Fourth-Generation Survivor: A 1963 Ford F-100 That Stayed in One Family

Ford reshaped its F-Series pickups in 1961, kicking off the truck’s fourth generation, a run that would continue through 1966. The early years of that generation carried an unusual integrated body where cab and bed formed a single continuous unit. Buyers made their preferences clear, so Ford abandoned the unibody approach for 1963 and returned to the familiar separate cab-and-bed layout — the configuration seen on this example.

This particular F-100, currently offered for sale in Idaho, has reportedly been with a single family for its entire existence. Its asking price sits at $22,500. For context, Hagerty market data places a good-condition (#3) 1963 F-100 at up to roughly $21,000, while an excellent (#2) truck begins around $25,000 — which puts this one squarely between the two benchmarks.

One of the truck’s more distinctive traits is its stepside bed, also called Flareside, with its narrow cargo box, external rear fenders and side-mounted steps that gave the design its name. It was never the volume seller compared to the conventional Styleside bed, and that relative rarity is part of its appeal for enthusiasts. A modern premium spray-in bedliner has been added, making the truck practical for actual hauling rather than just display duty.

According to the listing, comfort and drivability have both been addressed. The engine was upgraded from the factory 292 to 352 cubic inches, and both the engine and the automatic transmission have been rebuilt. Vintage Air air conditioning, power brakes and power steering are also part of the package, giving the truck conveniences modern drivers take for granted. Areas one might still tweak include the front seat upholstery, whose color doesn’t quite match the rest of the interior, and the audio setup for anyone wanting navigation or a more contemporary stereo.

The odometer shows 5,000 miles, though the ad doesn’t clarify whether that figure dates from the engine rebuild or represents a rollover. The mint green paint draws a lighthearted comparison to mint chocolate chip ice cream — fitting, given the truck’s relaxed, drive-it-to-the-ice-cream-shop character. What would you change, or would you simply buy it and drive?