1962

The 1962 Ford F-100 entered its second year of the fourth generation with only modest changes, as Ford allowed its comprehensive 1961 redesign to settle into the marketplace. Both the unibody Styleside and the conventional body-on-frame configurations returned, giving buyers a choice that no other manufacturer offered.

Exterior changes were limited to detail-level updates. The grille received a revised insert pattern, and minor trim adjustments helped distinguish the 1962 model from its predecessor. The overall design remained the same clean, modern look that had debuted for 1961, with its expanded glass area and restrained styling. Single headlights continued, and the Styleside and Flareside body options both returned unchanged in their fundamental configurations.

The powertrain lineup carried over intact. The 223 cubic-inch Mileage Maker Six remained the standard engine at 137 horsepower, continuing its reputation for dependability and fuel economy. The 292 Y-block V8 provided 186 horsepower for buyers who needed more capability, while the 352 FE V8 delivered 215 horsepower at the top of the range. Transmission options were unchanged from 1961, with the 3-speed manual as standard equipment, a 4-speed manual available for heavy-duty applications, and the Ford-O-Matic automatic for those who preferred it.

Inside the cab, the 1962 F-100 received minor improvements. The instrument cluster and controls carried over from 1961, but Ford refined some of the interior fittings based on early feedback from the redesigned cab. The Custom Cab package continued as the premium trim option, adding comfort-oriented features that distinguished it from the base work truck interior.

The unibody construction remained available but was beginning to generate mixed reviews in the field. While the integrated design delivered a noticeably smoother ride and reduced interior noise, real-world experience was revealing its drawbacks. Trucks used for heavy hauling showed stress cracks where the bed met the cab, and collision damage that would have been a simple bed swap on a conventional truck became a major structural repair on a unibody. Ford was paying attention to these complaints, and the unibody’s days were already numbered.

Production climbed to approximately 104,740 units for 1962, an improvement over the first year of the generation. The increase reflected both a strengthening economy and growing buyer acceptance of the fourth-generation design, even as questions about the unibody persisted.

The 1962 F-100 occupies a quiet spot in the model’s history, a year of consolidation between the excitement of the 1961 redesign and the significant changes that lay ahead. For collectors, the 1962 unibody models carry the same rarity appeal as the 1961s, while conventional-chassis trucks from this year offer a solid and straightforward restoration platform with readily available parts.