Make: | Ford |
Model: | Other Pickups |
Type: | Standard Cab Pickup |
Year: | 1948 |
Mileage: | 56897 |
VIN: | 88rc42998 |
Color: | Red |
Engine: | 239 CI Flathead V8 |
Cylinders: | 8 |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Transmission: | Manual |
Drive type: | RWD |
Interior color: | Brown |
Vehicle Title: | Clean |
Item location: | Oakland, California, United States |
This first year "Bonus Built" classic has lived in the East Bay for over 7 decades 13 miles from it's birth. This is a fact that is difficult to duplicate.Ford’s legendary F-Series was first unveiled in January of 1948, Ford’s first postwar line with eight levels of trucks: F-1 for half-ton pickups, F-2 for the three-quarter ton, up to F-7 and F-8 heavy duty trucks. Base engine was a 226-cid flathead six cylinder. This example has the optional V8 Ford’s infamous flathead V8 displacing 238-cid and making 100 horsepower. Ford’s truck engines were painted red from 1948 through 1951.
Fords all-new post war vehicle (preceding the all-new 1949 Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln car lines) not only saw the start of future sales success, but the start of an easily identifiable nameplate that has evolved into the F-series nameplate Ford uses today 71 years later. Promotional people didn’t call these machines “Bonus Built” for nothing. Ford reportedly spent $1 million in 1948 the equivalentto $10 million in 2019 to give buyers more truck than ever before.Increasing driver and passenger friendliness was a main goal; the wider, taller “Million Dollar Cab” offered a “living room” feel, and its improved seat delivered “easy chair comfort”
Cosmetically this truck is 71 years old and in very nice shape. The body is quite straight with a a few minor dings here and there as well as some scratchesI really tried to capture all the imperfectionsin the numerous high definitionphotos I have included. The truck has no rust anywhere except for a small section below the tailgate. The bed is an interesting design with a normal wood slat style bed and a metal floor welded on top. After 71 years the metal floor has become thin in the bed. There are a few small cracks in the original glass. The wheels and hubcaps are original and look great. The tires hold air but are several decades old.
The interior in this truck is in awesome shape. The simplicity and originality is refreshing in this day in age we live in. All the original red paint shines great. The originalgauges are functional. The original optional drivers only sun visor is still very much present. The majority of the originalheadliner cardboard is still very much present and in good shape. This is amazing that after 71 years most of the headliner is still there. The original seat in in great shape and quite plush again after 71 years is amazing and a testament to the quality of materials combined with proper indoor storage. The original flooring is also in fantastic shape and very much present and not ripped up.
Mechanically when a motor is properly stored it makes all the difference in the world when decades later it comes time to lighting the fire. This 239 Flathead v8 has been stored properly and is runner. The motor runs strong, and shifts smooth in all gears. The truck is still a stock 6 volt setup, all of the electronics are functional. The brakes stop as they should. The truck is mechanically in good condition and doesn'tappear to have any issues. However the truck is 71 years old and been sitting for the majority of its life.
Anyone can restore a truck finding an original California survivor in red is hard to duplicate
Vin# 88RC42998
8= 19488= V8 ENGINE R=Richmond C= ½ TON TRUCK 42998= PRODUCTION SEQUENCE
54110 – MILESaveraged miles per year is 762
Showroom rivals to the GM Advanced Design trucks. Ford’s first all-new post war vehicles (preceding the all new 1949 Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln car lines) not only saw the start of future sales success, but also the start of an easily identifiable nameplate that has evolved into the F-series Ford uses today.
Unveiled in January of 1948, Ford’s new postwar pickup line started off with the F-1 half ton. Ford motor company spent over $1 million promoting the all “Bonus Built” F series model’s giving buyers more truck for their money increasing driver and passenger friendliness was the main goal; wider, taller “Million Dollar Cab” offering a “living-room feel, and its improved seat delivered “easy chair comfort”
A floor-shifted three-speed transmission was standard on te half-ton F1 trucks, with a four-speed transmission standard on bigger trucks, and optional on he half-ton trucks.
Aside from the drivetrain and the 114” wheelbase, Ford’s “Bonus-Built” trucks were completely different from the car-based trucks they replaced. All-new front sheet metal featured integrated headlights, a one piece windshield which increased visibility, and wider, longer and taller cabs.
Increased interior dimensions started with a seven-inch stretch in cab width. By positioning the door hinges three inches farther forward, easier entry was obtained.
The steering wheel was more horizontal and mounted closer to the driver, and a three-person bench seat moved back and forward on roller bearings. To help isolate frame flex, rubber mounts were used between cab and frame
Early Ford F-1 models had a 6-1/2 foot cargo box with an all-steel floor, giving 45-cubic feet of load space . Ford F-2 and F-3 models fitted with an eight -foot bed. As with common in the day, Ford trucks left the factory with a left only tail light.
114 in wheel base
OPTIONAL 100 HORSEPOWER 239 2BBL FLATHEAD V8
What is a true California car?
This truck is a true California original built 71 years ago just 13 miles away at the historic Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Richmond, California. The Richmond Assembly plant built during the depression in 1930 was the largest assembly plant on the West Coast with nearly 500,000 square feet.
To ensure that America prepared for total war during World War II President Franklin D. Roosevelt banned the production of civilian of civilian automobiles. The Richmond Ford Assembly Plant switched to assembling Jeeps and putting the finishing touches on tanks, half track armored personal carriers, armored cars and other military vehicles destined for the Pacific Theater
By July 1942, military combat vehicles began flowing into the Richmond Ford plant to get final processing before being transported out the deep-water channel to the war zones. The "Richmond Tank Depot" (only one of the Tank Depots in the country) as the Ford plant was then called, helped keep American fighting men supplied with up-to-the-minute improvements in their battle equipment. Approximately 49,000 jeeps were assembled, and 91,000 other military vehicles were processed here
After the war, the devastation to the local economy as a result of the closing of the Richmond Shipyards would have been crippling had it not been for the continued production of the Ford Plant. The last Ford was assembled in February 1953, with the plant being closed in 1956 and production transferred to the San Jose Assembly Plant to accommodate increased productivity demands.
The plant was featured in the movie "Tucker: The Man and His Dream." Principal photography started with first unit shooting on April 13, 1987 in the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Richmond, California.
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