The Styleside bed was introduced in 1957 as Ford’s modern alternative to the traditional stepside design. Its defining feature is smooth, flat exterior side panels that sit flush with the cab, creating a clean and unified profile. This design maximized bed width and interior cargo space compared to the older flareside configuration.
When introduced on the third-generation F-100 (1957-1960), the Styleside was offered alongside the traditional Flareside. Buyers quickly gravitated toward the Styleside for its cleaner look and greater utility, and it became the dominant choice by the 1960s. From the Bumpside generation (1967-1972) onward, the Styleside was the standard bed, with the Flareside becoming a special-order option.
For restorers and builders, Styleside beds are more commonly available in salvage yards and from parts suppliers. The smooth sides also provide a better canvas for custom paint and bodywork. Rust is the primary concern, particularly along the lower edges of the bed sides and the floor. Replacement bed panels, floors, and complete bed assemblies are available from reproduction parts manufacturers for most F-100 generations.