Ford F-Series (second generation)

Distinguished by a two-bar grille, the 1953 F-Series internally denoted the 50th anniversary of Ford Motor Company with a commemorative emblem on the steering wheel horn button.[9] Alongside a completely redesigned chassis and body, the engine line was in transition, carrying over the 101hp inline-6 as the standard engine and the optional 100hp Flathead V8.

In a one-year-only combination, the Flathead V8 was offered with the newly optional Ford-O-Matic transmission.

For 1954, the grille was revised, introducing a single slanted design between the headlamps.[10] The powertrain lineup saw further change; along with a newly enlarged 223 cubic-inch inline-6 base engine (increased to 115 hp[12]), the Flathead V8 (which made its debut in the 1939 Mercury) was discontinued. Again using a 239 cubic-inch displacement, the overhead-valve 130hp Y-Block V8 brought a significant increase in power output.[9] The availability of Ford-O-Matic was expanded from the F-100 to F-250 and F-350 trucks.[12]

For 1955, a double-bar grille returned, distinguished with a center notch (for the V8 emblem) and revised hood emblems. Tubeless tires were introduced as an option.[13] The Custom Cab was introduced, grouping multiple upgraded interior options in a single option package.[9][13]

Though in its final year of production, the second-generation F-Series received a redesign of the cab, adopting a vertical A-pillar and wraparound windshield; a rarely seen option included a wraparound rear window.[9][10][14] While the cab saw significant change, the front bodywork remained largely unchanged, with only minor changes to the grille.

Several functional changes were introduced for 1956, with the F-Series adopting electric windshield wipers, tubeless tires (on models above the F-100), and a 12-volt electric system.[15] A deep-dish "Lifeguard" steering wheel was standard, while seatbelts were offered as an option.[9][15]

After an initial increase to 256 cubic inches for 1955, the Y-block was enlarged to 272 cubic inches for 1956; three versions were offered, producing up to 167hp.[9][15]

The 1954 F-100 was the last year for the flathead engine in the US. Models in Canada, however, (Mercury M-Series), retained the flathead. 1954-55 saw the introduction of the new 239 CID overhead valve Y-block V8, dubbed "Power King." The six-cylinder engine's displacement was also increased from 215 to 223 CID and power steering was introduced as an option. In the succeeding years the 239 Y-block was replaced with the 256, 272 and 312.

With pickup trucks, the standard transmission was a 3-speed column-shifted synchronized manual; optional transmissions included a 3-speed manual with overdrive and a 4-speed manual (with low first gear). A Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission was also optional.

Alongside the Medium-duty and Big Job F-Series conventional-cab trucks, Ford sold the C-Series COE, configured with a raised cab and shortened hood. This would be the final generation of the C-Series based on the F-Series trucks, as Ford introduced the tilt-cab Ford C-Series for 1957; the model line was produced in a single generation until 1990.

The B Series was a cowled chassis derived from the F-500 through F-750; though typically used for school buses, the platform was also used to underpin other conventional-type buses as well.[16]

Alongside its pickup truck body, the F-100 was also produced as a panel truck (a precursor to the E-Series van) and as a chassis-cab truck.[17][18]