1949 Ford F1 239 flathead

Summary:

Excellent Truck!

Faults:

One of the impellers broke.

The radiator hose rotted away, but only after 50 years.

General Comments:

I believe that this truck is one of the best trucks I've ever owned. It's really easy to work on and has just been a great project. The 239 flathead V8 has good power and like most Fords, one can interchange Ford five bolt rims, making it easy to work on and reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th March, 2005

2001 Ford F1 XLT

Summary:

Great all-purpose SUV, with defective airbag

Faults:

This is my third Explorer in 9 years, and I do love the car. The usual/customary issues:

BRAKES have had to be replaced 2x on each car.

ELECTRONIC issues: electric windows froze; radio had to be replaced twice;

MOST SERIOUS ISSUE: SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN PASSENGER DOOR SLAMMED!!

My car was parked when my 12 year old (85 pound) daughter got into the front passenger seat and slammed the door (to get away from a dog), when her seat's side airbag deployed! Her injuries were minor, and she was OK. The car was taken to the dealership, where the service techs walked around the car, and said that it had to be a defect -- they had never seen anything like that before.

When the car's "black box" was formally inspected by the dealership, I was told that (1) there was a scrape on the front right fender (happened 3 months prior to the incident), (2) the black box code revealed "an impact," (3) the side sensors are in the front bumper, and that there was no defect! They never determined the speed of a PARKED car, nor did they take into consideration that the airbag deployment could have caused the "impact" on the black box! This is currently under investigation.

General Comments:

I LOVED this SUV, and felt completely safe in it up until this incident, but am fearful that the same situation could happen again if another door is slammed. There is definitely a problem with the airbags.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th October, 2003

20th Dec 2005, 11:45

Why is this review under the F1 category? You're off by about half a century...

1949 Ford F1 239 Flathead V8

Summary:

A great truck, but you need to be able to work on it

Faults:

Seats worn.

Exhaust rusted badly.

Body was beginning to rust badly, could be patched.

Needed work when first acquired, but ran like a champ after some work, very reliable.

General Comments:

Good performance for a truck. Though old it would still pass most other vehicles on the freeway.

Good reliable engine and transmission.

A lot of fun to own and drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th June, 2002

24th Mar 2005, 18:00

This was one of the best trucks ever made. the flathead V8 is easy to work on and there is a lot of space. and it just looks really cool too. they are real chick getters!

5th May 2005, 19:35

I am a chick that drives one... Love My '48 F1!

1950 Ford F1 239

Faults:

Transmission died after 44 years. Fuel pump pushrods tend to wear out quickly.

General Comments:

Believe it or not, this truck ran reliably for 44 years given only routine maintainance. It has the handling characteristics of a brick, and is low on power, but given it's age that's what you have to expect.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th September, 1999