Ford F-Series Pickups Celebrate 60th Anniversary
By: Mike Levine, Ford Motor Company Press Release Posted: 09-27-07 00:05 PT
© 2007 PickupTruck.com

Page: [1]

Although it's a bit on the early side, Ford is introducing two special edition F-Series pickups at the 2007 Texas State Fair to celebrate the diamond anniversary of the country's best selling truck and number one selling vehicle.

Ford F-Series pickups were introduced on January 16, 1948. Because they were the first all-new Ford trucks designed and built after World War II interrupted production, they were immediately embraced by a public hungry for advanced design.

By the end of 1948 almost 290,000 F-1 (half-ton), F-2 (three-quarter-ton), and F-3 (one-ton) trucks were sold - more trucks than Ford had produced in any year since 1929. And since that time Ford has sold almost 33-million light and heavy duty full size pickups.

To commemorate the F-Series 60th birthday, 7,500 F-150 and 2,500 Super Duty 2008 model year pickups will receive special badging, trim pieces, and two-tone paint jobs.

Our guess is the party won't stop here.

Ford is expected to introduce the new 2009 F-150 during the North American International Auto Show, January 13-15, 2008. Falling so close to the exact month and day of the 1948 launch, this is shaping up to be one big, long and notable celebration for Ford.

The 2008 model year 60th anniversary trucks go on sale this winter. More information can be found in Ford's press release, below.

Ford Press Release:

Ford Trucks celebrate six decades of setting the standard for capability, innovation and reliability in the full-size truck market with the launch of the 2008 F-150 and Super Duty 60th Anniversary Editions.

"The F-Series is more than just the long-running foundation for Ford," said Mike Crowley, Ford Truck and SUV group marketing manager. "It not only embodies the values of Ford Motor Company, but in many ways embodies the values of America. Built Ford Tough is just another way of saying it’s built for hard-working, independent Americans."

Available this winter, the 60th Anniversary F-150 and Super Duty will each sport a special two-tone paint scheme of Dark Shadow Gray over Ebony or a reverse color scheme with Ebony over Dark Shadow Gray. Each 60th Anniversary F-150 will come appointed with the XLT Chrome package that includes a chrome grille, running bars and exhaust tips. The Super Duty version will share those chrome components and add chrome wheels to its XLT package.

Both the 2008 F-150 and Super Duty Limited Edition models are adorned with a commemorative 60th Anniversary badge that appears in multiple places on the exterior and interior of each truck. The 60th Anniversary badge on the armrest of the large center console carries a laser-engraved plate with the serial number of each of the 7,500 60th Anniversary F-150s and 2,500 Anniversary Super Duties that are part of this limited edition offering. 

The interior of the F-150 and Super Duty will feature a number of new and unique 60th Anniversary appointments including a special gauge cluster appliqué graphic that matches the design of the anniversary badge.

This special-edition F-150 edition is equipped with the FX4 cloth seats in Dark and Medium Flint while the Super Duty comes with a Charcoal/Stone interior with the XLT SportCloth seats.

The 60th Anniversary F-150 is available in 4x4 and 4x2 in SuperCab and SuperCrew with either a short or long cargo box. Engine choices include a 5.4-liter or 4.6-liter V-8 and automatic transmission only. The Super Duty is available in 4x4 and 4x2 in SuperCab and SuperCrew with either a short or long cargo box with an optional Off-Road Package. Engine choices include a 5.4-liter Triton V-8, 6.8-liter Triton V-10 or 6.4-liter Powerstroke Turbodiesel.Tough Truck Heritage

In 1948, Ford introduced the F-1 pickup to a booming post-war America and marked Ford’s first all-new line of post-war civilian vehicles. Advertised as "Built Stronger to Last Longer," the F-Series became a symbol of America’s economic prosperity, going to work on the job site, at the factory and on the farm.

Moving forward, the F-Series' "Excitedly Modern" and "Totally Different" design infused car-like elements into the light truck market. With its smooth body contours, integrated headlamps and innovations like the one-piece windshield, the F-Series launched a phenomenon that would see the scope of light trucks expand from the farm and factory to the American driveway.

While capability is still the key, evidenced by F-150's class-leading trailer tow and payload capabilities, light duty pickup trucks have evolved significantly over just the last 10 years. The F-150 has been leading the pack, offering creature comforts and innovations that were once found exclusively on passenger vehicles.

The F-Series continues today as America’s favorite vehicle approaching 33 million sales since its introduction in 1948. The F-Series topped the truck sales charts for the last 30 consecutive years and boasts the recognition of being America’s best-selling vehicle for 26 of those 30 years.

Page: [1]