1940-1949 Ford Trucks

The big news for Ford trucks in 1941 was the availability of a new six-cylinder engine option to augment Ford's flathead V-8. The six had more torque than the V-8 and provided somewhat better fuel economy. And for those really interested in economy, also offered on some light- and medium-duty trucks during this period was a four-cylinder engine based on that of the company's farm tractor.

In war-related work, Ford began producing a version of the 434 "Jeep" type universal vehicle for the military, and also started constructing new war-related plants -- just in case the United States got drawn into World War II.

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A 1941 Ford COE flatbed gets loaded down with part of a ship's cargo. These trucks got a car-inspired grille for 1941 to replace the previous upright oval.

Conventional heavy-duty trucks retained the previous year's styling, as shown on this 1941 Ford Stake Bed. Note that all heavy-duty models retained freestanding headlights.

Ford-powered tractor-trailer rigs appeared in the late 1920s, and by the early Forties, were capable of pulling two heavily loaded trailers.

A shortened Ford one-ton chassis is seen fitted with a custom delivery body. Trucks used for local deliveries, such as this milk wagon, were sometimes ordered with 1941's newly available four-cylinder tractor engine for better fuel economy.

There's little doubt as to the cargo carried by this 1941 Ford truck operated by the Dunham Ice Company of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

As the United States was drawn into World War II, Ford changed its manufacturing plans to suit the war effort. Read about the Ford trucks of 1942, 1943, and 1944 in the next section.

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