The first-generation Ford F-Series pickup trucks are really growing in popularity according to Hagerty’s latest monthly market ratings. We have a deep affinity for the F-Series as well and even have “Frankie”, a 1949 F1 company truck, to show for it.
We specialize in restoring classic trucks and have quite a few pages of pictures of classic Ford trucks, Chevy trucks and Dodge trucks that we have worked on here at Wilson Auto.
Of all the truck makers, Ford has remained in the number one spot across America with the success of the Ford F-Series. The first post-war pickup truck from Ford was unveiled to the world in January 1948. The half-ton version was labelled the F1, the ¾ ton truck was the F2, the F3 was the 1-ton version and so on and so on. The industrial F-8 was the biggest one they made.
The first four years of production (1948-1952), the F-series was rolled out under the model “Ford Bonus-Built”. The “Bonus Built” referred to the heavy investment that Ford made (reportedly more than $1 dollars) when developing this new truck. The wider, taller “Million Dollar Cab” offered a “living-room” feel, and its improved seat delivered “easy chair comfort.”
When first released you could get the F-Series truck fitted with a straight-six motor or the iconic Flathead V8. Both major competitors, Chevy and Dodge, only offered a straight-six, leaving Ford to rule the V8 market until 1954.
Interestingly enough, the F-series did not have factory-installed four-wheel drive until the F-100 was equipped with it as an option in 1959. Prior to that, you needed to seek out a third party to convert your truck to four-wheel drive.
The F-Series took the title of America’s best-selling vehicle in 1981 and has never looked back. 37 years is a long time to be on top! This might put things in a better perspective… Raiders of the Lost Ark was the big movie in the theatres that year and Dallas was the number one show on TV. Those shows have long since come and gone, but the F-Series is still the best-selling vehicle in America.
It hasn’t been all roses however for the F-Series. In 1961, Ford decided to try and make the F-Series one solid unibody assembly to increase production efficiency and reduce costs. The cab and the bed were now one piece. Unfortunately, if you heavily loaded the bed down, it could twist the entire body. The results were doors that would pop open or even jam shut. The unibody construction only lasted a short while and by 1963, the unibody assembly was discarded.
They also attempted to lighten the truck in 1981 by drilling holes in the frame. This ended up being an utter disaster, but somehow Ford managed to save the nameplate’s reputation. We think it was the American consumer’s high opinion of the truck that kept the F-Series alive through tough times.
One thing that did not change for years was the front bumper. In fact, from 1959 to 1979, the front bumper was exactly the same on every F-series truck. This made the bumper the longest running component ever used on the F-series trucks.
We are proud to own that 1949 F1. It is a reminder of a simpler time when America was getting back to work and a normal post-war life. It has also been great to watch the F-Series evolve over the decades. They are simply built Ford tough, built to last and that’s just what it has done.
Enjoy some more pics of “Frankie”, our 49 Ford…
