Learn the Impressive Story Behind the F-150
The Ford F-150 is an iconic pickup truck that made its debut back in 1975. Since its first appearance over 40 years ago, this truck and its heavy-duty brothers have sat at the top of the sales charts. The F-150 is part of the sixth generation of Ford trucks, and this is the generation that changed everything. Here is the impressive story behind the F-150.
The First Generation
The first generation of Ford trucks were known as Ford Bonus-Built trucks, and they arrived in 1948 right after World War II. The trucks had manual transmissions, separate windshield wipers for the driver's side and the passenger's side — which was very innovative at the time — and a foot-plunger windshield washer. The Sixth Generation
The sixth generation of Ford trucks started in 1973 and lasted until 1979. Ford introduced the F-150 in 1975 as part of this generation in order to fill the gap between the F-100 and the F-250. The manufacturer created a truck that was a heavier-duty model than the F-100 but not as powerful as the F-250. The year it debuted, the F-150 made up of over one-third of the F-Series sales.
The First F-150 Features
The 1975 Ford F-150 came only with two-wheel drive, but you could choose between a regular cab and a SuperCab body style. Ford offered a choice of engines including the 300 cubic-inch six-cylinder, the 390 cubic-inch V-8, or the 460 cubic-inch V-8. Since this was a more heavy-duty truck than the F-100, it had stronger front and rear axles and heavier springs. All the F-150's also had power brakes, but Ford didn't fit them with a catalytic converter like the F-100.
The 10th Generation
The 10th generation of Ford trucks is important because it was the generation that split the F-150 from the F-250 and the F-350. The F-150 became a personal use truck, and Ford classified the other two models as work trucks. The 1993 model hit showroom floors with a new aerodynamic design, making it more streamlined. This version of the truck had a smoother ride and better fuel economy, and a V-6 engine replaced the 4.9-liter for more power.
The 2018 F-150
For its 40th birthday, Ford gave the F-150 another significant update. The 2018 model has a new 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V-6 engine which works with a 10-speed automatic transmission and produces 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. All the gas engines also received upgrades for the new year that include a new twin-injection system.
Ford even redesigned the front end of the 2018 F-150 and gave the rear end a new look. Interior upgrades for this model include the latest SYNC 3 infotainment system and updated connectivity features.
The Ford F-150, along with its counterparts, is one of the best-selling picks on the market. The company first created it to fill the need for a more powerful truck for the average driver, and now it's in a class all of its own.
Image via Kolin Toney | Licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0
