The Ford F-Series has been a mainstay of the automotive market for more than a century. Before you check out this tough pickup at your Ford dealer, explore the heritage of the best-selling truck in the U.S.
The Early Roots of the F-Series
Today’s F-Series grew from the Model TT, released in 1917 with a 1-ton payload and a sticker cost of just $600. The TT evolved into a 1925 version of the Model T with a pickup body. During the 30s Ford introduced the Model 50 pickup, which drew inspiration from the sleek, swooping style of the era’s passenger car selection. The brand produced more than 4 million trucks by 1941.
The First Through Third Generation
The F-Series name was first used after World War II. Ford released a lineup of trucks under this model between 1948 and 1952. Options ranged from the F-8 with a cab-over design to the F-1 weighing in at half a ton. In the mid-50s, Ford streamlined the F-Series lineup to include just a few key models. The second generation marks the birth of the F-100, the F-250, and the F-350, while larger models moved to a new division strictly for commercial trucks.
A redesign in 1957 heralded a new generation with a wider stance and a squared-off silhouette, similar to today’s F-Series design. The first trucks with four-wheel drive followed shortly after in 1959.
The Fourth Through Seventh F-Series Generations
New solid-axle suspension introduced in 1961 created a more comfortable, car-like driving experience. The first four-door Crew Cab was available as a 1965 F-250 model. The 1966 Ranger trim landed at the top of the lineup with new features like air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, and carpet.
A new 1967 design brought the F-Series even closer to its modern appearance. The fifth-generation upgrade expanded the width of the cab by 4 inches, added headlamps to the grille, and incorporated a Ford hood logo. The sixth generation maintained a similar look, with the Club Cab arriving in 1974 and the F-150 debuting in 1975. It replaced the F-100 as the entry-level model in the lineup in 1983.
The 50th Anniversary and Beyond
The F-Series received a substantial redesign for its 50th birthday in 1987, along with standard power windows, locks, and steering. The 1991 Nite Edition marked a sophisticated milestone with the sporty look of blacked-out wheels and trim. The F-150 became the nation’s best-selling vehicle in 1995, beating out the VW Beetle. The 10th generation in 1997 drew in even more drivers with a sleeker, more aerodynamic body style.
Today, the F-Series still provides the most trustworthy trucks you can drive. Visit us to test drive any model today.
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