History of the Pick-Up Truck
The pickup truck seems to have been around forever, but what is its history?
The unique style of the pick up truck has been altered in several ways, mostly for aesthetic value. Although, the first pick-up trucks were created for their functionality, the pickup was created by a poor farmer in Australia, who wrote to Ford Motor Company, stating, “Why don’t you build people like me a vehicle which I can take my family to church on Sunday, and my pigs to town on Monday?”
In October 1933 Ford Australia handcrafted their very first version of the pickup truck we know today. The designer of this first truck was Lewis Bandt, an engineer with Ford Motor, Australia. His sketches were based off of the 1925 version of the Ford Model T car. The rear of the vehicle was modified to create a wider, longer bed. In the first year of production, 34,000 pick-ups were built and sold.
After Chrysler acquired the Dodge company in early 1928, the Dodge brothers crafted their own version of the pickup truck. This version was rarely used for the public, and was purchased more for delivery and commercial use.
Formally defined as a light motor automobile with an open-top rear cargo bed, the idea swept over Australia, being grandly accepted, known then as the ‘ute’ (utility vehicle). Most Australians and South Americans still refer to pickup trucks as the ’ute’, today. Nearly all of the pickup trucks today resemble that first model, and as of 2000, over 3,370,000 pick up trucks have been sold in the United States alone.
When the pickup truck hit the markets of North America, ranchers were the first to accept the vision. Used for feeding animals, hauling lumber/fencing and towing, these ranchers and other westerners gave the pickup a portrayal of freedom and the Old West. Some ranchers began calling the pickup the ‘Cowboy Cadillac’, emphasizing the beloved culture of a useful vehicle. Texans today own fifteen percent of all pickups owned in all of North America. With that, automakers have come out with versions of the pickup truck, known as the ‘Lone Star Edition’ and the ‘Texas Edition’. Even George W. Bush was seen in Crawford Texas driving a white Ford F250 pickup truck while on vacation.
The evolution of this creation has worked into the modern SUV and bigger versions of the pickup truck; for off-roading, heavy hauling and more strenuous tasks. Although, the vision has remained, to date, companies such as Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Nissan, Toyota and Subaru have created versions of their own pick-up truck.
The military has also adapted versions of the pick-up truck for technical use and combat vehicles. Pickup trucks carry soldiers around the world, as well as carrying armor, weaponry and food. Some pickups have even been altered to include machine guns atop them and bullet-proof shielding. Having a machine gun in the front seat is possibly what spurred the term ‘riding shotgun’.
The pickup has several uses, and continues to be a top-seller in the automotive world. Whether used for camping or racing these tough-built vehicles have come a long way since 1933.
Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used car Austin and the surrounding area. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.
The unique style of the pick up truck has been altered in several ways, mostly for aesthetic value. Although, the first pick-up trucks were created for their functionality, the pickup was created by a poor farmer in Australia, who wrote to Ford Motor Company, stating, “Why don’t you build people like me a vehicle which I can take my family to church on Sunday, and my pigs to town on Monday?”
In October 1933 Ford Australia handcrafted their very first version of the pickup truck we know today. The designer of this first truck was Lewis Bandt, an engineer with Ford Motor, Australia. His sketches were based off of the 1925 version of the Ford Model T car. The rear of the vehicle was modified to create a wider, longer bed. In the first year of production, 34,000 pick-ups were built and sold.
After Chrysler acquired the Dodge company in early 1928, the Dodge brothers crafted their own version of the pickup truck. This version was rarely used for the public, and was purchased more for delivery and commercial use.
Formally defined as a light motor automobile with an open-top rear cargo bed, the idea swept over Australia, being grandly accepted, known then as the ‘ute’ (utility vehicle). Most Australians and South Americans still refer to pickup trucks as the ’ute’, today. Nearly all of the pickup trucks today resemble that first model, and as of 2000, over 3,370,000 pick up trucks have been sold in the United States alone.
When the pickup truck hit the markets of North America, ranchers were the first to accept the vision. Used for feeding animals, hauling lumber/fencing and towing, these ranchers and other westerners gave the pickup a portrayal of freedom and the Old West. Some ranchers began calling the pickup the ‘Cowboy Cadillac’, emphasizing the beloved culture of a useful vehicle. Texans today own fifteen percent of all pickups owned in all of North America. With that, automakers have come out with versions of the pickup truck, known as the ‘Lone Star Edition’ and the ‘Texas Edition’. Even George W. Bush was seen in Crawford Texas driving a white Ford F250 pickup truck while on vacation.
The evolution of this creation has worked into the modern SUV and bigger versions of the pickup truck; for off-roading, heavy hauling and more strenuous tasks. Although, the vision has remained, to date, companies such as Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Nissan, Toyota and Subaru have created versions of their own pick-up truck.
The military has also adapted versions of the pick-up truck for technical use and combat vehicles. Pickup trucks carry soldiers around the world, as well as carrying armor, weaponry and food. Some pickups have even been altered to include machine guns atop them and bullet-proof shielding. Having a machine gun in the front seat is possibly what spurred the term ‘riding shotgun’.
The pickup has several uses, and continues to be a top-seller in the automotive world. Whether used for camping or racing these tough-built vehicles have come a long way since 1933.
Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used car Austin and the surrounding area. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.
Labels: car history, pickup history, pickup truck
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