Bumpside and Dentside: two terms that stand out among classic truck enthusiasts. These nicknames refer to distinct body styles of Ford truck generations from the late 1960s through the 1970s, each representing a pivotal chapter in the history of classic Ford F-Series trucks in terms of design and functionality. And these two generations of the venerable F-Series are the most desirable among vintage Ford trucks.
Whether you’re a newcomer to the world of classic trucks or a seasoned collector, understanding the history and unique features of Dentside and Bumpside Ford trucks offers a glimpse into an era where craftsmanship and innovation defined the American automotive landscape. Keep reading to explore the differences and unique appeal of these classic Ford trucks.
Bumpside Ford Truck
Up close look at the “bump” on a Bumpside Ford truck.
The Bumpside Ford design identifies the fifth-generation F-Series, which spanned from 1967 through 1972, and its nickname comes from the protruding crease that runs along the truck’s beltline, starting at the front fender and extending to the rear. This body style is used for the Velocity Ford F-100 and the Velocity Ford F-250. In addition to the convex metal work along the sides of the body, the unique grille design, with incorporated headlights and turn signals, also adds to the desirable appearance of this classic Ford truck (especially on the earlier fifth-gen model years).
Of all the Ford truck generations, the Bumpside Ford represents the most significant shift in the truck market, helping pickups become mainstream vehicles rather than just used as work and farm vehicles. Thanks to the innovative twin I-beam front suspension (introduced on the previous generation in 1965), Ford marketing promised that the F-Series “works like a truck, rides like a car,” and six available engines also helped broaden the truck’s attraction to consumers.
Original brochure cover for the Bumpside Ford from 1967.
Original brochure cover for the Dentside Ford from 1973.
Dentside Ford Truck
Up close look at the “dent” on a Dentside Ford truck.
In 1973, Ford introduced the sixth-generation F-Series, which took an opposite design approach replacing the convex beltline with a concave shape, thus creating the Dentside body style. This recess in the body runs from the leading edge of the front fender back to the rear marker lights, and there’s even an indentation in the grille accentuating the design element. The Dentside Ford has a slightly more rounded front end, and overall, this truck has cleaner lines, including the hood cutline that matches the fender crease. This body design was also used on the short-lived, second-generation Ford Bronco.
This generation saw improvements to interior comfort and design, with more attention to the driver and passenger amenities. Furthermore, three available body configurations (standard, extended SuperCab, and four-door SuperCrew) and the addition of the F-150 in 1975 made the truck even more desirable to consumers, allowing the Ford F-Series to stand as America’s best-selling truck from 1977 through today. The Dentside Ford F-Series ended production in 1979, being replaced by the sleeker, boxier 1980 F-Series body style.
Which Classic Ford Truck Is Better: Bumpside or Dentside?
As always, deciding which of these classic Ford trucks is better depends on your preferences. The 1967 to 1972 Bumpside body style has a sleeker design language from the muscle car era, making it more popular among customizers and restomod builders. That being said, the 1973-1979 trucks had better corrosion resistance from the factory, which means more of these are likely to have survived today as collector trucks.
Both generations were produced in high numbers, so it’s generally easy to find an example of these classic Ford trucks for sale whether you’re looking for a project or a fully built restomod. Standard cab trucks are the most common, while the extended cab and crew cab body styles are much rarer, meaning these tend to be more valuable to collectors.
This Boxwood Green Velocity 1969 Ford F-250 is an excellent example of a Bumpside Ford restomod.
Velocity and the Classic Ford Truck
After specializing in Ford Bronco restorations, Velocity expanded its lineup in 2023 to include two distinct versions of the classic Ford F-Series truck: the Velocity Ford F-100 street truck and the rugged Velocity Ford F-250. Both of these Velocity builds retain the iconic Bumpside design but add a modernized interior and advanced foundation, including the Roadster Shop chassis and Ford’s Gen III 5.0L Coyote V8. Even better, if you’re looking for a solid, modernized foundation for your Bumpside Ford project, Velocity has the classic Ford truck parts you need with rolling chassis options.