Third Gen Ford F-Series — 1st Steps to Market Domination

This generation would be the first time you could order a 4-wheel-drive truck from the factory and there were many items added to F series that would ultimately be adopted by other manufacturers moving forward.

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An AI-generated transcript summary edited by a staffer is below.

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This transcript is a historical overview of the third-generation Ford F-Series pickup trucks, explaining why these models are historically important despite often being overlooked by collectors. 

Main Themes

• • The narrator emphasizes that trucks in the late 1950s were primarily built as work vehicles for farms and businesses, not everyday transportation.
  • This generation marked a turning point where Ford began leading truck design innovation instead of following competitors like GM and Dodge.

Major Innovations

The third-generation F-Series introduced several significant changes:

• • Factory Four-Wheel Drive (1959)
    • For the first time, Ford offered factory-installed four-wheel drive on F-Series pickups. 
  • Modernized Styling
  • Introduced in 1957, the trucks featured:
    • Streamlined bodywork
    • Integrated fenders
    • A wide grille
    • Smooth “Styleside” beds
    • A clamshell hood
    • Wraparound windshield for better visibility
  • Ford’s smooth-sided Styleside design later influenced Chevrolet and Dodge truck styling. 

Mechanical Details

• • Offered in three weight classes:
    • F-100
    • F-250
    • F-350
  • Body-on-frame construction with leaf springs front and rear.
  • Engines included:
    • 223 cubic-inch inline-6
    • 272 and later 292 cubic-inch V8s
  • Transmission choices:
    • 3-speed manual
    • 4-speed manual
    • Automatic options later added. 

Features & Options

Standard and optional equipment was surprisingly extensive for the era, including:

• • Hydraulic clutch
  • Seat belts
  • Tinted glass
  • Tow hooks
  • Heavy-duty radiators
  • Dome lights
  • Even optional electric shavers. 

Year-by-Year Changes

• • 1957
    • Major redesign introduced.
    • Ford outsold Chevrolet overall that year. 
  • 1958
    • New egg-crate grille and quad headlights.
    • Minor mechanical changes. 
  • 1959
    • Factory 4WD added.
    • Updated grille and more powerful V8 available. 
  • 1960
    • New grille and hood revisions.
    • Nylon seat upholstery introduced.
    • Expanded marketing of 4-wheel drive. 

Historical Importance

The narrator concludes that these trucks helped redefine pickups from strictly work tools into vehicles that could also serve as personal transportation. This shift would shape the future of the pickup market for decades.