Ford C series

Last updated
Ford C series
Helena Fire Department Engine 62 Helena Alabama.JPG
Overview
Manufacturer Ford
Also calledMercury M series (Canada)
Production1957–1990
Assembly
Body and chassis
Class Medium-duty truck
Body style Cab over
Related
  • Ford H-Series (1961–1966)
  • Mack Model N (1958–1962)
Powertrain
Engine Gasoline
Diesel
Transmission Manual
Automatic
Chronology
Predecessor Ford C series (F-Series COE)
Successor Ford Cargo

The Ford C series is a range of trucks that was produced by Ford between 1957 and 1990. The first cab over engine (COE) truck produced with a tilting cab by Ford, the C series replaced the C-series COE variant of the F-Series, produced since 1948. Produced as both a straight/rigid truck and a tractor, many versions of the C series were produced, ranging from Class 5 to Class 8 GVWRs. The C-series was also used as a basis for fire apparatus production.

Contents

Produced for 33 years nearly unchanged (with the exception of its powertrain), the C series was the longest-produced commercial truck in North America at the time of its withdrawal; only the Mack Model R (39 years) and Kenworth W900 (59 years) have remained in production longer. In 1986, Ford began phasing in the Ford Cargo in North America, serving as its replacement after the 1990 model year.

C series COE (1948–1956)

"Helmet-shaped" COE (1955 Ford C-600) Ford C600 COE.jpg
"Helmet-shaped" COE (1955 Ford C-600)

Like other automotive manufacturers that built COE trucks before the 1960s, early Ford C series trucks were "helmet-shaped," cab-forward trucks that shared components with pickup trucks (the F-Series, in this case). From 1948 to 1952, they were simply COE versions of the F-5, F-6, F-7, and F-8. For 1953, they were redesignated the C series, but largely remained modified F-Series trucks.

Models consisted of the C-500, C-600, C-700, C-750, C-800, C-850 and C-900. Like the F-900, the C-900 also included a "Big Job" model. Diesel-engined trucks included an extra zero in the model designations (i.e. C-8000 or C-9000).

Design history

1973 Ford C-900 fire truck 1973 Ford C-900-1-.JPG
1973 Ford C-900 fire truck
Ford C series fire truck in action in 2010 Huachuca City Fire - 2010-03-16 - 04.jpg
Ford C series fire truck in action in 2010

As Ford started squaring off its vehicles in 1957, they finally gave the cab-overs their own designs separate from the rest of the Ford truck lineup. It featured a small grille near the front bumper, with a four-pointed star emblem on each end, the word "F O R D" spelled out below the windshield, and had a cog-and-lightning bolt crest emblem between the headlights. Variations of this emblem were found on many other Ford trucks during the 1950s and into the 1960s. The C series held onto this logo the longest.

Design updates

In a fashion similar to the Checker Marathon or Volkswagen Beetle, changes to the C series trucks throughout its production were very subtle. If anywhere, many of these changes were identifiable by the changes in the cowl insignias and badging. Between 1958 and 1960, the C series used a quad-headlight fascia. This was helpful for fire departments, which wanted to use the extra headlight bezels for emergency flashers, an option that was offered exclusively to fire, and other emergency vehicles after 1960. [1] In 1961, Ford reverted to the single-headlight design; the regular C series cab closely resembled the 1957 version. [2] A new Super Duty model was added. Another option included a small sleeper cab.

1963–1990

For 1963, the C series was updated with the same cowl insignias used by the rest of the medium- and heavy-duty truck lineup. The logo had the word FORD on top of a trapezoid with the model number designation. This insignia was used until 1967. [3] [4] Also in 1963, Ford introduced diesel versions of the C series, as well as the N series and heavy-duty F-Series. [5]

1986 Ford C-800 Diesel 1986 Ford 800 diesel.jpg
1986 Ford C-800 Diesel

In 1968, federal regulations required all automotive manufacturers to add side marker reflectors or lights, which Ford was able to add to the new cowl insignia used on the F-Series since 1967. That same year, Ford decided to add this insignia on the doors of the C series, as well. Unlike the Ford F-Series, which removed them for 1973, the C series would retain them until the end of production in 1990. After 1972, the Canadian Mercury version of the C series was discontinued, becoming the last Mercury truck until the 1993 Mercury Villager.

The year 1974 was the last for the cog-and-lightning bolt crest that graced the front of the C series trucks from the beginning, and other Ford trucks since the 1950s. In the 1980s, Ford began adding its blue oval logo to all models; it was added to the C series in 1984.

In 1981, the Ford Cargo was introduced by Ford of Britain as its largest truck line. For 1986, Ford began sales of the Cargo in North America, sourcing production from Ford Brasil. While the Cargo was largely intended to replace the C series, the popularity of the C series in niche applications led to both model lines marketed concurrently through the end of the 1980s.

After 33 model years with only minor changes, the final C series trucks were built in 1990. In 1997, production of the Ford Cargo in the US came to an end, as Ford sold the rights to the model line (alongside that of the Ford Louisville/Aeromax) to Freightliner.

Powertrain

Gasoline engines [6]
Diesel engines [6]

Ford H series (1961–1966)

In 1961, Ford introduced a variant of the C series in order to move into the Class 8 COE market. Named the H series, this version placed the cab much higher on the chassis; instead of being placed underneath the driver's seat, the front axle was moved forward, directly underneath the driver. With the higher placement of the cab, space was available for a larger grille, visually similar to the N-series conventional trucks which were introduced later. The cab cutouts for the C-series front wheels were turned into underfloor toolboxes and luggage space. With the stacked appearance of the H series, it soon earned the nickname "Two Story Falcon." [7] [8] HD-series trucks, with Cummins N-series diesels, were the first Ford diesel trucks. [9]

The "Two Story Falcon" lasted until 1966, when it was replaced by the W-series COE trucks. [10]

Usage by other manufacturers

Some historians have erroneously[ citation needed ] referred to the Ford tilt-cab as the "Budd" cab, implying it was an off-the-shelf item available to anyone. However, the C-series cab was designed by Ford, tooled at its own expense and built by the Budd Company to Ford Motor Company specifications. Other truck manufacturers had to obtain Ford approval before purchasing it. The exception was Mack, which bought most of the major cab stampings from Budd and assembled them itself on a floor pan of its own design. In Canada, the Ford "C" had an identical twin – the Mercury "M" Series offered from 1957 to 1972.

At least four truck makers used the Ford C-series tilt cab. Best known was the look-alike Mack model "N," which was produced between 1958 and 1962. The Four-Wheel-Drive Auto Company used some Ford "C" cabs which bore the FWD emblems, and Yankee-Walter used C series cab components on some of its large airport crash trucks. In Canada, the Thibault fire truck manufacturer of Pierreville, Quebec, also used C series parts for their Custom (i.e., non-commercial chassis) trucks.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford E-Series</span> Line of vans by American automaker

The Ford E-Series is a range of full-size vans manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced for 1961 as the replacement of the Ford F-Series panel van, four generations of the model line have been produced. Marketed for both cargo and passenger transport configurations, the E-Series has been designed with multiple design variations for both retail and commercial sale, including vans, and commercial-grade cutaway van chassis and stripped chassis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series</span> Series of pickup trucks manufactured by Ford

The Ford F-Series is a series of light-duty trucks marketed and manufactured by Ford Motor Company since the 1948 model year. The F-Series is marketed as a range of full-sized pickup trucks positioned above the midsize Ranger but below the larger Super Duty in the Ford truck lineup. Alongside the F-150, the F-Series also includes the Super Duty series, which includes the heavier-duty F-250 through F-450 pickups, F-450/F-550 chassis cabs, and F-600/F-650/F-750 Class 6–8 commercial trucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navistar VT engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Navistar VT engine family is a line of diesel engines that was produced by International Truck and Engine from 2003 to 2016. Developed as the replacement for the T444E V8, the VT V6 and V8 diesels were the smallest diesel engines used in Navistar vehicles, slotted below the DT inline-6 engine family. Sharing many applications with the DT466 inline-6, the VT engines were used in medium-duty trucks and school bus chassis, competing against the Cummins B-series and the Mercedes-Benz MBE900 diesel engines. In 2007, both the VT and DT engines were rebranded under the MaxxForce brand name, with model designations related to their displacement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet/GMC B series</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet and GMC B series was a series of cowled chassis that were produced by General Motors. Produced across three generations from 1966 to 2003, the model line was a variant of medium-duty trucks marketed under the Chevrolet and GMC nameplates. Initially derived from the medium-duty C/K series, later examples were derived from the GMT530 architecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series (medium-duty truck)</span> Medium-duty line of trucks manufactured by Ford

The medium-duty version of the Ford F-Series is a range of commercial trucks manufactured by Ford Motor Company since 1948. Derived from the smaller F-Series pickup trucks, the medium-duty range is currently in its eighth generation. Initially slotted between the F-Series pickup trucks and the "Big Job" conventionals, later generations were slotted below the L-Series "Louisville" trucks; the last two generations are the largest vehicles produced by Ford since its exit from the heavy-truck segment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International DuraStar</span> Medium-duty truck series

The International MV, known as the 4000 series prior to 2008 and the DuraStar from 2008 to 2018, is a line of medium-duty trucks produced by Navistar International since 2001. Introduced as the successor to the International 4000 series of 1989–2001, the 4000 series was renamed the DuraStar in 2008. Sharing its chassis with the medium-duty Ford F-Series, the International DuraStar competed against chassis cab vehicles derived from pickup trucks, such as the Freightliner M2 and the Hino 600, Developed as a Class 6-7 product range, the 4000/DuraStar was slotted below the 8000/TranStar regional-haul semitractor, with the Class 5 International TerraStar (2010–2015) serving as the smallest International conventional-cab product range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Task Force</span> American truck series

The Chevrolet Task Force is a light-duty and medium-duty (3600) truck series by Chevrolet introduced in 1955, its first major redesign since 1947. Known as the Blue Chip in the parallel GMC it had more modern design than the preceding Advance Design without sacrificing ruggedness or durability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford L series</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford L-series is a range of commercial trucks that were assembled and marketed by Ford between 1970 and 1998. They are also known as Ford Louisville or, for the 1990s aerodynamic models, Ford Aeromax. The first dedicated Class 8 truck produced by the company, although Ford had been producing "Heavy Duty" trucks since 1948 and their "Super Duty" lineup since 1958. The L-Series was the successor of the F-900/F-1000 Super Duty and the Ford N-Series. The line encompassed a wide range of models in GVWR Classes 6 through 8, as either straight trucks or as semi-tractors, with vehicles developed for medium-duty, on-highway, severe-service, and vocational applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International S series (bus chassis)</span> Motor vehicle platform

The bus chassis variant of the International S series is a cowled bus chassis that was produced by International Harvester from 1979 to 2004. Produced primarily for school bus applications, the chassis was also produced for other applications, including commercial-use buses and cutaway-cab buses. In addition, the cowled chassis formed the basis for front-engine and rear-engine stripped chassis produced for bus applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International R series</span> Motor vehicle platform

The International R series is a model range of trucks that was manufactured by International Harvester. Introduced in 1953 as the replacement for the International L series, the model line marked the introduction of the IH "tractor" grille emblem on International road vehicles. Sharing a cab with its predecessor, the R-series marked the introduction of four-wheel drive vehicles and the wider use of diesel engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford B series</span> Motor vehicle platform

The Ford B series is a bus chassis that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. Produced across six generations from 1948 to 1998, the B series was a variant of the medium-duty Ford F series. As a cowled-chassis design, the B series was a bare chassis aft of the firewall, intended for bodywork from a second-stage manufacturer. While primarily used for school bus applications in the United States and Canada, the chassis was exported worldwide to manufacturers to construct bus bodies for various uses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International 9000</span> Motor vehicle

The International 9000 Series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by Navistar International from 1971 to 2017. A conventional-cab truck, the model range was configured primarily for highway applications. In terms of size, the model range was slotted between the medium-duty Loadstar and severe-service Paystar series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series (first generation)</span> First generation of the Ford F-Series pickup trucks

The first generation of the Ford F-Series is a series of trucks that was produced by Ford Motor Company from the 1948 to the 1952 model years. The introduction of the F-Series marked the divergence of Ford car and truck design, developing a chassis intended specifically for truck use. Alongside pickup trucks, the model line included also panel vans, bare and cowled chassis, and marked the entry of Ford into the medium and heavy-duty truck segment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series (second generation)</span> Second generation of the Ford F-Series pickup trucks

The second generation of the Ford F-Series is a series of trucks that was produced by Ford from the 1953 to 1956 model years. Marketed as the "Triple Economy" series, the second-generation F-Series again encompassed a comprehensive range of vehicles, ranging from light-duty pickup trucks to heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series (fourth generation)</span> Fourth generation of the Ford F-Series pickup trucks

The fourth generation of the Ford F-Series is a line of trucks produced by Ford from the 1961 to 1966 model years. Introducing a lower and wider cab over the previous generation, Ford introduced several design changes to the model line. In line with modern pickup trucks, the bed sides, hood line, and window sill were all the same height. Ford returned the F-Series to two headlights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series (sixth generation)</span> Sixth generation of the Ford F-Series pickup trucks

The sixth generation of the Ford F-Series, also known as the "dentside Ford" to enthusiasts, is a line of pickup trucks and medium-duty commercial trucks that were produced by Ford Motor Company from the 1973 to 1979 model years. Produced by Ford in North America, Argentina, and Australia, this is the third and final generation of trucks derived from the 1965 Ford F-Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series (seventh generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The seventh generation of the Ford F-Series is a range of trucks that was produced by Ford from the 1980 to 1986 model years. The first complete redesign of the F-Series since the 1965 model year, the seventh generation received a completely new chassis and body, distinguished by flatter body panels and a squarer grille, earning the nickname "bullnose" from enthusiasts. This generation marked several firsts for the model line, including the introduction of the Ford Blue Oval grille emblem, the introduction of a diesel engine to the model line, and a dashboard with a full set of instruments (optional). Conversely, this generation marked the end of the long-running F-100, the Ranger trim, and sealed-beam headlamps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series (eighth generation)</span> Eighth generation of the Ford F-Series trucks

The eighth generation of the Ford F-Series is a line of pickup trucks and light- to medium-duty commercial trucks produced by Ford from 1987 to 1991. While the 1980 cab and chassis was carried over with minor changes to the vent windows, interior trim mounting locations, and floor pan shape on the transmisson hump, the 1987 model was more streamlined, and maintenance items were made simpler. The exterior was facelifted with new composite headlamps - the first American truck to have them - as part of a more aerodynamic front end. Inside, the interior was given a complete redesign. Rear antilock brakes were now standard, the first pickup truck to boast this. For the first time, all models were produced with straight-sided Styleside beds; the Flareside bed was discontinued except for a small number of early 1987 models using leftover 1986 beds with new circular fenders. In October 1989, the taillights' white reverse light was decreased in size.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series (ninth generation)</span> Ninth generation of the Ford F-Series trucks

The ninth generation of the Ford F-Series is a lineup of trucks that were produced by Ford from the 1992 to 1998 model years. The final generation of the F-Series to include a complete range of trucks from a half-ton F-150 pickup truck to a medium-duty F-800 commercial truck, this is the third generation of the F-Series body and chassis introduced for 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thames (commercial vehicles)</span> Subsidiary of Ford Motor Company

Thames was a commercial vehicle brand produced by Ford of Britain.

References

  1. "1964 Ford C-1000/Wesco Fire Engine(SPAAMFAA: Pacific Northwest Chapter)". Archived from the original on 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2008-05-26.
  2. "1961 Ford Trucks". HowStuffWorks. Archived from the original on 2011-09-08. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
  3. [American Truck & Bus Spotter's Guide: 1920-1985, by Tad Burness.]
  4. [Ford Trucks Since 1905, by James K. Wagner.]
  5. "1963 Ford Trucks". HowStuffWorks. Archived from the original on 2011-09-08. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
  6. 1 2 "Curbside Classic: The Almost Immortal Ford C-Series" . Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  7. Ford H Model (2 Story Falcon) Cab Over (Sour Kraut's Model Truck Parts)
  8. Keith Cantone Collection (Hank's Truck Pictures)
  9. "1962 Ford Trucks". HowStuffWorks. Archived from the original on 2011-09-01. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
  10. "1966 Ford Trucks". HowStuffWorks. Archived from the original on 2011-09-09. Retrieved 2010-03-09.

Resources