Ford Pick Up History

History of The Ford Pickup

By: Rylee Habel
Freshman Technology Research Paper
9.6.16

From the first-generation 1903 Model T (Tin Lizzy) pickup to the 2017 F-350 Trophy Platinum, the Ford F-series has been the best selling truck in the U.S. for 38 consecutive years! There are over 10 generations and over 50 different models of the Ford pickup. The Ford Motor Company was founded on June 16th, 1903.

Contrary to popular belief, the Model T was the first Ford pickup (not the Model A) , which came out in 1903. It was sold for a whopping $281, the price of approximately 106 cars in today’s generation (according to blueovaltrucks.com)! More than 15 million Model T Fords were made and sold in the early 19th century. In 1927, the
It was a four-wheel drive F-250 which came in a variety of sizes and weight capacities. The pickups each year gradually come build better and restyled. The 1952 Ford was very restyled with new hoods, cabs, dashboard, and also received a new rear window for better view to improve safety. These first-generation models lasted for three years, until a new line of Fords were put on the market in 1953.
Ford celebrated its “Golden Anniversary” in 1953 by producing a new line of Ford pickups. These totally redesigned trucks were now referred to as the “ Economy truck line” and for the first time in history, it was an automatic transmission. This impacted the Ford sales greatly, since no other pickup had an automatic tranny. Over the next two decades, body style changed and the vehicle parts evolved to fit with the competition.
From 1973 to 1979, the Ford Highboy, Bronco, Ranger XLT, F-150, and F-250 were all remade from the past years. Even the exclusive (and expensive!), Crew-cab Ford was original from this 6th generation line of pickups. The distinct parts about this generation was the tall suspension, circular headlights, and logo “ F O R D” printed into the front. These Ford pickups made a sound rumble like no other! They may not be the most fuel efficient at 8-12 miles to the gallon, but they sure were fast in the races and drag races they were known for
The engine has over 215 horsepower at 3000 rpm and over 450 pounds of torque. It was a reliable, and astonishing to drive to its customers (info from powerstrokehub.com). Unfortunately, the 7.3 diesel engine was discontinued in 2004 due to the uprising of new and more powerful Powerstroke engines. Some new manufacturing engines were the 6.0, 5.7, 5.9, 6,4, and 6.7 PSD. These engines all had unique uses with different advantages and some problems. So far, the 12th generation of Ford pickups are still running, and Powerstroke engines are still being manufactured. Today, Fords are all over the road, big and small, gas and deisel, of every generations from the past 5 or so generations. Seeing these old Ford pickups on the road proves that no matter the amount of hatred towards Ford from some people, they are very reliable. Not only that, but they come in a very wide variety to fit the customer’s needs and/or wants. Thanks to just a spark of creativity and “outside of the box” thinking, Henry Ford made all this possible since 1903 and for the years to