You can hardly get a four-wheel brake job for $1,600 these days, and here is an entire truck for that price. It needs work, of course, but what old vehicle doesn’t? This 1968 International 1200C 4×4 pickup can be found here on craigslist in Kalispell, Montana, and they’re asking $1,600 or best offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
Now that’s a bumper! The 1200C is a C-Series 3/4-ton. I’m not sure if this is Aspen Green or a faded, darker green, although the roof looks white. Maybe it was a two-tone, or maybe it was originally Alpine White. Whatever it is, I like it. It’s a bummer about the dented and twisted hood, and I’d want to keep it as original as possible.
There’s no word on whether a tailgate goes with the truck. It may be hard to find, as International parts aren’t exactly like opening up any one of a dozen or more Ford or Chevy catalogs and ordering parts. The great fender-sided pickups were also available in what International called a Bonus-Load bed, which is just their name for a regular pickup bed with smooth sides. Maybe mine this model, please, preferably in 4×4. Although a 1110C would be nice, I’d never need a 3/4-ton truck.
This is the only interior photo. If it wasn’t for the trashed seat, you’d think it was pretty nice inside, and it may be; we just can’t tell from one photo. It looks green inside as well, so I’m assuming this wasn’t a white truck that got a color change at some point. Did they do those things in the pre-reality-TV-show era? The seller says the body is pretty solid, but the floors could use some help.
What a great-looking engine, too bad it’s locked up. I know, a kick right to the gut. I’m not sure what this engine is, but there would have been a standard 266 V8, and also a 304 and 345 available, according to this spec sheet. It looks much nicer in there than I expected. It’s disappointing that this engine may be headed for the scrap pile. There was a floor-shifted 3-speed, 4-speed, and 5-speed available, although I’m not sure which engine/transmission combinations would have meshed in this truck. Is this truck worth saving, or is it in “parts-truck” condition now?
This truck NEEDS to be rescued… I’m looking at that hood and can’t help but wonder if the hood hinges seized and the hood was bent trying to open it? Thank you very much for the great link with the specs Scotty. I have seen International pickups with a 4 speed but I did not know they had TWO different 5 speeds. One with an Overdrive, one a direct 5th gear. GM, Ford, and Dodge I didn’t have that to my knowledge. This truck is begging for a restoration!!! That rear bumper is impressive too!!! That would be something I’d save. The Front bumper, wow, talk about your 5 MPH Impact protection here… Yikes!! I’d keep that too truth be told. Maybe someone can get that original V8 up and running again. You never know. I really would not want to see this become a parts truck. I hope it gets back on the road again. International trucks are very well built.
Just looking again at the spec sheet. Just looking at it, International meant business. Just look at the options, even a hand throttle!!! Its really worth a look, it helps you appreciate just how much International pickups were built to work.
Thanks Scotty. Cool International. I hope it gets restored.
That options list is crazy. One could certainly spec the truck exactly like one wanted. Six transmission choices!! Like Dave says, these trucks were certainly all business.
This shift lever belongs in the Shift Lever Hall Of Fame.
I totally agree about that shift lever Bob. The shift patern is unique too on some of these. I don’t know about this one, but I saw a photo where reverse is to the right, and then up instead of down.
International always thought about the driver, when i had my 56 S120 you could reach the clutch, shift lever, and steering wheel without stretching, now i sometimes drive a 92 Chevy 1500 4wd, I have to stretch to get to the Clutch and then again to reach the shifter, the problem is the steering wheel is so close I have to keep the seat back.
Cool truck! I hope it gets saved. A 392 4-speed in this truck would
be fun, but VERY thirsty. I know
this because my folks had a 1010
Travelall wagon in the ’70s. Ours
had 2 fuel tanks and needed ’em
both. And torque? Enough to pull a house down! Brother, what
a beast it was too. Dad didn’t keep it very long after it started
eating us out of house and home!
Ken,
I can confirm the “thirsty” 392!
Installed one in my ‘74 Scout, even with the standard shift averages about 8-10 mpg
But I don’t care!
lol
It’s my AZ Desert beast
Btw
Installed the 33 gallon steel tank so my distance travelled is extended greatly over the stock 19…
I have always found it amusing when people go out and buy full size crew cab 4X4s and complain about 15 MPG. I used to drive my dads trucks for work and I don’t remember any of them getting more than 8-10 MPG, with 18 gallon tanks. They were always filling up every other day.
Going out on a limb, ( pun intended) I’d say this was some kind of forestry truck, equipped the way it is, and someone got in and out of the passenger seat a million times while somebody drove. Green wasn’t overly popular, and that back bumper is usually associated with some kind of municipal service. Parts is about it, way too expensive to restore, but a lot of that stuff is unavailable now, and a great find.
Now, about that Diamond T( or Federal) 2 cars over,,,,
That’s what grandkids are for, get out and open the gate!
Or, another explanation told:
The REAL reason most cowboy hats are turned up on the edges?
So you can get three across the seat in a pickup.
And you’ll know the smart ones when you see ‘em, they’re the ones in the middle-they don’t have to drive or get out to open and close the gate.
Would love to bring this truck back to life.
I’d bet 100 bucks this is a forest service truck. I have the original Forrest service that was issued out originally to Aspen, Colorado my 1964 1200 series International same stepside bed with the baby V-8 motor
Mine has 62000 miles and it’s a 1964. It’s so cool.😎
Good luck with the auction
Just speculation, but based on videos I have watched about guys rescuing long abandoned vehicles; with some skillful persuasion and the application of magic elixirs locked engines can be “unlocked”. Of course I’m just like an armchair quarterback. I haven’t personally done it. But just supposing that you could free this engine up then you would have a fighting chance for this old beast to become mobile again. I hope someone succeeds in this regard. Like Scotty said, $1,600/OBO is practically couch cushion change these days. So if I were in position to do so I’d roll the dice on this one. But I’m too old and too far away. GLWTS.
It had to be a Forest Service truck. Color and specs tell me that. I didn’t see the gear ratio, but to had to be VERY low geared. Top speed probably around 45-50 mph, but as they used to say, “It could pull the bottom out of a lake”. I would rebuild it if at all possible.
Sold one just like this to a fellow from Iowa I think. It sets on a modern Ford 4×4 chassis now.
What a beast. This doesn’t need to be restored to factory perfection. Any International V8 would look perfectly at home under the hood if needed. The engines outlasted the bodies so they’re still around. I’d say straighten out all that’s bent but this one wears its scars well.
Those style rear bumpers were on almost every other pickup here in Montana, but they actually sucked as they wrecked the rear fenders if they got hit in the back corner.
where’s Freiberger?