1960

The 1960 Ford F-100 marked the final year of the third generation, closing out a design cycle that had transformed Ford’s half-ton pickup from a utilitarian work truck into a vehicle with broad appeal. While the 1960 model carried forward the same basic cab and body that debuted in 1957, Ford made meaningful updates under the hood and to the truck’s exterior appearance to keep it competitive in its last year before a complete redesign.

The most significant mechanical change was the introduction of the 352 cubic-inch FE V8, which replaced the 332 FE that had been available since 1958. Despite the increase in displacement, the 352 was tuned conservatively for truck duty at 215 horsepower, prioritizing low-end torque and durability over peak power. The 352 FE would go on to become one of the most enduring engines in Ford’s truck lineup, serving well into the 1960s. The 223 cubic-inch Mileage Maker Six continued as the base engine at 139 horsepower, and the 292 cubic-inch Y-block V8 remained the mid-range choice at 212 horsepower. This was the last year for the Y-block in the F-100, as Ford was transitioning fully to the FE engine family.

Exterior styling received another round of updates. The grille was revised with a cleaner design, and trim details were refreshed to give the truck a final-year distinction. The quad headlights introduced in 1958 continued, and the overall proportions remained the same. The Styleside bed, which had become the dominant configuration since its 1957 introduction, continued alongside the Flareside. Both the standard cab and the upmarket Custom Cab option were available, with the Custom Cab offering improved insulation, upgraded upholstery, and additional chrome trim.

Transmission options carried over unchanged. The 3-speed manual remained standard, with the 4-speed manual available for heavy-duty applications and the Ford-O-Matic automatic for those who wanted it. The 118-inch wheelbase and fundamental chassis architecture were the same as they had been since 1957, providing a stable and predictable platform.

Production for 1960 reached approximately 105,568 units, a strong showing that reflected the truck’s enduring popularity even at the end of its generation. The economic recovery that had begun in 1959 continued, and the F-100 benefited from a growing market for personal-use pickups alongside its traditional commercial buyer base.

The 1960 F-100 stands as both an ending and a beginning. It was the last truck to carry the third-generation body style that had defined the late 1950s, with its wide cab, hooded headlights, and the Styleside bed that changed how Americans thought about pickup trucks. At the same time, the lessons Ford learned during the 1957-1960 production run — about the importance of comfort, styling, and powertrain choice — directly informed the fourth-generation redesign that arrived for 1961. For collectors today, the 1960 model offers the most refined version of the third-generation design, with the added appeal of the 352 FE V8 that would power Ford trucks for years to come.