The 1962 Stock was built by Metro-Cammell and the BR Workshops in Derby for use on the Central line. Each unit consisted of four vehicles; two outer driving motors (DM), an intermediate trailer (T), and an intermediate non-driving motor (NDM), formed DM T NDM DM. A train usually consisted of two units working in multiple forming an eight-car train. Most 1962 stock units were 4 cars long, although an extra 3-car unit was also ordered; this vehicle lacked an NDM vehicle and was numbered 1751. This unit was ordered specifically for the Aldwych shuttle until it was given a fourth car in 1989 and entered service on the Central Line.

The 1962 Stock was ordered as a matter of urgency to replace the Standard Stock previously used on the Central line. Two fires on Standard Stock units (in 1958 and 1960) resulted in the hospitalisation of dozens of passengers. This experience, plus rapidly increasing numbers of breakdowns, hastened the need to replace these trains (which dated back to the 1920s).