Vehicle Description
1948 Ford F1 Pickup
The first-generation of F Series pickup trucks Ford produced were
introduced in late 1947 for the 1948 model year. Also known as
bonus-built trucks, they were the first trucks built on a dedicated
truck platform. Up to this point, Ford used a car chassis and
merely put a different body on for a truck. This year also marked
the ceasing of the post war production Ford had participated in for
the war effort, and interestingly the truck design debuted before
the car. This was planned to help with not only recognizing a new
truck, but to honor veterans as well.
This 1948 F1 example is a daily driver and shows the years of its
service in the patina that comes with it. It has just 37,000
original miles on it and shows that on the title. Not perfect,
however a very attractive, user friendly truck that is now 70 years
young. The consigner says it is a great truck that he and his wife
would enjoy going to the drive-in movies in. That was all the
further this writer dared go, but I will err on the side of
innocence!
Exterior
A repaint of deep Forrest green is on the outside and is contrasted
by the horizontal chrome grille, with cream surround. Black running
boards connect the front and rear massive fenders, that give the
truck the appearance of a wider stance, as well as add aerodynamic
efficiency. A rubber bed liner covers a metal bed, and recently
installed "stake sides" made from varnished oak sit atop the bed
sides. This allows more hay to be loaded into the bed. The tailgate
is in good working condition and has the stamped Ford logo in the
exterior center. Some paint cracking, and rusting under paint is
seen throughout the exterior, mainly the fenders. A look underneath
shows that is indeed surface rust, that may not have been
meticulously attended too during the last repaint.
Interior
Utilitarian meets Art Deco with a sparsely appointed interior cabin
area. The interior including the headliner is all new. A full bench
seat, covered in dark camel vinyl, stretches the width of the
cabin. Ribbed rubber flooring, a long stick shift, an MW heating
unit, and 1940's era round brake and clutch pedals finish out the
cabin floor. The green metal dash and door panels show all working
mechanicals, as well as an Art Deco gauge cluster behind the
steering wheel. A vintage Motorola AM radio is in the center of the
dash as well as an ashtray, and glove compartment in front of the
passenger. Headliner is also green metal and is in good
condition.
Drivetrain
A 226CI flathead 6-cylinder engine with oil bath air cleaner, and
single carburetor make up the engine compartment. The standard
3-speed manual transmission drives a fixed rear with leaf spring
suspension. 11-inch drum brakes are seen all around.
Even the sound of this truck idling and running and going through
the gears will take you back to the 1940's. If you were not here at
that time, you will recognize it as not anything newly made. A good
working condition used truck, in mostly original condition, with a
few blemishes here and there can be used as a daily driver. A
working piece of history, that can be used another 70 years!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 100 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. A 450 barn find
collection is currently on display.
This vehicle is in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania,
conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76
Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and
our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for
more information or to come see the vehicle in person.