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Photo of a Ford F-Series

Ford F-Series

America's pickup sales leader since 1977, with a 720-hp Raptor R for 2024.12

Researched November 9, 2026 from 37 sources

Also called

  • Bumpside1967–1972 trucks: the raised body-side curve runs from the front fender to the end of the bed.3
  • Dentside1973–1979 trucks: the concave side groove reverses the earlier Bumpside's raised contour.3
  • HighboyAn unofficial name for 1967–mid-1977 F-250 4WDs; their separate transfer case required a taller stance.3
  • OBSShort for Old Body Style: technicians used it for early Power Stroke trucks to distinguish their parts from Super Duty parts.4

At a glance

0400800
74–720 hpPower
0510
4–7.8 s0–60 mph
0125250
151.3–237.7 km/hTop speed
06001,200
197–1,166 N·mTorque
02,0004,000
1,824–3,865 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.2568911

Engine
Early flathead I6/V8; EcoBoost V6, PowerBoost hybrid, diesels; Lightning EV267
Layout
Combustion: front engine, RWD/4WD; Lightning: dual-motor AWD16
Gearbox
Early 3/4-speed manuals; modern F-150: 10-speed auto; Lightning: direct drives256
Built at
F-150: Dearborn Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly, United States2

The story

Ford gave the 1948 Bonus-Built F-Series a chassis of its own. A $1 million cab program added seven inches of width; by 2022, the electric Lightning put a motor at each axle.256

1948: Bonus-Built gets its own chassis19481953: F-100 name and Ford-O-Matic arrive19531975: F-150 uses weight to dodge emissions19751977: The U.S. pickup sales lead19772003: 237.7 km/h for the SVT Lightning20032015: Aluminum body, comparison-test win · F-350 diesel: 7.8 seconds to 60 mph20152021: PowerBoost adds 7.2 kW in the bed20212022: Lightning returns with two motors2022 Ford pickup (pre-F-Series): 1942–1947Ford F-Series, first generation: 1948–1952Ford F-Series, second generation: 1953–1956Ford F-Series, fifth generation: 1967–1972Ford F-Series, sixth generation: 1973–1979Ford F-Series, ninth generation: 1992–1997Ford F-Series, tenth generation: 1997–2004Ford F-150, twelfth generation: 2009–2014Ford F-Series, thirteenth generation (P552): 2015–2020P552Ford F-Series, fourteenth generation (P702): 2021–presentP702 19501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1235781315
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1942–1947Ford pickup (pre-F-Series)
1948–1952Ford F-Series, first generation
1953–1956Ford F-Series, second generation
1967–1972Ford F-Series, fifth generation
1973–1979Ford F-Series, sixth generation
1992–1997Ford F-Series, ninth generation
1997–2004Ford F-Series, tenth generation
2009–2014Ford F-150, twelfth generation
2015–2020Ford F-Series, thirteenth generation (P552)
2021–presentFord F-Series, fourteenth generation (P702)
1948Bonus-Built gets its own chassis
1953F-100 name and Ford-O-Matic arrive
1975F-150 uses weight to dodge emissions
1977The U.S. pickup sales lead
2003237.7 km/h for the SVT Lightning
2015Aluminum body, comparison-test win
2015F-350 diesel: 7.8 seconds to 60 mph
2021PowerBoost adds 7.2 kW in the bed
2022Lightning returns with two motors
  1. 1948

    Bonus-Built gets its own chassis

    The first F-Series pickups arrive with a purpose-built truck frame, breaking Ford's shared car-and-truck platform tradition.5

  2. 1953

    F-100 name and Ford-O-Matic arrive

    The half-ton F-1 becomes F-100, with Ford-O-Matic now offered. Y-block V8 power follows in 1954.17

  3. 1975

    F-150 uses weight to dodge emissions

    The F-150 arrives between F-100 and F-250, using a heavier gross vehicle weight rating to sidestep certain emissions requirements.18

  4. 1977

    The U.S. pickup sales lead

    The F-Series takes the U.S. pickup sales lead in 1977 and becomes the country's best-selling vehicle in 1981.1

  5. 2003

    237.7 km/h for the SVT Lightning

    Guinness certifies the SVT Lightning at a two-way average of 237.7 km/h, with mirrors folded and the radio antenna removed.9

  6. 2015

    Aluminum body, comparison-test win

    The F-150 adopts aluminum cab and bed panels; its Platinum wins against Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra.10

  7. 2015

    F-350 diesel: 7.8 seconds to 60 mph

    Crew-cab dually figures: 440 hp, 1,166 Nm, 8,618 kg rated towing, 3,025 kg rated payload and a measured 7.8-second 0–60 mph.11

  8. 2021

    PowerBoost adds 7.2 kW in the bed

    The F-150's first hybrid pairs a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with an electric motor: 430 hp, 773 Nm and up to 7.2 kW in the bed.2

  9. 2022

    Lightning returns with two motors

    The electric F-150 Lightning offers 98.0/131.0-kWh batteries and 452/580 hp, with one motor per axle and 1,051 Nm from either pack.26

Every generation

  • Ford pickup (pre-F-Series)
    Ford pickup (pre-F-Series)1942–1947
  • Ford F-Series, first generation
    Ford F-Series, first generation1948–1952
  • Ford F-Series, second generation
    Ford F-Series, second generation1953–1956
  • Ford F-Series, fifth generation
    Ford F-Series, fifth generation1967–1972
  • Ford F-Series, sixth generation
    Ford F-Series, sixth generation1973–1979
  • Ford F-Series, ninth generation
    Ford F-Series, ninth generation1992–1997
  • Ford F-Series, tenth generation
    Ford F-Series, tenth generation1997–2004
  • Ford F-150, twelfth generation
    Ford F-150, twelfth generation2009–2014
  • Ford F-Series, thirteenth generation
    P5522015–2020
  • Ford F-Series, fourteenth generation
    P7022021–present

Power over the years

From 100 hp to 720 hp in 76 years.

0200400600800 19501960197019801990200020102020 hp 1948 · 100 hp · F-1 flathead V81964 · 208 hp · 352 FE V81973 · 117 hp · 300 inline-six1993 · 240 hp · SVT Lightning 5.8 L Windsor V81999 · 360 hp · Lightning supercharged 5.4 L V82001 · 380 hp · Lightning 5.4 L Modular/Triton V82015 · 385 hp · F-150 5.0 L Coyote V82015 · 440 hp · F-350 6.7 L Power Stroke diesel2017 · 450 hp · Raptor 3.5 L EcoBoost V62021 · 430 hp · F-150 PowerBoost hybrid2022 · 580 hp · Lightning 131.0-kWh battery2024 · 720 hp · Raptor R 5.2 L supercharged V8 720 hp Raptor R 5.2 L supercharged V8 100 hp F-1 flathead V8
12456811121314151617
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1948100F-1 flathead V8
1964208352 FE V8
1973117300 inline-six
1993240SVT Lightning 5.8 L Windsor V8
1999360Lightning supercharged 5.4 L V8
2001380Lightning 5.4 L Modular/Triton V8
2015385F-150 5.0 L Coyote V8
2015440F-350 6.7 L Power Stroke diesel
2017450Raptor 3.5 L EcoBoost V6
2021430F-150 PowerBoost hybrid
2022580Lightning 131.0-kWh battery
2024720Raptor R 5.2 L supercharged V8

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    F-150 XL, STX, XLT and Lariat

  • F-150 King Ranch, Platinum, Limited and Platinum Plus

    Standard

    F-150 King Ranch, Platinum, Limited and Platinum Plus

  • Special

    F-Series Free Wheeling

    1977–1979

  • F-150 Tremor (off-road)

    Performance

    F-150 Tremor (off-road)

    2021–

  • F-150 SVT Raptor

    Performance

    F-150 SVT Raptor

    2010–2014

    411 hp
  • F-150 Raptor (second generation)

    Performance

    F-150 Raptor (second generation)

    2017–2020

    450 hp
  • F-150 Raptor / Raptor R (third generation)

    Performance

    F-150 Raptor / Raptor R (third generation)

    2021–

  • F-150 Tremor (street)

    Performance

    F-150 Tremor (street)

    2014

    365 hp

  • Special

    F-150 STX Lobo

    2025–

  • F-150 SVT Lightning (second generation)

    Performance

    F-150 SVT Lightning (second generation)

    1999–2004

    380 hp

    28,124 built

  • F-150 SVT Lightning (first generation)

    Performance

    F-150 SVT Lightning (first generation)

    1993–1995

    240 hp

    11,563 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • 1967–1972 bumpsides have a raised side ridge; 1973–1979 dentsides turn it into a groove.3
  • Styleside has smooth bed sides; the 1992 Flareside uses a narrowed dual-wheel-style bed.14
  • Highboy means a tall 1967–mid-1977 F-250 4x4; F-100 and F-150 4x4s do not qualify.3
  • 2015–2020 cabs: two-door regular cab, 2+2-door SuperCab or four-door SuperCrew.15
  • 2015 F-150s have C-shaped headlights; 2022 electric Lightnings add a light bar and closed grille.615

Year by year

  1. 1956

    The F-100 gains a wraparound windshield and revised grille; a panoramic rear window is optional.122

  2. 1957; 1961–1963; 1965–1966

    1957 integrates the front fenders; 1961–1963 integrated pickups have no cab/bed gap; 1965–1966 turn signals sit above the headlights.112

  3. 1978–1979

    For 1978, Custom keeps round headlights while Ranger trims get rectangular units; 1979 makes rectangles standard.8

  4. 1982; 1987; 1992

    1982 swaps hood lettering for a blue oval grille badge; 1987 adds flush headlights; 1992 rounds the nose and enlarges SuperCab rear windows.1413

  5. 1997; 1999; 2001

    1997 rounds the body and gives SuperCab a rear-hinged third door; 1999 adds a fourth; 2001 brings full-size-door SuperCrew.1

  6. 2018; 2024

    2018 swaps the trapezoidal grille for an octagonal two-bar design; 2024 revises lights and grilles and offers the Pro Access Tailgate.215

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Ford F-Series
    F-Series
    Photo of a Mercury M-Series
    Mercury M-Series

    Mercury M-Series

    Canadian counterpart sold as Mercury M-Series from 1948 to 1968; check the make and model identification.1

  • Photo of a Ford F-Series
    F-Series
    Photo of a Lincoln Blackwood
    Lincoln Blackwood

    Lincoln Blackwood

    The 2002 Lincoln has Navigator-style front bodywork, a unique bed and black-only paint, with the F-150 SuperCrew cab.1

  • Photo of a Ford F-Series
    F-Series
    Photo of a Ford Bronco (1978–1979)
    Ford Bronco (1978–1979)

    Ford Bronco (1978–1979)

    The nose and front doors are shared; the Bronco has a two-door wagon body and half-cab hardtop.8

Against its rivals

Prices

Price when newAuction sale
$0$25K$50K$75K$100K 200020052010201520202025 2001 · $32,460 · US base, SVT Lightning2002 · $36,495 · US base, Harley-Davidson SuperCrew2015 · $55,980 · US base, F-150 Platinum EcoBoost2015 · $61,520 · US tested, F-150 Platinum EcoBoost2015 · $58,525 · US base, F-350 King Ranch 4x42015 · $69,085 · US tested, F-350 King Ranch 4x42017 · $53,140 · US base, Raptor 4x4 SuperCrew2017 · $64,800 · US tested, Raptor 4x4 SuperCrew2022 · $41,769 · US base, F-150 Lightning2022 · $93,609 · US tested, Lightning Platinum 2018 · $26,950 · 1956 F-100, restored, 52,963 miles, Hershey2024 · $27,250 · 1999 F-150 SVT Lightning, 55k miles, BaT2025 · $46,500 · 1975 F-250 Custom Highboy 4x4, 69k miles shown, BaT2025 · $52,000 · 1956 F-100 392ci V8, 9k miles shown, BaT2025 · $13,500 · 1961 F-100 3-speed, 59k miles shown, BaT2026 · $25,500 · 1956 F-100, refurbished, 46k shown; TMU, BaT2026 · $26,250 · 1978 F-150 Ranger 4×4, modified, 10k shown/TMU, BaT2026 · $32,250 · 2003 F-150 SVT Lightning, 91k miles, BaT2026 · $91,000 · 2026 F-150 Raptor SuperCrew, 614 miles, BaT2026 · $18,000 · 2018 F-150 XLT Crew Cab FX4 4x4, 93k miles, BaT2026 · $14,500 · 1995 F-150 XL 5-speed, 118k miles indicated, BaT $91.0K BaT, 2026
610111317202228293031323334353637
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2001Price when new$32,460US base, SVT Lightning
2002Price when new$36,495US base, Harley-Davidson SuperCrew
2015Price when new$55,980US base, F-150 Platinum EcoBoost
2015Price when new$61,520US tested, F-150 Platinum EcoBoost
2015Price when new$58,525US base, F-350 King Ranch 4x4
2015Price when new$69,085US tested, F-350 King Ranch 4x4
2017Price when new$53,140US base, Raptor 4x4 SuperCrew
2017Price when new$64,800US tested, Raptor 4x4 SuperCrew
2022Price when new$41,769US base, F-150 Lightning
2022Price when new$93,609US tested, Lightning Platinum
2018Auction sale$26,9501956 F-100, restored, 52,963 miles, Hershey
2024Auction sale$27,2501999 F-150 SVT Lightning, 55k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$46,5001975 F-250 Custom Highboy 4x4, 69k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$52,0001956 F-100 392ci V8, 9k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$13,5001961 F-100 3-speed, 59k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$25,5001956 F-100, refurbished, 46k shown; TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$26,2501978 F-150 Ranger 4×4, modified, 10k shown/TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$32,2502003 F-150 SVT Lightning, 91k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$91,0002026 F-150 Raptor SuperCrew, 614 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$18,0002018 F-150 XLT Crew Cab FX4 4x4, 93k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,5001995 F-150 XL 5-speed, 118k miles indicated, BaT

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “237.7 km/h with the mirrors folded”
    • “Third in Class 8 with broken leaf springs”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 10 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 37 sources
  1. Ford F-Series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Ford F-Series (fourteenth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. What Is a Ford Highboy? Plus, More Ford 4x4 Truck History motortrend.com
  4. Ford F-Series (ninth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Ford F-Series (first generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Tested: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Is Revolutionary and Yet Feels Surprisingly Familiar caranddriver.com
  7. Classic Ford F-Series truck buying guide, history and review - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  8. Ford F-Series (sixth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  9. Guinness names Ford SVT Lightning "World's Fastest Production Pickup Truck" autoweek.com
  10. 2015 Full-Size Pickup Truck Comparison Test caranddriver.com
  11. 2015 Ford F-350 Super Duty V-8 Diesel 4x4 Tested: Pretty Quick caranddriver.com
  12. Ford F-Series (fourth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  13. Ford's F-Series Pickup Truck History, from the Model TT to Today caranddriver.com
  14. What To Buy: 1999–2004 Ford SVT F-150 Lightning caranddriver.com
  15. Ford F-Series (thirteenth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  16. Power Stroking: Ford Diesel Truck Buyer's Guide | DrivingLine drivingline.com
  17. 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Reliability: 40,000 Mile Long-Term Test caranddriver.com
  18. Ford's Coolest Special Edition Trucks Throughout The Years jalopnik.com
  19. Birth of Raptor Race Before Revolution fordracing.com
  20. First Look: 2002 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew motortrend.com
  21. History of the 2nd-Gen Ford F-150 SVT Lightning motortrend.com
  22. 1956 Ford F-100 Pickup | Hershey 2018 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  23. How the Ford F-150 Lightning’s Chief Engineer Linda Zhang Brought the World an Electric Pickup thedrive.com
  24. Ben Rhodes Drives Ford F-150 to NASCAR Truck Series Championship - The Lasco Press thelascopress.com
  25. 1999 FORD F-150 SVT LIGHTNING - The Fast and the Furious (2001) – Petersen Automotive Museum petersen.org
  26. Ford Performance and Xbox Collaborate on Custom F-150 Raptor to Appear at SEMA and in Forza Motorsport 7 - XBOX Wire news.xbox.com
  27. Bigfoot vs. USA-1: The Birth of Monster Truck Madness | HISTORY history.com
  28. 1999 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $27,250 on May 14, 2024 (Lot #146,892) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 1956 Ford F-100 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $25,500 on September 11, 2026 (Lot #262,819) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 1978 Ford F-150 Ranger 4x4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $26,250 on November 8, 2026 (Lot #273,031) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 2003 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $32,250 on September 17, 2026 (Lot #263,603) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 2026 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $86,000 on August 18, 2026 (Lot #258,401) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 2018 Ford F-150 Crew Cab XLT 4×4 FX4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,250 on June 24, 2026 (Lot #249,430) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 1995 Ford F-150 XL 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,500 on May 30, 2026 (Lot #245,236) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 1975 Ford F-250 Custom Highboy 4x4 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $46,500 on December 15, 2025 (Lot #223,495) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 392-Powered 1956 Ford F-100 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $52,000 on June 7, 2025 (Lot #195,049) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. 1961 Ford F-100 3-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,500 on March 14, 2025 (Lot #183,604) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • octane-magazine.com
  • autoweek.com
  • drivingline.com
  • jalopnik.com
  • fordracing.com
  • rmsothebys.com
  • thedrive.com
  • thelascopress.com
  • petersen.org
  • news.xbox.com
  • history.com

Photo credits

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