1950 Ford F1

Have you met Ford’s original F-series truck? Well, the time is now. Innovative for its release in 1948, the all-steel body and distinct grille made it a standout for early American pickup trucks. As Berkley One Classics celebrates the big 5-0, we’re hosting an exciting virtual car show for collectors and enthusiasts alike. We’ll share our love of classic cars by spotlighting 50 cars for 50 years that have been chosen and beloved by our employees. Each will showcase the evolution of design and engineering and provide a nostalgic journey through auto and pop culture history. Read on as Ethan Nestel, Berkley One Underwriter, tells us why he loves the Ford F1.

Prefer to read a text version of the above graphic? We’ve got you covered below!

The Car

The 1950 Ford F-1 was innovative and ahead of its time. The full-size pickup truck featured a reliable flathead V8 engine, two door cab design, and rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The rugged all-steel body and distinct grille made it an eye-catching standout of early American pickup trucks.

The Collector

The F-1 truck captured the look and feel of post-war America. Known for a reliable and capable engine mated to a manual transmission, the F1provides a truly vintage driving experience. With an improved design from the previous Ford Truck model (that being the Ford Pickup), the Ford F-1 was larger with more payload capacity enabling a broad range of uses in many different markets. The Ford F-1 was first to introduce telescopic double-acting shock absorbers to the truck market. These shocks help the suspension work more efficiently over rough terrain. From its release in 1948 until its next iteration in 1951, the Ford F-1 Pickup truck sold over 230,000 units.

The Love

The F-1 was the original Ford “F” series truck. All trucks after this model have the designation of “F” such as the F-150 and F-250. As an avid fan of the Ford truck and former owner of a Ford F-350 diesel truck, I have always loved the history and innovation of the Ford “F” series line of pickup trucks.

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Contributed by Ethan Nestel

Photo: Garage Kept Motors

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This car feature is part of our 50 Cars for 50 Years campaign in honor of Berkley One Classics celebrating 50 year of insuring collectors and their vehicles. See the other cars we love here:

Spotlight #1, Spotlight #2, Spotlight #3

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Berkley One Classics is a Berkley Company who recognizes that classic cars are unique and require insurance that’s equally distinctive. Let us help you protect your beloved vehicle so you can enjoy it for years to come. Learn more here Classics