The half-ton F-Series truck featured handsome styling and a comfortable seating position for both the driver and passenger, and it was a tremendous success from the moment of its introduction in January 1948. For a number of years, the Blue Oval touted its pride and joy as being the only light-duty truck available with a V-8 engine, and indeed, the mighty flathead was a popular choice.

The 1949 model offered here was the recipient of a superb frame-off restoration in Washington Blue, and it featured like-new panel fit. The oak rails and floor of the truck bed are both in very nice condition, as is the vinyl-covered bench seat interior and its rubber floor mat. Its dashboard gauges are like-new and are joined by an original radio, which has been converted to AM/FM and plays wonderfully, and a heater with a defroster.

Overall, the paint finish is very good, although small scratches are visible upon close inspection. Under the hood has been updated with modern plug wires, a distributor, and an electric fan, making for reliable and enjoyable driving, and its dual exhaust underneath provides a terrific exhaust note. The wheels boast stainless trim rings and center caps and are shod in Firestone wide whitewall bias-ply tires. Its mileage is recorded at 91,046, which, given the truck’s overall solid condition, may well be actual mileage since new.

This early F-Series Pickup is well presented and in fine overall shape, and it is probably one of the nicest to have been made available in some years. It would be ideal for local showing or for driving, perhaps with a new owner’s distinctive signage added to the doors and an ample stock of farmer’s market purchases in the bed.