1947 International Truck

Description

Today, if you're looking for something a little different from the usual Ford and Chevy pickups, this 1947 International KB-1 should fit the bill. It's beautifully restored to show standards and really stands out in an increasingly crowded field.

This handsome pickup has been treated to a recent frame-on restoration that gives it the perfect blend of good looks, refreshed cosmetics, and do-anything functionality. In short, you can take this one to Home Depot on Saturday to do your hauling and still have fun at the car show on Sunday. Hunter Green paint looks great on the curvy sheetmetal, and thanks to a recent color sand and buff, has a fantastic shine. With a barrel-shaped grille, it stands out from the usual brands, and it generates a lot of attention simply by virtue of its uniqueness. International pioneered the use of an all-steel bed, which has been covered in diamond plate for durability, and sitting on a 125-inch wheelbase, it carries an 8-foot bed so you can carry the big stuff with ease. The chrome trim, ranging from the excellent hood ornament to the door handles to the accessory front bumper, is in great condition, too.

The interior is working-class simple, but that's part of the appeal of old pickups. The green vinyl bench seat was replaced during the recent freshening and still looks like new, the floors are fitted with a reproduction rubber mat, and the simple door panels are painted to match the body. The steering wheel wears a green wrap that makes it a bit easier to grab and hold and really dresses things up inside. The gauges are original and they are in surprisingly good condition, with secondary controls clustered in the center of the painted steel dash. For ventilation there's a crank-open windshield as well as an under-dash heater.

Power for all KB-series pickups came from International's bulletproof 214 cubic inch inline-six, known as the "Green Diamond." With 82 horsepower and 160 pounds of torque, it was competitive with the trucks from the other guys, but where it really shines is durability. The engine bay wears fresh green paint on the engine, a correct single-barrel carburetor, and quite a few new components, including fresh tune-up gear, an air filter, and belts and hoses. Checking the block and the firewall data plate indicates that this is indeed the truck's original, matching-numbers engine and it runs superbly. It starts easily with just a little choke, and has a wonderful commercial-grade grumble from the exhaust system, which is new. A 4-speed manual gearbox was intended for tough conditions, and first gear is probably superfluous today, as it pulls away smartly in second and fourth is direct drive, so it can cruise happily at 50 MPH. The chassis is extremely clean with no signs of rust or previous accident damage, so if you're looking for a truck with a clean history, you won't find many nicer than this. The recently serviced hydraulic brakes are reasonably good for a vehicle of this vintage, and the original 16-inch steel wheels have been painted black, fitted with "dog dish" hubcaps, and a set of authentic-looking Michelin radials.

A cool old truck that looks exactly right as-is, or could be the foundation of something truly unique. Reliable, fun, and practical, this International will cause a stir wherever it goes simply by virtue of its rarity; when was the last time you saw one? Call today!