1961 Ford Unibody Pickup
Ford’s innovations have brought us some truly exceptional vehicles and automotive technology. But not every idea is without its flaws. The unibody pickup design unveiled in 1961 for Ford’s F-Series was such an idea. The most obvious sign of its failure is how few years it was designed for.
Ford’s unibody trucks were only available from 1961-1963, and only on Ford’s F-Series “styleside” pickups. The idea was to make the cab and the bed one long continuous piece. Even though they’re referred to colloquially as unibody trucks, it’s a bit of a misnomer. The chassis and body of the car are still separate, there’s just no gap between the cab and the bed of the truck. Ford marketed these as “unitized” which is more accurate.
Today’s 1961 Ford Unibody “Integrated Pickup” represents one of Ford’s attempts at making an innovative and forward-thinking truck. What was new and different about the truck was its integrated bed and cab, which eliminated the wasted space between the traditional box and body, allowing for what Ford would claim was 16 percent greater bed space in the same footprint as the separate-unit body style and custom cab.
Engine: 1989 Ford 292ci V-8 160 hp
Heads: stock
Valve covers: stock
Manifold / Induction: Edelbrock Performer / Edelbrock Performer 500 cfm
Ignition: GM HEI converted
Headers: stock exhaust manifolds
Exhaust / Mufflers: 2 1/2-inch steel with Magnaflow mufflers
Transmission: Ford AOD
Shifter: column-style
Dashboard: stock, chromed gauge insert
Gauges: stock and Daytona “retro”
Air conditioning: Hot Rod Air
Stereo: Pioneer
Steering wheel: Billet Specialties
Steering column: Billet Specialties tilt
Seats: Glide Engineering
Material / Color: vinyl / Oyster
Carpet: light gray pile
Make no mistake, this 1961 Ford Unibody Pickup is a riot of a truck. But a research and development vehicle? That’s the truth, that’s what the Ford is earmarked for. As for what products will come out of the truck’s contributions to Holley’s R&D program, you will just have to be patient and wait a bit. It isn’t like we aren’t enjoying the Ford Unibody Pickup the way it is at the moment.
