pickup

[tomkline]

How did the term "pickup" come about.

[C26Pinelake]

Likely because you have lots of room to pick up stuff. I am sure there is no scientific explanation ( lol ) !
Wayne

[CarlG]

The first factory-assembled pickup was based on the Ford Model T car, with a modified rear body. It debuted in 1925 and sold for US$281. Henry Ford billed it as the "Ford Model T Runabout with Pickup Body."

Probably where the term came from.

[DougVieyra]

There may not be a 'scientific explanation' (post #2), but there IS a socialogical explaition:

When rural famers in Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, etc. took their truck to town, looking for girls to 'pick up' , the name of the 'pick up' vehicle evolved into 'Pick-up' truck, then finally down to just 'Pick-up'.

- Ewel Gibbons, Lake Woebegone, Minn.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by DougVieyra

There may not be a 'scientific explanation' (post #2), but there IS a socialogical explaition:

When rural famers in Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, etc. took their truck to town, looking for girls to 'pick up' , the name of the 'pick up' vehicle evolved into 'Pick-up' truck, then finally down to just 'Pick-up'.

- Ewel Gibbons, Lake Woebegone, Minn.

In short, it was coined by a HOOKER! But they don't do COINS, GREENBACKS are the medium of choice. ANYHOW, that's what I've been told.
Bill W.

[Dennis Haag]

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It has been said that in the model T days when a customer wanted a truck box on their T (which was crated in a BOX) The Ford Dealer was told to go PICKUP the BOX.

[C26Pinelake]

[/B]

Originally Posted by DougVieyra

There may not be a 'scientific explanation' (post #2), but there IS a socialogical explaition:

When rural famers in Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, etc. took their truck to town, looking for girls to 'pick up' , the name of the 'pick up' vehicle evolved into 'Pick-up' truck, then finally down to just 'Pick-up'.

- Ewel Gibbons, Lake Woebegone, Minn.

Likely not true Doug but your brain is still active !
Wayne

[Fullraceflathead]

Originally Posted by Dennis Haag

It has been said that in the model T days when a customer wanted a truck box on their T (which was crated in a BOX) The Ford Dealer was told to go PICKUP the BOX.

That's what I was told also by a 65 year old friend.

[Mike V. Florida]

My guess is that the pickup truck is called that because it was designed for carrying goods in small quantities over short journeys. You'd take the truck to pick up the goods at various locations and deliver them to various locations. Being an open back it was easy to pick up load and unload items as opposed to a truck that would hold a lot more goods and transport them long distances.

You opinions my vary.

[Neil Wilson]

So, any ideas on where the term "express" body came from? The AA express body (through 1930) is basically a big brother to the A pickup body.

I don't think these body type names were necessarily initiated by Ford. Anyone know? The model T had both the "pickup" and "express" body types.

[John S]

Maybe the AA express term came from the Railway Express Agency using that body style.

[whirnot]

It looks like Dodge and Chevy both beat Henry in the introduction of pickups, although theirs used beds from outside sources:
http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/history/history.html

[1932BB]

I'm with Doug! Lets hear form some Canadians!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Neil Wilson

So, any ideas on where the term "express" body came from? The AA express body (through 1930) is basically a big brother to the A pickup body.

I don't think these body type names were necessarily initiated by Ford. Anyone know? The model T had both the "pickup" and "express" body types.

There are books introducing the new Fords, kind of what I call "Salesman Albums". I know they sell for a lot of money, but I wonder if they have "express" listed in that book?

[dave in australia]

They're still not known as pick-up's down here. We call them utes, which is short for utility vehicle.

[ronn]

My great grandfather coined the phrase "pickup" and it caught on like wildfire!
Unfortunately, Les Paul stole the term for the electric guitar and life hasnt been the same since.............

You aint nothin but a hound dog........................!

[rocket1]

They are actually called pickum up trucks,drove one in highschool,did very well!

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by rocket1

They are actually called pickum-up trucks,...

That's what my 95 year old Dad still calls them.

[Brian T]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

There are books introducing the new Fords, kind of what I call "Salesman Albums". I know they sell for a lot of money, but I wonder if they have "express" listed in that book?

Hello Tom,
My son found one of the salesman books at a swap meet for the 32 model years, sadly with many pages missing although the commercial pages seem complete, page 53 shows that it calls the 32 a heavy duty express body, has a taller cargo bed than the earlier years.