When did Ford stop making the F-100?
Ford ended F-100 production after the 1983 model year in the United States and Canada, as the company's light-duty pickup lineup shifted to the F-150.
The F-100’s lineage stretches back to the early postwar era, when Ford formalized the F-Series family. This article traces the turning point when the F-100 was discontinued, why the change happened, and how the F-Series evolved in North America and beyond.
A timeline of the F-Series naming
The following milestones illustrate the evolution of Ford’s pickup names and when the F-100 ceased to be produced in its core market.
- 1948: Ford launches the F-Series, initially marketed as F-1, F-2, and F-3 light trucks after World War II.
- 1953: The lineup shifts to the F-100, F-250, and F-350 as the standard light-, medium-, and heavy-duty pickups.
- 1975: Ford introduces the F-150 as the new light-duty entry and begins steering the market toward the newer designation, with the F-100 name gradually fading from mainstream sales.
- 1983: In the United States and Canada, Ford discontinues the F-100 (along with the traditional F-250/350 in those markets) as the light-duty line is consolidated under the F-150.
These milestones show the turning point when the F-100 stopped being produced in North America and how Ford reorganized the lineup around the F-150 for the modern era.
Regional variations and legacy
United States and Canada
In the U.S. and Canada, production of the F-100 ended after the 1983 model year. Ford streamlined the light-duty pickup segment under the F-150, which became the default model for the North American market and has remained the staple of the F-Series ever since. The F-100 name did not return as a primary model in these markets.
Other markets
Outside North America, branding varied by country and era. In some regions, the F-100 designation appeared longer in catalogs or dealer inventories, but overall Ford shifted toward the F-Series naming with the F-150 as the standard light-duty option in most markets by the late 20th century.
Summary
The F-100 was effectively retired in North America after the 1983 model year, as Ford consolidated its light-duty lineup under the F-150. The F-100’s legacy lives on in historical model years and in the broader story of the F-Series’ evolution, which today centers on the F-150 as Ford’s long-running flagship light-duty pickup.
