, but at a lower cost.

Stainless steels are also classified by their crystalline structure:

Austenitic, or 300 series, stainless steels comprise over 70% of total stainless steel production. They contain a maximum of 0.15% carbon, a minimum of 16% chromium and sufficient nickel and/or manganese to retain an austenitic structure at all temperatures from the cryogenic region to the melting point of the alloy. A typical composition of 18% chromium and 10% nickel, commonly known as 18/10 stainless, is often used in flatware. Similarly, 18/0 and 18/8 are also available. Superaustenitic stainless steels, such as alloy AL-6XN and 254SMO, exhibit great resistance to chloride pitting and crevice corrosion due to high molybdenum content (>6%) and nitrogen additions, and the higher nickel content ensures better resistance to stress-corrosion cracking versus the 300 series. The higher alloy content of superaustenitic steels makes them more expensive. Other steels can offer similar performance at lower cost and are preferred in certain applications.[citation needed]
The low carbon version of the Austenitic Stainless Steel, for example 316L or 304L, are used to avoid corrosion problem caused by welding. The "L" means that the carbon content of the Stainless Steel is below 0.03%, this will reduce the sensitization effect, precipitation of Chromium Carbides, due to the high temperature produced by welding operation.

Ferritic stainless steels are highly corrosion-resistant, but less durable than austenitic grades. They contain between 10.5% and 27% chromium and very little nickel, if any, but some types can contain lead. Most compositions include molybdenum; some, aluminium or titanium. Common ferritic grades include 18Cr-2Mo, 26Cr-1Mo, 29Cr-4Mo, and 29Cr-4Mo-2Ni.

Martensitic stainless steels are not as corrosion-resistant as the other two classes but are extremely strong and tough, as well as highly machineable, and can be hardened by heat treatment. Martensitic stainless steel contains chromium (12-14%), molybdenum (0.2-1%), nickel (0-<2%), and carbon (about 0.1-1%) (giving it more hardness but making the material a bit more brittle). It is quenched and magnetic.


Long story short: There are 22 SAE designated Ferritic and Martensitic grades of Stainless Steel not alloyed with or have insignificant amounts of nickle....and they are all magnetic!

Wow, just like "Bright Metal!"

 

You had me at "metalurgists"

 

Julie ,thanks for straightening me out with the metal lesson . I learn something from you every time you post .Thanks agian ,Denny

 

okayyyyyy, sorry I opened a can of worms there, haha.

My VIN is 98RCXXXXXX which tells me it's a '49 with the flathead V8 and it's a 1/2 ton, then the sequance number, right? Is there any way to find out where it was built or any other info?