A History of the Ford F-150 in Photos

Take a drive on any highway in the United States, and it’s easy to see that Americans like their pick-up trucks. The Ford F-series started production in 1948 and has been manufactured ever since - quite the legacy. The perennial favorite is the F-150, which was introduced in the sixth generation of the F-series 1973 to 1979. Photo: The Ford Motor Company

This 1974 advertisement for the 1975 F-150 boasts 60 inches of shoulder room in the cab, seven-inch deep foam seats, a one-ton payload capacity, four-wheel drive and the “smallest V-8 in the industry.” The SuperCab (right) was available with two-tone paint. Photo: The Ford Motor Company

The 1980 model year gained a new chassis for the first time in fifteen years. The larger-bodied F-150 had a more aerodynamic shape to improve fuel economy. The seventh generation F-series included models years 1980 to 1986, during which the grille gained the blue oval logo and a diesel version. Photo: The Ford Motor Company

For the 1987 model year and the eighth generation F-Series, the redesign included a nicer interior and a more rounded body for better aerodynamics. The 1987 F-150 was also the first truck to come equipped with rear anti-lock brakes. Photo: The Ford Motor Company

1993 saw the first of two generations of the SVT Lighting. With the SVT (Special Vehicle Team”) badge, the F-150 Lightning sported a 5.8 Liter Windsor V8, dual exhaust, and performance cylinder heads. Production in the first model year was just over 5,000. Photo: The Ford Motor Company

The ninth generation F-Series quickly followed for 1992 model year. Even more rounded than the previous generation, the 1994 F-150 featured driver’s side airbags. Photo: The Ford Motor Company

The F-150, along with the F-250, was built on a new chassis for light trucks in 1997. Despite poor safety ratings, it ultimately won Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year Award. The F-150 shared its V8 engine with the Crown Victoria, and the front end was completed redesigned; even more rounded than the previous three generations with a smaller, diamond-patterned grille. Photo: The Ford Motor Company

Ford created a Harley-Davidson edition of F-150’s, the third edition in 2003. Under the hood was the powerful, top-of-the-line 5.4 L Supercharged Triton V8 engine. Navigation systems started appearing in the special-edition and higher trim level F-150s. Photo: The Ford Motor Company

For 2004, the F-150 gained the now-signature step in the door window, and gained some of its edges back. Safety was much improved in this generation, garnering five stars. Photo: The Ford Motor Company

By the 2012 model year, now in the twelfth F-Series generation, the grille became much more prominent. Four engines were offered - two V8’s, a V6, and the V6 Ecoboost. Photo: The Ford Motor Company

The SVT Raptor is the off-roading F-150. Shown here at the 2013 SEMA show, it’s specially equipped with hill descent control, is two inches taller than the standard F-150, and has a wider track by five inches. “Ford” spans the front in the grille. Photo: Megan Green