The Ford F-100
Before diving into the history and specifications of the F-100, let’s take a look at the account of the Ford F-Series as a whole. The F-100, released in 1953, is the second generation of the F-Series.
Manufactured and marketed by Ford since 1948, the F-Series is a group of medium-sized trucks whose maximum load is light and not considered “heavy duty”. The majority of models for the F-Series range from full-sized pickup trucks to chassis cab trucks to commercial vehicles. It is worth mentioning that, since 1986, the Ford F-Series has been the best-selling automobile in Canada and the U.S. It has been the best-selling pickup truck since 1977.
The Launch of the F-100
In 1953, the Ford Motor Company celebrated its 50th anniversary. To help with the celebration, the company launched a new truck, the Ford F-100. Though the styling was contemporary (for the time) and clean, the truck was tough, rugged, useful, and attractive. For these reasons, it is understandable why it has a virtual cult-like following among collectors.
The F-100 had a cab that was well-designed. The driving position was comfortable and the controls were located in positions that were ideal. But the F-100s of the time were not powerful vehicles. They only had 101 horsepower. The flathead V-8 pushed the horsepower to 110. Both engines were carryovers from the previous years.
Also, a modification to the name of F-Series trucks was underway. The half-ton Ford F-1 became the F-100, a name that has remained in place to this day. The name convention was partially influenced by the North American F-100 Super Saber, a supersonic jet fighter utilized by the United States Air Force.
In 1954, a new overhead-valve V-8 replaced the old flathead increasing the horsepower to 130. Succeeding versions of the V-8 were able to generate up to 176-horsepower. Many car enthusiasts preferred the Ford trucks of 1953 to 1956 because ones in 1957 rode lower and were more like cars.
Advantages of the F-100
- It handled very well for a truck manufactured in the 1950s.
- After 1953, the trucks were equipped with more powerful engines.
- The F-100 was an attractive vehicle that actually looked like a truck and not a truck/car mashup.
The Disadvantages of the F-100
- Typically, it wasn’t as fast as other trucks of the time.
- It didn’t ride as smoothly as other trucks. Drivers were in for a bumpy ride.
- As prices rose, it was difficult to find a bargain.
The Next Generation of the F-100
The third generation of trucks introduced in 1957 brandished a substantial redesign and more modern look. The fenders in the front were integrated into the body. F-Series models, where the cab was over the engine, were discontinued to be replaced by the C-Series, another cab-over engine design that, at the time, was used for fire and delivery trucks.
Ford began its first production of four-wheel-drive pickups two years later in 1959.
The Ford F-Series is still widely produced to this day. Variations of the truck have been manufactured throughout its production to attract a wide scale of buyers.
