Ford F-Series (first generation)
The first generation of the Ford F-Series (also known as the Ford Bonus-Built trucks) is a series of trucks that was produced by Ford Motor Company from the 1948 to the 1952 model years. The introduction of the F-Series marked the divergence of Ford car and truck design, developing a chassis intended specifically for truck use. Alongside pickup trucks, the model line included also panel vans, bare and cowled chassis, and marked the entry of Ford into the medium and heavy-duty truck segment.
| First generation | |
|---|---|
1949 Ford F-3 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Also called | Ford Bonus-Built |
| Production | November 27, 1947 – 1952 |
| Model years | 1948–1952 |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size pickup truck |
| Body style | 2-door pickup 4-door panel truck |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Related | 1948–1952 Mercury M-Series |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 226 cu in (3.7 L) I6 239 cu in (3.9 L) Flathead V8 254 cu in (4.2 L) I6 337 cu in (5.5 L) Flathead V8 215 cu in (3.5 L) I6 279 cu in (4.6 L) Y-block V8 317 cu in (5.2 L) Y-block V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual 4-speed manual 5-speed manual |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | 1942–1947 Ford pickup |
| Successor | Ford F-Series (second generation) (1953–1956) |
From 1947 to 1952, Ford assembled F-Series trucks at sixteen different facilities across North America. In Canada, the model line was also marketed through Lincoln-Mercury as the Mercury M-Series to expand dealership coverage in rural areas. This generation of F-Series pickup trucks is the sole generation to entirely Flathead engines (inline-6 and V8s).