The Ford F-series pickups were launched in 1948, with that first generation being known as the "Bonus-Built" line. They replaced the previous pickups that had been basically carried over from the prewar line of Fords.
Much was made of the new cab, which was roomier, had better visibility, was easier to enter and exit, and generally a better place to spend a work day. So much had been spent developing the new driver's accommodations that it was referred to in ad copy as a "Million-Dollar Cab". Other innovations included telescoping shocks at all four corners (earlier trucks had used cruder lever shocks) and V-8 engines available at every level of truck from the heaviest-duty F-8 all the way down to the ½-ton F-1, like the Fox Red 1949 model in the photo.
Available powerplants for the '49 F-1 dated back to the prewar era, though, being either a 226 cubic inch (3.7L) flathead six making 95 SAE gross horsepower or the classic Ford flathead V-8, which displaced 239 cubes (3.9L) and was rated at 100 horses. Both three- and four-speed manual transmissions were on the menu.
This one was photographed with a Nikon CoolPix P7000 in April of 2015.
When I saw "fox red" I read "red fox" and immediately vibed on the 1952 F-1 used on Sanford and Son.
ReplyDeleteI chuckled when I saw that was the actual name for the color.
DeleteSo many of those vintage Ford trucks have been rodded that it's nice to see one that at least looks stock.
ReplyDeleteThis one is still doing work. I have pictures of it pre-restoration, too.
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