The popular C-series was known for its characteristic 'grumpy' face.
Grumpy Job
From the heavier end of Ford's truck lineup, this refurbished 1986 Ford C8000 is ready to work. Built until 1990, many enthusiasts remember the C-series for its characteristic 'grumpy' face. Dubbed 'Ms. Bernier' by its owner, the 'tilt cab' was once outfitted as a firetruck. It now comes equipped with a flatbed, a new engine, and a 'civilian' paint job.
Photos courtesy of BaT.
National Production
Apparently, the real Ms. Bernier was the owner's grade school bus driver. When new, the C-8000 served with the National Park Service at Lake Mead in Nevada and the Duncan Valley Rural Fire District in Arizona. Introduced in 1957, the C-series was the longest-produced commercial truck in America at its time. Only Mack and Kenworth models have remained in production longer.
Tilt Promote
Available in a range of weight capacities, the C-series holds a unique place in Ford truck history. It was the Motor Company's first tilting, cab-over-engine (COE) truck. It replaced the (non-tilting) F-series COE that was introduced in 1948. Ford was eager to promote the tilt cab, stating that it would speed up inspection and servicing, resulting in less downtime.
Inline Extra
The C-series ranged from the C-500, all the way up to the C-900. The extra zero in Ms. Bernier's designation indicates that 'she' was a diesel engine-equipped variation. In 2018, the truck was fitted with a replacement Caterpillar 10.4-liter 3208T turbo-diesel V8. The C-series was offered with Ford's own inline 4 and 6 Cummins C and N motors, but also with a special-order, turbocharged 1160 V-8 Caterpillar.
Tight Roles
The externally-sourced Caterpillar motor became the powerplant of choice for firefighting rigs. The COE configuration was a popular middleweight truck, finding vocational roles in construction, local beverage and freight delivery and reconfigured as garbage trucks and fire trucks. The relatively short wheelbase allowed the C-series to navigate tight situations, fitting into spots where conventional trucks with hoods could not.
Heavier Area
Adding to the convenience of servicing with a tilt cab, the overall COE design offered inherently practical benefits. Placing the driver at the very front of the truck greatly reduced blind spots. With the bulk of the cab situated over the steering axle, a larger cargo area was possible, while affording better weight distribution, which in turn meant heavier payloads on any given wheelbase.
Dual Stacks
This C-8000 is equipped with an Allison four-speed automatic transmission and an Eaton dually rear axle. It rides on 20'' rims with Sumitomo rubber up front and quartet of commercial-grade Goodyear tires in the rear. Drum brakes, both front and back, are air-operated. Other additions include roof-mounted air horns, amber clearance lights, dual spotlights and dual vertical exhaust stacks.
Emergency Time
Despite all the 'civilian' reworking, the C-8000 still has a touch of fire truck left. The extra set of lights on the front are a remnant of its 'emergency' days. In an impressive display, the alternating headlight flasher still works to cycle all the front lights. Time has been kind to this retired firefighter rig, hopefully the same holds true for the actual Ms. Bernier.
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