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Ford F-250

1948 is a really good year for motoring releases, it’s when you get cars like the 2CV and the Morris Minor and you know what else you get? The launch of the F Series, of which the F-250 is part of.

Now it’s really important for UK and European viewers to understand the cultural significance of this pick up. It’s not just a vehicle used to haul stuff round, but for many, represented and still represents, a hallmark of the American Dream. It was a vehicle which could support every passion, every business and become the backbone of the family.

In the same way every Brit had a Morris Minor or knew somebody who did, ask any American about an F-250 or the more popular F-150 and they’ll have owned one, known somebody who did or had one within a business they worked for.

They are just as American as apple pie, the constitution and Coca-Cola. Which is probably why even now, decades after this was built, there is a strong support network and prices to buy one aren’t low - even for a fixer upper.

Ford wanted to do things differently with the F-Series and played up to their target market and promised the functional design equated to a longer life for the truck, with durability a big going concern for Ford.

They promised buyers in the glossy pick ups brochure, that the sheet metal was built to thrive on day-in, day-out punishment. Music to the ears of the business looking to keep overheads to a minimum and the manual worker who wants a reliable workhorse which won’t need constant fettling or replacement after a short period of time.

This particular example is a fifth generation, by which point Ford have made some serious upgrades to since the late 40s iteration.

By fifth gen there are some really important improvements and developments, mainly arising from the 1965 amends where they change over to Twin I-Bem front suspension - a system which Ford has continued into the 21st century on some of the F series vehicles. For the uninitiated, the Twin I-Beam suspension flattens out the bumps and lessens the impact of pot holes and keeps the front end more steady and level. Coupled with the Flex O-Matic rear suspension, which automatically takes care of your load in the back - no matter how heavy within the limits - to ensure a consistent comfortable ride.

The 65 revision gives us a new platform and the fifth gen vehicles are built on this, although you’ll see the vehicle increase in size and additional engine options - although it’s slant six as standard…or that’s what a 1968 brochure told me on my quest for information on this lovely old pick up.

If you’re wondering what’s going on with the engine, well you’re in for a treat. This has been slightly improved and is the 360FE Engine, but with a twist. It’s now got the Edlebrock intake with 4 barrel Holley carb.

In 1969 when this was released, there were three trim levels available and I believe that was the case for the fifth generation in its entirety - although the names changed in 1970. There was the custom, custom cab and ranger. This is a custom cab and Ben believes it’s missing the original back section which would’ve made it the camper style.

In 1973, the fifth generation was retired and the sixth generation came to market. This saw the retirement of the FE engine in 76 as we’ve got in this today and the 335 and the 385 series introduced.

There were also a lot more modernisations made, which helped keep the vehicle fresh and the buyer hungry for the next big thing.

The F-250 is a great lesson to all vehicle manufacturers: create a solid, fuss free product that does exactly what your buyer wants and you’ll get them hooked for life.

We are now in the 14th generation of these pick ups and they’re still seen in their thousands across America and commonplace in every car park, business, town, city and suburb.

Although I don’t know about you, but there is a certain charm to this fifth gen that just can’t be topped by the newest models.