Ford Trucks: 111 Years Old and Still Tough – Cincinnati, OH

No matter what part of the country you’re in, living in a big city or snuggled up off the grid in no man’s land, you can find Ford trucks for sale as easily as you can buy a loaf of bread. They’re ubiquitous, like cherry pie and bad relatives, and it’s hard to imagine a world without them. Whether your first memory of a Ford truck is your grandpa’s beat-up Ford F-150 or your big brother’s tricked out Ford Ranger, there’s likely been a Ford or three in your life.

Born Out of Need

Although the first Ford truck assembled in a factory by the Ford Motor Company didn’t roll off the line until 1925, clever owners began chopping their Model Ts in 1908, transforming them into trucks, crude but capable.

The Model T was designed just begging for conversion. The body had high road clearance, a well-built 177 cu.in. engine, a solid and short 99-inch wheelbase that easily to navigate on city stets as well as country roads, and durable 30-inch pneumatic tires. The Runabout was particularly popular for truck adaptation as it was a two-seater, so all that was necessary for the change was to cut a hole over the rear of the car and drop 4 ft long bed into it.

From Custom Made to Factory Produced

Ford realized early on that trucks were in high demand. They unveiled a one-ton, 1,450 lb Model TT truck in 1917 with a $600 price tag. The catch was each truck was custom built for customers after they contracted with the makers, who built each truck per buyer specs.

Only 209 Model TTs sold in the first year but when this groundbreaking truck had sold 41,105 units, and there were thousands of modified Ford trucks across the country, they decided in 1925 it was time to start mass-producing trucks at their automobile plant. The first Ford truck made in a factory was outfitted with heavy-duty rear springs, had a bona fide cargo bed, sported a moveable tailgate, and cost $281.

Keepin’ On Truckin’

Henry Ford was not an easily discouraged man; it took him three tries to start a successful car manufacturing plant. When his truck sales started catching attention around the globe, he went back to the schematic drawing board and started toying with possible improvements that could make Ford trucks sell even better.

Catering to the working class, which was most of the country at that time, he envisioned larger beds and other embellishments that would appeal to his target demographic. His hunches were spot on, and by 1928, 1.3 million Model TTs had been sold, a massive amount for that era.

Ford decided it was time for an upgrade that was heavier to accommodate the larger loads being generated by the Second Industrial Revolution. He soon introduced the Model AA, whose 1.5-ton chassis was a boon to sales, but kept the stylish body style. According to Ford historian Bob Kreipke, “Model AA trucks in particular had a certain class to them. Customers could use them on the farm, yet still, take them to church on Sunday.”

The Model AA and Beyond

The Model AA was very close to the Model TT in that it was only available with a chassis cab and had a choice of only two bed lengths. The most significant upgrades were an improved power train and options in axles to cater to different consumer needs. Never resting on his laurels, Ford started selling the Model BB in 1933, and the Model AA was phased out.

The Model BB was popular for particular industries that needed trustworthy vehicles with long lives and sturdy foundations. Stake trucks, mail transportation vehicles, freight movers, and ambulances were the main purchasers of the Model BB line, so Ford turned his focus back to the typical American truck customers.

Two years later, in 1935, the truck world dramatically changed with the introduction of the Model 50 pickup. What made this truck so unique was under the hood, the celebrated Ford Flathead V8 engine.

Ford hit pay dirt with the Model 50 and sales exceeded 4 million units by 1941. Surviving the need to produce military vehicles made consumer truck buying sag but gave Ford the opportunity to build more rugged trucks needed for heavyweight military ops and four-wheel drive vehicles to roam challenging terrains.

When automotive production for the general public resumed in 1947, Ford wisely used the applications integrated into military trucks to give civilian customers more options in truck styles. As the population migrated from rural farms to urban and suburban neighborhoods to seek employment, Ford grasped the opportunity to market a truck line that could meet the needs of everyone, and the F-Series Bonus Built trucks were born.

The F-Series Phenomenon

It’s unlikely that Ford could foresee that his F-Series would be so successful that it would spawn generations. The original generation included Class 2 through 7 features, from the half-ton F-1 through the considerably bigger cab-over F-8 model. In 1953, the second generation introduced larger engines with more power and spawned new truck names. The F-1 was now called the F-100, and F-250 line replaced F-2s and F-3s. Class 8 Ford trucks became exclusively commercial vehicles called CSeries that eventually included  C, H, L, N, T, and W-Series Ford trucks.

Upscaled Packaging

Up until this point, trucks were just trucks, judged solely on performance and durability. No frills, no fancy colors. In fact, the options offered today weren’t even considered. But the 50s were an era of change when flash and style started to dramatically affect everything from home furnishings to hairstyles – and trucks were included in the trend.

Suddenly truck buyers had unheard of options to consider. You could get two-tone paint, multi-function heaters, a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, and radios built right into the previously blank dashboard. By 1953, the F-100 came standard with sun visors for both drivers and passengers, handy dome lights, and comforting armrests. The exterior was upgraded as well, with wider cabs closer to the ground, sleek aerodynamic body styles, and fully integrated front fenders.

Tough and Ready – The Future Generations in the F-Series

The fourth Generation F-Series hit the market in 1961, just in time for a decade that is one of the most memorable in recent history. An incredible 44 years after the country was marveling at the introduction of Ford’s Model TT, the company was ripe for a new revolution and went on a roll. 1965 saw the introduction of the twin I-beam front suspension and marked the beginning of the fifth Generation F-Series.

Two short years later, 1967 celebrated the luxury Ford Ranger’s fashionable offerings. Trucks were on the path to rivaling traditional family cars in comfort, value, and amenities like power steering and power brakes. When the roomy SuperCab option came to light in 1974, Ford tapped the work and family vehicle buyers looking for a change.

Ford discontinued the F-100 in 1975 and replaced it with the F-150 pickup, a move that marked the start of the sixth-generation F-Series. The F-150 was poised to go head-to-head with GM’s new C/K truck lineup. It was a memorable battle but in 1977, the F-Series was declared the victory and the rest is history.

What about the iconic tagline Built Ford Tough? That catchy phrase came from a talented copywriter in the late 70s who wrote for a Ford truck magazine. Bet they wish they’d put some cash down to copyright it. Nevertheless, it’s served Ford well and truck sales remain steady and high.

Kings Ford

With the history to back, Fords are built to last and are made for you. When you are ready to get behind the wheel of a Ford F-150 or Ford Ranger, visit Kings Ford in Cincinnati, Ohio. We also have other new Ford trucks for sale such as the F-350 and even used models. We love the Ford brand, and that is why we stand by it and its history. So join us today, take a truck for a test drive, and see why we love Ford trucks.