Texas Truck LbNA #52413

The F-Series is a series of full size pickup trucks from Ford Motor Company sold for over five decades. The most popular variant of the F-Series is the F-150. It was the best selling vehicle in the United States for 23 years and has been the best-selling truck for 33 years, though this does not include combined sales of General Motors pickup trucks. From it's inception, the Ford F-Series pickup has been the best selling vehicle in Texas, and remains so to this day. You might say it’s the Truck of Texas. Analysts estimate that the F-Series alone has made up half of the Ford Motor Company's profits in recent years. The first F-Series Ford pickup, which I am highlighting in this letterbox, and which was known as the Ford Bonus-Built, was introduced in 1948, replacing the company's previous car-based pickup line. The war effort severely taxed Ford Motor Company and the F-1 was their first new vehicle model after the war. The “Pickup” had come of age. It’s popularity might have saved the company from going under. It was a modern-looking truck with a flat, one-piece windshield and integrated headlights. Options were the "See-Clear" windshield washer (operated by foot plunger), passenger side windshield wiper & sun visor, and passenger side taillight. The F-1 truck was also available with additional chrome and two horns as an option. Design of the F-Series truck changed little from 1948 to 1952. From 1948–1950, the grill was a series of horizontal bars and the headlights were set into the fenders. For 1951 and 1952, the headlights were connected by a wide aerodynamic cross piece with three similarly aerodynamic supports. The rear window was wider in the later trucks and the dashboard was redesigned. F-series trucks were built at sixteen different Ford plants.

Directions:
This letterbox is located at the Guadlupe County Safety Rest Stop (Westbound) on Interstate 10 between Luling and Seguin, Texas. This is one of those great new rest stops that the Texas Highway Department has been building for the last few years. It has landscaped gardens and a huge playground for the kids, free wi-fi and a nature trail.

To the box:
The nature trail is behind the visitors center building and is clearly marked. Take the trail to the first trail junction and bear right. At the tee, go right again for 65-70 steps. Off the trail to your right, about 20 steps, you should see a short stump with a small log lying next to it. The box is on the ground between the log and a smaller limb under sticks and rocks. Please replace it so that it can't accidentally be seen. Thanks!