The 1963 Ford F-100 represents a fascinating transitional year for Ford's fourth-generation light-duty pickup trucks (1961--1966). It is famously caught between two design eras---marked by the controversial, short-lived "Unibody" styling and traditional separate-bed construction.
The most distinct historical feature of the 1963 model year is the "Integrated Styleside" (commonly called the Unibody).
- The Design: Unlike standard trucks where the cab and bed are separate, the Unibody featured a wrap-around sheet metal design where the cab and bed were one continuous piece.
- The Problem: While it offered a slick, sleek silhouette and reduced production costs, it suffered from a major engineering flaw. When the traditional ladder frame flexed under heavy cargo or off-road conditions, the unyielding body would buckle, occasionally causing the doors to jam shut.
- The Pivot: Due to poor public reception and these warping rumors, Ford discontinued the Unibody midway through the 1963 model year. Consequently, late-1963 2WD models reverted to using a separate cab and a carried-over 1957--1960 style bed box.
Ford offered a total production run of approximately 114,479 units of the F-100 in 1963, split across several distinct configurations:
- Styleside (Separate or Unibody): The smooth-sided bed option.
- Flareside: The traditional, rugged stepside bed layout featuring external rear fenders and a wood-lined floor.
- Wheelbases: Available in a short bed (115-inch wheelbase) or a long bed (122-inch wheelbase).
- Aesthetics: The 1963 models are easily recognized by their stacked horizontal bar grille with the turn signals integrated directly into the grille assembly.
From the factory, the 1963 F-100 was a strictly utility-driven machine:
- Base Engine: The standard powertrain was a 223 cubic-inch inline 6-cylinder pushing out roughly 145 horsepower.
- Upgrade Engine: For extra power, buyers could opt for the legendary 292 cubic-inch "Y-Block" V8.
- Transmissions: Most commonly paired with a 3-speed manual column-shifted ("three-on-the-tree") transmission.
- Drivetrain: While most Unibodies were strictly two-wheel drive, factory four-wheel drive (4x4) variants were built exclusively with separate cabs and traditional beds.
Part of the Duncan Imports collection since 2026, this 2 owner truck was owned by the original owner for over 30 years before it was purchased by its second owner in 2024. It was restored in the original 2-tone Blue and White color scheme and both the engine and transmission were rebuilt. New correct whitewall bias ply tires were recently installed .
