In 1961, Ford updated its popular F-Series pickup trucks, marking the truck’s fourth generation, which lasted until 1966. After the first two years, Ford ended the integrated unibody style in 1963, when the cab and bed were one continuous piece, because consumers preferred traditional separate beds like this one. According to Hagerty market data, a 1963 F-100 in good condition (#3) goes for up to $21K, and in excellent condition (#2) starts at $25K. This one on Craigslist in Eagle, Idaho sits in between at $22.5K and has been in one family its whole life. Thanks to Curvette for sending this tip in!
The stepside (also known as Flareside) bed, which features a classic narrow cargo bed with outside rear fenders and side-mounted steps (thus the name), might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I like them as they are not as common as the traditional Styleside pickup bed, and you can add stacks if you want it to look more truck-like, such as a Dodge Li’l Red Express. This one also has a newer premium spray-in bedliner if you want to use it for hauling.
It appears to have several upgrades for comfort and usability. The automatic transmission and engine, upgraded to 352 cubic inches from the stock 292, have both been rebuilt. It also has a Custom Vintage air conditioning system, power brakes, and power steering, so you have all the comforts of a modern ride. The only changes I would make are to the front seat upholstery, since the color doesn’t match the rest of the truck, and I would add either a vintage-style radio or a touchscreen panel with GPS for more modern convenience.
The mileage stated in the ad is 5,000, but there is no explanation if that is from when the engine was rebuilt or if it’s rolled over one or more times. In my opinion, I would rather drive around in this truck than a new Raptor that costs multiples of the price for this ride. The mint green paint reminds me of mint chocolate chip ice cream, and I can just picture driving this to the local ice cream shop for a cone. What about you? Would you make any other changes to this truck, or would you just buy it and go?
It’s my understanding that Ford did not have a styleside bed ready for 1963, so instead they used the styleside beds of the 1957 model. It does look kinda funky.
After the unibody debacle, it’s known as the “wrong bed”
Are you THE Matt Landfield? As in Dick Landfield’s son?
I’d like to also welcome David to the group, with all these sharp new writers, a know nothing know-it-all like me can’t add much. By the “touch-screen” panel, it shows the age, and I think it’s great. We need more views from younger folks.
This truck was properly updated while staying as close to the original. No, David, no info screens, and “GPS” was years away, paper maps were the rule, oh the horrors we must have endured,,,and nothing mentioned if the steering was updated. Twin I beam, a funky replacement to the straight axle, came out in ’65, so might want to be ready for that. Bump steer? What’s that, gramps? Still, a nice truck, and another one family? Pretty clear we have a front row seat to what’s happening.
It looks like everything is done. All there is to do now, is drive it !
Guess I don’t understand the reasoning for the spray in bed liner, shouldn’t this have the wood bed?
clean rig. quite the repair on that upper hose.
Very nice David and Curvette. Gorgeous classic colors, love two tones. This truck looks to be well done and I bet it gets a lot of attention,
Welcome David!! Hopefully you are another truck nut like Howard and I.. I have always liked this cab style, especially on the F and N models. I know some of the readers will cry, BUT I like that 8 foot body. Makes this truck look sized proportionally better.. I think this truck is a great buy as the powertrain has been upgraded to more modern. BUT forget the Touch screen GPS and other modern stuff. Rand McNally and I put on over 5 million miles without getting too confused over the past 60 years.
I like everything about it except the color. These trucks deserve a bright red with a white roof, or a darker green with a white roof. This is just too bright. Beautiful example, though.
Welcome David! I also spy a tilt column in this rig and I’m not certain that’s the stock bed surface either. It likely would’ve been ribbed.
It should be a wood bed, they didn’t make metal ones until 1973
The floor of the bed that is.
Was carpet a factory option?