1951 Ford F-100: Setting the Bar for the Second Half of the 20th Century

Like the rest of America, the Ford Motor Company looked forward to a bright future following the end of World War II. Ford’s first post-war pickup, known as the F1, was launched in 1948, and given several upgrades for the 1951 model year.

1951 Ford F-1 Five Star Cab Pickup (12763891075)
1951 Ford F100 image by Sicnag (1951 Ford F-1 Five Star Cab Pickup) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

’51 Ford F100 Design Changes

Popular features carried forward from the 1948-50 models into 1951 included a higher, wider cab and seats with increased comfort compared to previous war-year trucks. The 1951 model also sported a redesigned grille featuring a single, curved horizontal bar accented by three vertical struts – somewhat reminiscent of the design of fighter jets of the time. This style was found only on the 1951 and 1952 models, making them easy to distinguish from previous or following years.

1951 Ford F100 Options

The 1951 Ford F100 was available in a range of variations, including pickup, panel van, flatbed and stake truck. The ’51 Ford F100 options included a choice of 95-h.p. 226-cubic-inch six-cylinder or 100-h.p. 239 cubic-inch V-8 engines, dual windshield wipers augmented by a novel foot-actuated windshield washer system, and dual sun visors.

!951 F100 Specs

1951 F100 specs included a 114-inch wheelbase and 6.5 foot bed on a half-ton chassis, with a three-speed stick-shift transmission used for both the straight six or V-8 engines. (Technically, this truck was still an F1 model, as the century designation wasn’t officially applied by Ford until the 1953 model year).

References:

  • http://www.classic-car-history.com/1948-1952-ford-pickup.htm
  • https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1951-ford-f~1-1!2_ton
  • http://angelakrauseford.com/history-of-the-ford-f150
  • https://www.hagerty.com/Articles-Videos/Articles/2017/01/03/jessica-ankney

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