Ford celebrates 65 years of the F-series

On the heels of this week's reveal of the Ford Atlas concept pickup, a preview of the next-generation F-150, Wednesday marks the 65th anniversary of the venerable Ford F-series.

The first F-series truck was introduced to the public on Jan. 16, 1948. It replaced Ford's previous car-based pickup line that was introduced in 1941.

The press release announcing the original F-series noted that it was the first new post-war product from Ford Motor Co.

The press release highlighted the truck's cab designed with “living room comfort” with more space, better ventilation and three engine options: a 95-hp six-cylinder, a 100-hp V8 and a 145-hp V8.

That first F-series lineup included standard pickups with two wheelbase lengths, regular and heavy-duty models, commercial delivery trucks and 42- to 48-passenger school-bus trucks.

Get all the details from the original press release below:

By Angie Fisher