Who Made the Very First Pickup Truck?

Pickup trucks are an integral part of American culture and have been around since the dawn of the 20th century. The story of who made the very first pickup truck is somewhat disputed, but there are a few different contenders for the title.

The first pickup truck to be mass produced was built by Ford in 1925. The Ford Model T Runabout featured an open-bed style that allowed it to be used for hauling goods and materials.

It was powered by a four-cylinder engine and had a top speed of 45 miles per hour. Ford sold over 250,000 of these trucks before production ended in 1927.

The Chevrolet Model 490 is generally considered to be the oldest surviving pickup truck in existence. It was introduced in 1918 and had a closed cab design with two doors and a tailgate.

It was powered by a four-cylinder engine and had a top speed of 45 miles per hour as well. While it wasn’t as popular as the Ford Model T Runabout, it was still produced until 1924 when it was replaced by the more modern Chevrolet Series 490 Light Delivery Truck.

The Dodge Brothers introduced their first pickup truck in 1924 with their Model 30/35 series. It featured an open-bed design like the Ford Model T Runabout, but also included an enclosed cab for passengers. This model was powered by a six-cylinder engine and had a top speed of 60 miles per hour, making it much faster than its competitors at the time.

Conclusion

While there is some dispute about who made the very first pickup truck, it is generally accepted that Ford’s 1925 Model T Runabout holds that honor. The Chevrolet Model 490 may be the oldest surviving pickup truck in existence, but it wasn’t as popular or as advanced as Ford’s offering at the time. The Dodge Brothers also joined the fray with their own model in 1924, which featured an enclosed cab for passengers and a faster engine than its competitors at that time.

Photo of author

Karen Watkins