The Ford Motor Company proved its power to accommodate during the difficult post - Depression age of the thirties . The innovational Ford trucks and cars made during this time managed to remain reasonably price – an act of flexibility that helped Ford survive the 10 .
The Thirties dawned in a disconsolate state as the Great Depression took hold . People were out of body of work , place upright in breadlines , and money to buy anything – countenance alone new cars and motortruck – was scarce . Profits made during the Roaring Twenties seemed to go away overnight , and many carmaker did n’t weather the financial storm .
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Ford managed to pull round , of line , partly due to its sheer size and deepness of resources . But the company help its own causa by not resting on its laurels , rather bring out better - look , well - perform vehicles offer in a enceinte kind of models . And unfaltering monetary value cutting did n’t hurt , either .
Styling changes to the 1930 and 1931 Model A cars and Model AA truck made them look fresh , and several special models were added to extend the make ’s appeal . But this turned out to be just a warm - up for what was presently to get .
During these class , main competitor Chevrolet offered a six - cylinder engine , which was see a competitive advantage over the four - piston chamber establish in the Model A. So when Henry Ford start brainstorming a heir to the A , he decided to trump Chevrolet with a V-8 engine .
The Ford trucks of 1930 feature revised styling and sleek look . Read about the Ford trucks that complain off the decade in the next section .
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1930 Ford Trucks
Ford motortruck in 1930 were updated with sleek style variety . Several special example were also added to widen the make ’s appeal .
First offered on hand truck for 1930 , Deluxe trim included stainless - sword radiator and headlights , which really help dress up this Vermillion Red Ford pickup . Broad whitewalls and a chromed spare - tyre cover did n’t hurt either . no matter of body color , the fenders – which train back far in front for 1930 – were always black .
A restored Deluxe - trim Ford Sedan Delivery shows off the side - hinged rear door that provide easy access to cargo .
Ford Natalie Wood - body place wagons could seat up to eight passenger .
A rare 1930 AA dump truck on the standard 1311/2 - in wheelbase show off the steel phonograph record wheels follow by heavy - duty Ford hand truck during the 1929 manakin year , as well as the available dual rearward cycle . It has been mend with its received trim , which included body - colouring material radiator and headlights . Power come from a 200 - three-dimensional - inch , 40 - HP four - cylinder engine similar to that used in contemporary Model A cars , but it ’s couple to a four - speed transmittal ( vs. a three - speed ) for a wider range of gear ratio .
An unusual truck based on the Model A ( 1031/2 - inch wheelbase ) chassis was the Ford Deluxe Pickup , boast a high - walled cargo bed entire with the cab . Chrome rails were conform to to the top of its forest - line bottom . Many were used by General Electric to advertise refrigerator gross revenue , but the body style would be discontinued after 1931 .
Ford trucks in 1931 featured more satiny styling . Check out the Ford truck of 1931 in the next surgical incision .
1931 Ford Trucks
Ford stay on to bid sleek , updated styling on its 1931 trucks . Deluxe - passementerie modeling were pop this twelvemonth as well .
A restored 1931 Model A postal truck carries its original California license number . observe the slide side door , which has been left subject .
This 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Delivery was restored to resemble a New Era Dairy truck the owner ’s father had driven in Herrin , Illinois , after World War II .
This restored 1931 Model AA carry the weight of 72 five - gallon methamphetamine hydrochloride bottle . It ’s mounted on the longer wheelbase ( 157 in ) AA chassis that join the standard 1311/2 - inch AA chassis for 1930 . The recollective - wheelbase version could carry bodies up to 12 feet in length ; previously , the stock bod required aftermarket frame annex for torso over nine foot .
Ford bring out a new V-8 engine in 1932 . Read about the Ford trucks of 1932 in the next section .
1932 Ford Trucks
During the early thirties , main Ford hand truck rival Chevrolet offered a six - piston chamber engine , which was considered a competitive vantage over the four - cylinder institute in the Ford Model A. So when Henry Ford set about brainstorm a replacement to the A , he adjudicate to trump Chevrolet with a V-8 engine .
When it was introduced in March 1932 , the V-8 - powered Model 18 was a sensation right out of the gate . A four - cylinder version , promise the Model B , was also offered , since it was mat up many people would be pull to its greater economy – and low toll . But so popular was the V-8 that the four - cylinder would quickly fade from the scene .
The problem with introduce a car in 1932 was that this was the worst yr of the Great Depression . Not many mass were concerned in buying a raw Ford , V-8 engine or no . Yet the powerplant gave the low - priced car an upmarket feature not offered by rivals , which doubtlessly help gross sales .
Ford had originally planned for the V-8 to be used in cars only , not in trucks – odd , since it would seem to be a natural for clayey - duty haulier . But this plan quickly changed when hand truck buyers began clamoring for the Modern locomotive engine .
At about 800 Depression - earned run average dollar , the Ford Station Wagon was an expensive proposal when a Fordor saloon started at $ 540 , but the wagon seated eight vs. five for the sedan .
Star of the 1932 line was Ford ’s raw flathead V-8 . Displacing 221 three-dimensional inch and bring forth 65 horsepower , it was offered alongside an improved four - cylinder , now rated at 50 hp .
Thanks in part to a wheelbase stretch nearly 3 inches to 106 , Model B pickup bed grew more than 10 inches in length for 1932 to nearly 70 in . present is a prototype of the Open Cab Pickup , of which few were built .
Although Ford gondola underwent radical raw styling , few Ford motortruck receive the same care in 1933 . take about these 1933 Ford trucks in the next section .
1933 Ford Trucks
Nineteen thirty - three was a big class for Ford milestone . The company celebrated its 30th day of remembrance , along with the production of its 21 - one-millionth vehicle . Ford was also a major participant in the " Century of Progress " exposition held in Chicago that year , and Henry Ford proudly open his Greenfield Village complex in Dearborn . This multifaceted presentation was his salute to American account and the American way of life in its earlier days .
observe this 1933 BB Stake truck ’s rounded - off wicket and arc headlight bar . Its rear leafage spring are also inverted and pore over the axle in what we ’d now call " normal " fashion .
The economy in conclusion start to slowly ameliorate in 1934 , and Ford took notification . Read about the Ford motortruck of 1934 in the next section .
1934 Ford Trucks
Due to low need , 1934 was the last year not only for the four - piston chamber engine , but also for open - cab Ford hand truck . Since both of these represent the least - expensive choice , it was a elusive signal that the economy was at last beginning to improve .
Ford truck did n’t share the railroad car line ’s sleek 1933 styling alterations , but did get a thicker grille living accommodations and lower headlight bar , as shown on this little - changed ' 34 pickup .
Ford ’s V-8 had grown so democratic that the four - cylinder engine was fazed out during the model class , as was the roadsterlike Open Cab body for trucks .
The Ford Model BB chassis see varied uses , as certify by this 1934 school jalopy .
Carrying its original oak Stake Bed is a V-8 - powered 1934 Model BB on the standard 1311/2 - column inch - wheelbase build .
The longer 157 - inch chassis hosted this Texaco tanker . A full load of fuel doubled its 7500 - lb curb free weight .
Ford trucks at long last got a facelift in 1935 . hold in out 1935 and 1936 Ford trucks in the next segment .
1935 and 1936 Ford Trucks
The year 1935 turned out to be a heavy year for Ford . Both Ford car and Ford truck featured engine room improvements and fresh styling , and customer answer . When the numeration was counted at the end of the class , more buyers chose Fords – both cars and truck – than any other make .
A 1935 redesign for the Ford truck line brought a more voluptuous radiator grille , skirted buffer , and lay - back windscreen , which left them closer in appearance to contemporary Ford cars . A little - changed 1936 Ford pickup is show up . Note the conflict in pilot contour compared to that of the Sedan Delivery above .
As before , the 1936 Ford Sedan Delivery was based on the car melodic line , and thus carried the fuller fenders and tapered headlight housings of Ford ’s passenger vehicles . A side - hinge rearward door give promiscuous access to cargo .
Unlike the Ford Sedan Delivery , the Ford Panel Delivery was motortruck free-base , so it carried truck styling – along with dual side - hinged rear doors , a big cargo compartment , and higher warhead mental ability . This 1936 Ford example is nearly identical to the redesigned 1935 Ford . The chrome grillwork identifies it as a Deluxe version .
Ford hand truck in 1937 offered good fuel thriftiness but small variety in terms of styling . Read about 1937 Ford truck in the next segment .
1937 Ford Trucks
Despite the success of the V-8 , Ford was sometimes criticize for not pop the question an " economic system " railway locomotive . So in 1937 , the company responded by adding a radically downsized V-8 . Whereas the original ( which continued ) displaced 221 three-dimensional inches and grow 85 HP , the new V-8 was size at just 136 cid with a military rating of 60 hp . While the difference in power between the two did n’t count like much on newspaper publisher , in world , the smaller engine was just too small , and like the four - piston chamber that antecede it , was soon dropped .
Ford also enter the transportation system - bus business in 1937 with the introduction of the advancing - ascendancy chassis , which place the locomotive off to one side so the driver could sit next to it rather than behind it . The company also start out offering truck in fancier Deluxe trim .
New styling that placed the headlamp part into the fenders grace the 1937 car production line , as prove on this 1937 Ford Sedan Delivery . hard to see is its split , vee’d windshield , another 1937 innovation .
The 1937 Ford Sedan Delivery interior enjoyed increased room , as the newly useable rear - hop on spare tire opened up place in the cargo compartment .
All 1937 pickups had a V-8 railway locomotive – along with the appropriate badge on the side of the hood – but new offer that year was a 136 - cubic - column inch 60 - horsepower version that foretell good fuel economy than its bigger 221 - Criminal Investigation Command 85 - hp comrade .
Trucks got a full grillwork and vee’d windshield for 1937 , but did n’t look anywhere near as innovative as the car line .
The interiors of 1937 Ford truck did n’t match the Modern styling on the Ford cars of the same year .
New Ford truck models made appearances in 1938 . Learn about 1938 Ford trucks in the next department .
1938 Ford Trucks
Ford pickup truck were fitted with a new hack , front - oddment sheetmetal , and bed for 1938 , while 11/2 - ton versions get a novel anatomy .
A further attraction was the debut of a truck that slotted between the light - duty machine - based pickup and the cloggy - duty 11/2 - ton theoretical account . grass at one long ton , the young series was appropriately call the " One - Tonner . " It would be followed by a Three - Quarter Tonner the following year . Also introduced by Ford in 1938 were the diligence ’s first Cab - Over - Engine ( COE ) framework .
bulging front and rearward fenders mark the 1938 Ford pickup trucks .
The 1938 Ford pickup hand truck also pay back a new cab and pickup bed .
An oval grillwork was the last new trace to the 1938 Ford break up motortruck models .
A wrecker disport the Cab - Over - Engine ( COE ) chassis and body Ford infix for 1938 . It cater for a shorter overall length with a reach - sizing utility soundbox – which in this face was pretty short to begin with .
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This 1938 fire truck was used by Ford at its Rouge Plant in Detroit .
The final year of the X score a first for Ford trucks – hydraulic brake – and other changes for Ford trucks . Read about 1939 Ford hand truck in our terminal section .
1939 Ford Trucks
While the large news of 1939 was the beginning of World War II , which would have a profound issue on people around the earth , the big news at Ford Motor Company was the introduction of the Mercury .
Aimed at car like Pontiac , Oldsmobile , Hudson , and Dodge , it dedicate Ford a competitor in the midpriced flying field . It also fetch a larger V-8 locomotive engine of 239 cid and 95 hp , which would quickly find its way into Ford trucks .
Nineteen thirty - nine will also be remembered as the year Henry Ford ultimately buckled to buyer force per unit area and replaced his fomite ' old - fashioned mechanically set off brake with modern hydraulic unit . Virtually all Ford ’s competitors had made the switching years before , and though Henry did n’t trust the new system , their absence on Ford vehicles was consider a safety hurt .
To close out this decade , it should be advert that Canada joined Great Britain in tardy 1939 by declaring war on Germany , and before long thereafter , the Ford Motor Company of Canada , Ltd. , started producing military specification vehicles for the war effort . It was an Oman of things to come for the parent ship’s company , as the United States would enter the war two years later on .
A 1939 Ford COE Stake Bed motortruck serve as a rolling billboard for a drink company , unfold the word that Pepsi strike the post , Nehi occur in your preferent flavors , and Set - Up ’s " Lithiated Lemon " makes for a good mixer . The motortruck was probably also ready to hand for deliveries .
A former Ford Rouge Plant fervidness motortruck – similar to that shown on the old page – was afterward used in Flint , Michigan , for for a while before being mend to its original glory .
Though it looked little different than its 1938 counterpart , this 1939 Ford pickup boasts the unseen reward of hydraulic brakes . Most competitors had embrace them years before , but Henry Ford had firm stuck with the old mechanically actuated Pteridium aquilinum until public and dealer pressing forced his hand .
While car dashboards of the menses began to show some semblance of " style , " Ford truck dashboard rest as 2-dimensional and featureless as … well … a board .
The styling of the 1939 Ford pickup truck closely resembled the 1938 example .
The 1930s started off as a disruptive decade for the res publica . By embracing tractability and institution , Ford Motor Company was able to survive the turmoil , and even contend to offer several memorable Ford motortruck in the process .
