1973 Ford F100 Utility (RHD)

Description

Ford’s F-series pickups have been in constant production since their introduction back in 1948 and the fabulous F-100 of 1953 proved Dearborn’s designers were capable of combining practicality with good looks. Since 1978, the F-series has been the best-selling truck in America; indeed by 1987 it had become the highest selling vehicle of any type in the land, displacing passenger cars for the first time. Ford sold the F-series in Australia right from the start, CKD versions supplied from Canada assembled in Geelong were initially marketed as Ford Freighters before adopting the F-100 moniker in 1956. Subsequent generations mirrored their American cousins, although it wasn’t until the early 1960s that Australian buyers were able to purchase the heavy-duty F-250 or F-350 pick-ups. Arguably the first ‘modern’ F-series, the fourth generation introduced in 1961 was built on a longer, lower new platform that essentially remained unchanged for the next two decades. Replacing the previous update in 1967, Ford’s freshly re-styled fifth generation F-series range brought some notable ugprades including a longer list of drivetrain options (a V8 was added by the early 1970s), better trim levels and bigger dimensions all round. Ford also expanded the model range, slotting the higher payload F-150 between the F-100 and heavy-duty trucks. Local production had relocated from Geelong to Campbellfield by this stage and we saw increasing numbers of F-100s on Australian roads in the 1970s, including the many ambulance fleets that adopted the big Ford. Values of early F-trucks have been on the rise in recent years and with the F-150 set to return to the Australian market in 2023 following a 15-year hiatus, interest in these iconic Fords is bound to increase.