When it comes to pickup trucks, one of the most sought-after names is arguably the Ford F-Series truck. First seen in 1948, the F-Series has been the best-selling pickup in America for some 40 years now, as well as the second best-selling vehicle for quite some time now, following the globally popular Toyota Corolla.
Today, Ford trucks celebrate 100 colorful years of hauling Americans and their families and helping them in their work. It all began on July 27, 1917 when Ford introduced the Model TT. This truck had the Model T’s cab and engine, but was fitted with a rear that could carry a ton of equipment or produce.
Going on to sell some 1.3 million examples until it was replaced by the Model AA in 1928, its successor could do more with its 1.5-ton payload and had a bit more panache to boot. It wasn’t just a workhorse, Ford says, but could likewise be used to Church on Sundays. This success was followed up with the Model BB in 1933, then by the Model 50 pickup in 1935 that packed a Flathead V8 motor. All this was halted when the war broke out in the early 1940s.
As the war ended, however, Ford went back to producing its erstwhile pickups. The resumption of production wasn’t just a continuation of its previous offerings. Ford introduced the very first F-Series pickup in 1948—the F-1. And as we all know, this revolutionized the pickup truck for Ford.
Since its introduction, the F-Series trucks have become more powerful, luxurious, and tech-savvy. The F-Series Bonus Built truck, for instance, was a follow-up to the hot-selling truck, which became a favorite of many Americans. The F-100 (now F-150), F-250, and F-350 names followed suit in 1953, staying on until the present day.
Another innovation was the Twin I-beam front suspension, which first saw daylight in 1961. Then came the SuperCab in 1974, followed by the well-loved F-150 a year later. Today, the F-Series trucks that we know are fitted with goodies like Ford’s EcoBoost engines, 10-speed automatic, and Drive Mode selector, among others. And the Ford F-150 Raptor is what every truck aspires to be when it grows up—including Ford’s own Ranger Wildtrak that is considered one of the baddest trucks on our roads today.
Yes, it has been a crazy and colorful ride for Ford trucks. But one thing is for sure: They will always be loved for being Built Ford Tough.
