What year did Ford make their first pickup truck?
Ford's first pickup truck arrived in 1917 with the introduction of the Model TT, a dedicated light-duty pickup built on the Model T chassis. This launch marked Ford's entry into the market for commercial pickups and helped establish a new category that would shape its truck line for decades.
Origins and Launch
The Model TT was Ford's first true pickup, introduced in 1917 as a heavier-duty variant of the popular Model T. It featured a longer wheelbase, a reinforced frame, and an open cargo bed designed for hauling goods, tools, and equipment. Built to serve farmers, tradespeople, and small businesses, the TT expanded Ford's reach beyond passenger cars into practical commercial transport.
What defined the Model TT as a pickup?
In essence, the TT combined a sturdy, load-capable chassis with an open cargo bed to maximize utility. This design prioritized durability and cargo capacity over speed or luxury, signaling Ford’s commitment to practical workvehicles for the broader market.
The following list highlights key milestones in the TT's development and its place in Ford's lineup.
- 1917: Introduction of the Ford Model TT, widely regarded as the company's first pickup truck, built on a Model T chassis but with a longer wheelbase and reinforced frame for carrying loads.
- Late 1910s–1920s: TT variants and configurations offered various bed lengths and payload capacities, catering to diverse commercial needs.
- Circa 1927–1928: Model TT production winds down as Ford and competitors shift toward more modern truck designs, but the TT set the standard for light commercial pickups of its era.
The Model TT's practical design and affordable price helped expand the pickup market and set Ford on a long path in the commercial vehicle sector.
Design and Impact
Compared with the Model T, the Model TT featured a sturdier chassis and a longer wheelbase to handle heavier loads. It maintained many of the Model T's mechanicals for ease of maintenance, while offering a dedicated cargo bed—the essential characteristic of a pickup. With an approximate payload around one ton, the TT found use across agriculture, construction, and small business operations.
Why it mattered for Ford and the market
The TT's success established a blueprint for Ford's future pickups and influenced the broader approach to light trucks in the United States, helping popularize the pickup format and spur innovations in subsequent generations of Ford trucks.
Summary
Ford's first pickup truck arrived in 1917 with the Model TT, a landmark in the company's history that introduced the open-bed, heavy-duty pickup concept and set the stage for Ford's enduring presence in the pickup market.
