The Ford F-Series that we love and drive today started in 1948 with the aptly named F-1. If you love the Ford F-Series, then you should see how it all began. Enjoy these facts about the ancestors of the legendary truck-line.
1. Post War
Shortly after World War ll, the Ford F-series was born. The F-Series was the very first truck designed by Ford after the war, and was nearly all new. The famous F-1 truck was produced in late 1947, as a 1948 model year vehicle, and became the first of many F-Series trucks.
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2. Chassis
Before the Ford F-Series, all Ford trucks were built on a regular car chassis; the Ford F-Series was the very first truck to get its own dedicated truck platform. The decision to engineer a dedicated truck chassis opened up the door for Ford to make the toughest, strongest trucks on the market, and to this day, it remains the best selling trucks in America.
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3. Ford F-1
The first generation of the Ford F-Series trucks continued on from 1948 to 1952 and represents the real birth of the Ford truck. The 1/2 ton version of this generation featured a six and a half foot bed, a flat, one-piece windshield, and integrated headlights. Popular options that you can get with the F-Series pickup truck included chrome trim around the truck, as well as two horns, and made it more than just a work or farm vehicle.
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4. Engines
From the beginning you could buy your Ford F-1 truck with straight 6 or V8 power. Engine options included the 226 cubic inch flathead straight 6 developing 95-horsepower at 3,300 RPM. Upgrades included the 239 cubic inch flathead V-8 engine from 1948 to 1952, which produced 100-horsepower at 3,800 RPM. Transmissions were 3 or 4 speed manual only.
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5. The Evolution of the F-Series
The first year Ford F-1 featured a taller and wider cab than the pre-war trucks, squared-off front fenders that wrapped nicely into its front and integrated the headlights. A year later, the F-1 saw small changes, including painted wheels to match the body color, and the elimination of the red striped on the chrome grille. In 1950, the three-gear transmission was moved from the floor to the steering column, but the truck didn't receive any visual upgrades. In 1951, the grille was slightly modified, and the headlights were moved to the ends of the grille. The bed of the truck was replaced with hardwood floor, which replaced the less durable metal floors. The model year 1952 saw no changes, except for the VIN plate, as it was moved to the back of the driver's door. The all new trucks for 1953 began the name convention of F-100, F-250, F-350 etc.
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For help with your late model truck, check out the how to section of Ford-Trucks.com
