History of Ford Trucks and SUVs in Photos

Previous to World War II, the Ford Motor Company made trucks based on their car chassis. After the war ended, Ford started manufacturing and selling the F-Series of trucks, which was built on a chassis designed specifically for trucks. The F-150 has been the best-selling pick-up truck for the past 43 years. In the years since the introduction of the F-Series, Ford has produced some memorable trucks and larger vehicles with varying degrees of utility.

Photo: Megan Green

While technically not a truck, the Ford Ranchero - 1957-1979 - is now a cool classic. The utility coupe had two doors and a cargo bed, and inspired competitor Chevrolet to try to one-up the Ranchero with the El Camino.

Photo: Megan Green

Introduced in 1983 as a compact pick-up truck (replacing a re-badged Mazda compact pick-up, imported and re-named the Courier), the Ford Ranger was a top-seller from 1987-2004. The third-gen Ranger, pictured here, was the last generation of the truck to be manufactured, falling victim to sluggish sales in the compact pick-up sector. The rear-wheel drive Ford Ranger EV, an all-electric pick-up, was also offered from 1998-2002.

Photo: Dennis Green

Early Ford Broncos were off-road vehicles. With a straight-6 engine under originally under the hood, the Bronco was designed and manufactured to directly compete with the Jeep

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In 1978, the Bronco was redesigned into a larger, full-size SUV. A V-8 engine was added and the wheelbase increased to 104" from 92" in the previous generation. Ford manufactured the Bronco through 1996, when it was replaced by the 4-door Expedition.

A smaller version, the Bronco II, was built on the Ranger platform, and was only around for six years.

Replacing the Bronco in 1996 was the Ford Expedition. The full-size SUV, now in its third generation, currently has a 5.4 liter Triton V-8 engine under the hood and will also be offered with the Ford EcoBoost V-6 starting in the 2015 model year. Twenty percent of Ford Expedition sales are in Texas.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

The Ford Explorer replaced the smaller-SUV space left open by the Bronco II. Currently in its fifth generation, the five-door mid-size SUV includes a push-button start and a power liftgate with modern tech conveniences like Ford SYNC, integrated GPS, and LED head- and tail-lamps.

Photo: Megan Green

First and second generation Ford Escapes were built on a platform developed in partnership with Mazda. The smallest of the Ford utility vehicles, the current generation Escape, starting with the 2013 model year, is offered with either front wheel- or all wheel drive depending on the trim level, and is called the Kuga in Europe. 

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The Ford Edge Concept was revealed at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. With a sleek aerodynamic exterior, Ford lavished the interior premium leather and a 10-inch display for the MyFord Touch infotainment. 

Photo: Megan Green

The Ford Flex is possibly the most curious-looking of the Ford crossover vehicles. With seating for seven people, the boxy exterior sports a floating white roof much like a Land Rover or a MINI. The side body panels are detailed with horizontal lines, and the back lift detailed with a large silver chrome panel.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Not to leave vans out of the equation, the full-size Econoline van was first manufactured in 1961, as seen in this classic advertisement.

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The E-Series will be replaced by the Ford Transit after the 2014 model year. The 2015 Transit Van was shown in Detroit in 2013. 

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The Transit Connect is available in either a passenger or cargo van.

Photo: Megan Green

Also at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Ford launched the Atlas Concept with every bell and whistle imaginable - Trailer Back-up Assist, hidden cargo ramps, Lane-keeping System, lightweight seats, LED headlamps and cargo box lighting, 100-volt electrical outlets in the cargo box, wi-fi… quite the tribute to 6t5 years of the F-150.

Photo: Megan Green

The C-MAX has been available in Europe since 2003, but it was only introduced in North America for the 2013 model year. It is available as both a hybrid and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid. Ambiguously classified as a Compact MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle), it features ample cargo space and can seat five people. 

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Ford Super-Duty was the umbrella name given in 1999 model year for F-Series models larger than the F-150; F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550. At this size, the trucks are purely utilitarian workhorses. 

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The Ford SVT Raptor, an F-150 variant, is made specifically for off-roading. Shelby introduced a high performance version at the 2103 New York International Auto Show.

Photo: Megan Green

One more modernized Ford F-series classic; revealed at SEMA in 2013, Gene Simmons' "Snakebit" 1956 F-100 was given a Shelby Mustang grille.

Photo: Megan Green