1960 F-100 Custom Cab

By Dick Rozum

1960 F-100 Custom Cab

Back in 1960, a car was a car and a truck was a truck. In 1960 people bought cars to transport their families, and when work needed to be done, a truck was in order. Pickup trucks back in 1960 were built to work. Built to serve farmers, businesses, and independent workers as inexpensively as possible while still getting the job done. They were built tough, solid and functional.

The F-Series body style seen here was first introduced as an all-new truck for 1957. This body style was certainly a revolutionary period for Ford trucks. The 1957 F100 was the first pickup to standardize the Styleside box, and in 1959 Ford offered its first factory designed 4-wheel drive system. Over a period of four years, the F-Series Light Duties were refined and the end result is what we have here.

1960 F-100 Custom Cab

If you were buying a Ford pickup in 1960 you could choose from three models; F100, F250 and F350. Each came in two body styles; Styleside and Flareside. Two trim levels were offered Ð the Standard Cab and the Custom Cab. As far as power, you could choose from the 139 horsepower 223 Six or the 172 Horsepower 292 V8. F100 buyers could choose from a 3-speed manual, Medium Duty 3-speed manual, and 4-speed manual or Ford-O-Matic transmission. Overdrive was also offered on F100 models. Four-wheel drive was available on F100s and F250s for the worker who needed to "go anywhere."

Ford advertised the F-series trucks as having "Brilliant performance and certified economy for '60." The Ford sales brochure states "1960 Ford trucks, with economy features certified in tests by America's foremost independent automotive research organization, offer greater value for your hauling dollar than ever before."

1960 F-100 Custom Cab

This beautiful example of a 1960 F100 belongs to Ken Anderson from sunny California. Ken found this truck at Birch Ford in LaHabra, California while looking for his first vehicle at the age of 14. He is only the 3rd owner of this truck and it has resided in California all of its life. Ken has certainly done a beautiful job of returning it back to its original glory. Some of the challenges encountered during the restoration were finding the original style '57-'60 hubcaps, radio antenna, and wrap around rear glass.

The top-of-the-line engine option for the 1960 F100 was the 172 horsepower 292 V8 which provided 270 lbs-ft of torque at 2000-2600 rpm. A 3.89 axle ratio along with a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive makes this truck a real performer.

1960 F-100 Custom Cab

Ken's truck is a rare sight indeed. While many F series trucks sold back in the 50's and 60's were equipped with few options, this F100 is loaded with equipment. Yes, this is what a fully equipped Ford pickup was like in 1960.

This F100 certainly turns heads wherever it goes with the attractive Monte Carlo Red over Corinthian White two-tone combination that Ken chose to paint his truck. Originally this F100 was Goldenrod yellow and Corinthian White. Dressed up with the optional chrome front bumper, painted rear step bumper, chrome hub caps and trim rings, WSW tires and Custom cab trim, this pickup is about as classy as a 1960 pickup gets.

1960 F-100 Custom Cab

Step inside and you'll notice the Custom Cab equipment consisting of striped woven nylon-saran upholstery with gray vinyl bolster and seat facings, handsome two-tone instrument panel, chrome trimmed instrument cluster, white steering wheel with attractive chrome horn ring, foam rubber in seat cushion and back, attractive two-tone door paint treatment, left door arm rest, sound deadener on floor and rear cab panel and insulation on firewall, right side sunvisor, illuminated cigar-cigarette lighter, bright-metal grille and headlight assembly, bright-metal windshield reveal molding, matched locks on both doors and of course the "Custom Cab" emblem on both doors. The Custom Cab feature was the only optional trim level available for the F-series trucks in 1960.

1960 F-100 Custom Cab

This F100 is also equipped with many of the other "luxury" options of the day such as master Guide Power Steering, AM radio, MagicAire heater and defroster, and turn signals.

1960 F-100 Custom Cab

Most of tehse trucks were not babied or treated with tender loving care. These rigs worked and worked hard. They worked until they were used up and most of them were then destined for the salvage yard or parked in the trees to rot away. This is one of the reasons that clean original condition classic pickups are so hard to find.

Trucks like Ken's F100 are certainly a welcome sight wherever you see them, rugged, reliable and ready to work. I have a feeling that this lucky truck is pretty much retired to the life of luxury now, as it should be after a lifetime of faithful duty.

Complete article now available in issue #6 of Legendary Ford Magazine

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1960 F-100 Custom Cab

1960 F-100 Custom Cab

1960 F-100 Custom Cab

1960 F-100 Custom Cab

Note: SuperMotors has a business affiliation with Legendary Ford Magazine, which provides Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury articles and content to SuperMotors.

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