Ford F-Series (second generation)
The second generation of the Ford F-Series is a series of trucks that was produced by Ford from the 1953 to 1956 model years. Marketed as the "Triple Economy" series, the second-generation F-Series again encompassed a comprehensive range of vehicles, ranging from light-duty pickup trucks to heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
1956 Ford F-100 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Also called | Mercury M-Series (Canada) |
| Production | 1952–1956 1957–1962 (Brazil) |
| Model years | 1953–1956 |
| Assembly | Chester, Pennsylvania, USA Chicago, Illinois, USA Dallas, Texas, USA Dearborn, Michigan, USA Edison, New Jersey, USA Hapeville, Georgia, USA Highland Park, Michigan, USA Kansas City, Missouri, USA Long Beach, California, USA Louisville, Kentucky, USA Norfolk, Virginia, USA St. Louis, Missouri, USA St. Paul, Minnesota, USA San Jose, California, USA São Paulo, Brazil (Ford Brazil) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size pickup truck |
| Body style | 2-door pickup 4-door panel truck |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | 3-speed manual
4-speed manual 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 110.0 in (2,794 mm) (F-100) 118.0 in (2,997 mm) (F-250) 130.0 in (3,302 mm) (F-350) |
| Length | 189.1 in (4,803 mm) (F-100) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford F-Series (first generation) (1948–1952) |
| Successor | Ford F-Series (third generation) (1957–1960) |
This generation saw a revision to the F-Series model nomenclature, shifting from a one-digit model number to a three-digit number; F-100 to F-350. This system has remained in use on all Ford F-Series trucks to the present day. Alongside the naming change, this generation marked several firsts for the F-Series, including an adjustable seat (wide enough for three people), power brakes, and the introduction of the Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission as an option. In line with Ford cars, seat belts were introduced as an option for 1956.
The second-generation F-Series was produced by Ford at eleven facilities across the United States; Ford Canada marketed the model line under both the F-Series and the Mercury M-Series nameplates. Ford of Brazil inaugurated local production with the model line, producing it from 1957 to 1962.