Lot 253 - 1963 Ford F100

The F100 Unibody was part of Ford’s fourth generation of the F-Series which, both lower and wider than the previous generation and returning to two headlights, marked several design changes for the F-Series. Originally intended as the successor for the Styleside, Ford developed an all-new configuration; dubbed the ‘integrated pickup’, Ford welded the cab and body together before their placement on the frame, making the pick-up more similar to a body-on-frame car, such as the Ranchero, than a traditional unitized assembly. It quickly became known as the ‘Unibody”. The company saw the market for pick-up truck buyers expanding from farmers and tradesmen to include suburbanites who needed more versatility than what a station wagon could offer. Those buyers demanded the slickness of post-Atomic Age industrial design, with a carlike ride and refined interior.

Despite Ford’s initial confidence, the Unibody proved to be too far ahead of its time and by late 1963 Ford reverted entirely to the traditional separate cab and bed design for the Styleside bed. Their foresight however was not wasted and the unibody trucks have since shown to be profoundly influential. The Chevrolet Avalanche body-on-frame sport utility truck, introduced as a concept at the 2000 North American International Auto Show, owes no small part of its design to the pioneering Ford.

It’s brief production period makes a superb Unibody specimen like this 1963 ‘short-bed’ a rare find indeed. Undergoing a full restoration in the early 2000’s, it was until recently kept as part of a private collection. Presented in its original iconic Rangoon Red over white, this practical yet stylish pick-up never fails to draw attention. The fully restored interior shows little signs of use and, with a three-speed automatic transmission and beautiful 5.7ltr V8 under the hood, it’s as much of a delight for the driver as for the admirer! Supplied with a V5C registration document. A striking example indeed.

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