As a lifelong resident of the Great Lake State of Michigan, I’ve had access to some of the greatest museums in America, including the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. When I was a teenager, I recall looking into the “face” of a 1939 Dodge Airflow Tank Truck and feeling a vague uneasiness: the feeling that something was slipping through our fingers. As I got older and educated myself in 20th-century history, I realized that that “something” was style. The truck standing in front of me a few decades ago (it’s still there, by the way) was a product of a golden age of industrial design; after all, there’s no need for a tanker truck to be beautiful, but it was, and is. So is this 1947 International Tank KB-10 Tanker. Brought to us by longtime Barn Finds reader Howard A, it has been fully restored, and it’s being offered here on Marketplace in Richfield, Utah, for $33,000.
International Harvester was obviously a perennial staple in the heavy truck and tractor business. Although most people think “diesel” when they think of big trucks, it wasn’t at all uncommon to see a big gas engine thrumming away under the hood; in this case, it’s International’s 401-cubic-inch “Red Diamond” six, which produced 140 horsepower and (more importantly) 310 lb.-ft. of torque. (Side question: How did International get away with calling its engines “Red Diamond,” when a gleaming red Diamond T was another staple of the trucking industry?) The Red Diamond six was used clear into the 1970s, so I’d say it was a good engine.
The KB-10 had a GVWR of up to 29,250 pounds, so it’s no surprise that this one appears to have air brakes.
It’s easy to romanticize the old days of trucking. The thought of a trucker driving through the night on a two-lane road, delivering fuel oil to some small town, evokes a certain peaceful nostalgia; however, that’s not really rooted in reality. Think about it, someone had to muscle this rough-riding tanker down city streets for thousands of miles a month, and less thought was almost certainly given to driver comfort than it was to styling. The transmission is a five-speed, and as usual, there were many options when it came to rear-end gearing. The tallest began with “6,” so you know that the drive would be a slow, noisy one. Luckily, the new buyer can park it when they get tired, a luxury not afforded to the truckers of the old days.
The only thing missing from this tanker truck is a brand name on the tank itself. While I have a thing for “Sinclair” oil memorabilia, that would require a completely new paint job, something nobody’s going to do with a shiny $33,000 truck. “Richfield Oil” would be appropriate based on the name of the city where the truck is located, but the colors don’t match that either. It’s up to the new buyer for sure…what would you paint on the side of this stylish piece of American industrial design?
P.S. Here’s a neat video of a 1949 KB-10 in action.
:0 !!! And here I was just about to go back to bed,,,thanks Aaron, you don’t have to write up the toilet I submitted,,,as a joke,,ha, ha,,oh sure, now it’s a joke,,,ha, ha,, well the staff must have thought so, I’m still here,,
Naturally, the video was pretty cool, I’ve repeated that scenario a thousand times, and a new day was always refreshing, it’s why I did it for 35 years, regardless of what might have happened the previous day. The KB line was the replacement for K series, and while there was no “K9”, because IH thought it would be a “dog”, there was a KB9, but no KB13, because of superstition. The KB14 I think was the biggest. The KB 10 was the bottom of the HD models. To be clear, someone did an outstanding job on a truck that likely had little use. It’s very possible, this truck never left an airport or fueling facility and has no road use. The author is spot on, in a rural setting, the fuel truck driver was considered a God. Without them, it was 1899 all over again. Generally, these had several compartments, for different products. The side compartments often carried small containers of oil or a/f. If just one big one, probably just for one type of fuel. While our fuel consumption in 1947 isn’t what it is today( 376 million gallons/day) it was still close to 4 million and these, and their drivers, were the unsung heroes that made it happen. This also has a 2 speed rear axle, and with 140 HP, it was surely used. Always loved a 4 spoke steering wheel.
Always had a deep respect for “suicide jockeys”, why I myself hauled 1( one) load of gas in my life, squeezing the color out of the steering wheel, I was, and figured, it wasn’t for me. I know, I kvetch incessantly about the gall of someone asking $75 grand for a mere Mustang, when there is this even less useful for half the price, is somehow more justified in my eyes. When you figure out why that is, let me know, eh? Thanks Aaron, I was hoping someone would pick this up. Careful what you wish for, huh? Beautiful truck and you old gear jammers or wannabes, please let the staff know how much we enjoy these posts, we don’t have a lot in our lives except our memories. Thanks again Aaron, made my day, doesn’t take much.
Was this the same truck that you hauled your one and only load of fuel?
Ha, ha, you’re a funny guy Jack, but no, a tad before my time. That was in the mid 80s for a company called Dahlen out of Janesville, Wis. looking for drivers. It wasn’t on the road, or loading, it was the delivery at the station. You wouldn’t believe how many people come out of a gas station with a new pack of cigs, and light one up. That wasn’t for me, but a bulk transport to a tank is one of the best trucking jobs you can have.
What a beauty! And why can’t we have style anymore? It makes life a little more enjoyable
First off. I would like to say a huge thank to Aaron for writing this beauty up, and having a bit of his history too, and also Howard A. For finding this gem. What a gorgeous International. You got your fuel delivered in style with this rig. And I’m with Howard. I never tried hauling gasoline or Diesel. Just high pressure medical gas cylinders ( kicking them two at a time) and that was nerve wracking enough. This restoration is amazing, and I’m ok with no lettering on it. Its just beautiful to look at. Thanks again Aaron, great write up!!!
-Dave
In my opinion it was a mistake to list a truck of this calibre on FB. If it were mine, I would have rolled the dice at Barrett Jackson for something as specialized as this.
Hi John, not so sure about that. While I agree, BJ does have the “best of the best”, and attracts people looking for such, I’ve found FB Marketplace seems to be the best place for “regular” people buying and selling things. It’s free( minus cable charges) and attracts a HUGE audience. If I was to sell my Jeep( when they pry my cold hands from the steering wheel), that’s where I’d go. BJ, not so much, except maybe for that Jag I’ve had a hankerin’ for,,
Howard, you know I love your comments. But, disagree this time. If this were an ordinary K series, FB is fine, but to me this one is extraordinary and the kind that tends to resonate with the BJ crowd. And that’s coming from an owner of a 1940 IH D2. BTW, I’m also a Jag concours judge so get with me if you want help checking out that Jag 😉.
You know it’s cool with me, let me get you another _____,,I will admit, it isn’t often this stuff comes through FB, which I forgot, I think you need to be a member to advertise or view the stuff, and is indeed auction worthy. It’s just, I have a couple car auction channels on ROKU, and almost never are trucks featured, on TV anyway. In fact, the vintage trucks that are featured are usually resto-mods, or some defining feature, like yours almost new, or NAPCO or Apache, or Apache NAPCO, I’ve never seen bigger trucks like this come down the pike. I’m not sure the folks looking for a Lambo will be at the same auction as who would want this. And who would drive it??
RE: the Jag,,thanks, that’s something that’s reserved for Heaven, I hope, along with all the other “misfires” of my life that never came to fruition.
Nice truck! Had I the means and the place, I would take it home but trucks like this need to go to collections like my boss has.
I deal with these kinds of trucks on a daily basis and talk to people about them, from Australia to Capetown, to Gnome and any place in between.
The Diamond basis on the engines ties in with the truck logo that International used on its trucks since the early years of the 20th Century. Binder used the 3-Diamonds until 1953 when Raymond Loewy designed the “Man-On-Tractor.” The first Diamond engine was the Green Diamond flathead six; the “Blue Diamond” and “Red Diamond” morphed from the “F-Series” engines that powered the larger trucks in the earlier 40s. They resembled the earlier engines but there were some mechanical differences. The Silver Diamond, followed in 1950 in the smaller trucks, with the Black Diamond in the mid-50s. IH decided that since it was running a good thing why change it?
Of course there were some “surprises” in the late 40s as well but they will have to be discussed at a later date…
You,my friend, were the first person I thought of with this. Funny, I always thought the IH symbol was “Hi”. You know, pal, maybe it’s the 2am talking, but these posts are bittersweet, what makes us tick belongs in a museum.:( It’s okay, I enjoy museums, ( especially the H-D museum,wink, wink), but the items displayed were from our parents and grandparents time, guess it’s our turn. Turn the page, huh,,,
A trucking outfit in Reedsburg ,Wis., if you’re into vintage Binders, you’ve probably heard of Skinner Transport. (SKINNER!!!) Old man Skinner had a bunch of restored 30s-50s IHs, including a Sightliner, and several of these, only “Westcoasters”. Like Del De Youngs Diamond Ts, Skinner had an impressive display. He passed away, and the “kid” sold all the trucks, but kept one, I think.
I’m not entirely sure what will happen to vehicles like this. Interest, space, and of course, the money, are all in short supply. I think there will be interest as a museum piece, I’m not sure anyone will actually buy this in the future. For now, however, plenty of us still sucking air will step up and will enjoy it one more time, and I guess that”s good enough for me.
Same here Howard. I saw this and said…… Where’s Geomechs? I also didn’t piece the man on a tractor either till many year later. This is a huge reason why I come on here. I need a place to go to unwind and relax and bend my brain around something I actually enjoy.
Thank you again for the writeup Aaron and the tip Howard, and ALL the great comments too folks!!! Keep em coming!!!
-Dave
Howard,
My grandson and I got a private tour by Del. We arrived at his office per the invite and he was wearing wide red Diamond T suspenders. I always wondered if he wore them everyday or wore them for us. I have a lot of photos from that day.
We went to a couple of his open houses after that.
His Buick collection was impressive too
The difference between car guys and truck guys.
Car guys would think nothing of dropping 3 times the amount on a restored ’62 whatever, look at this and go so?
Truck guys would look at this and say 33k? WOW! That’s cheap for such a beautifully restored rig! Probably got twice that in it!
Funny to mention that vague sense of unease as you stare into the face of the past. . . I’ve felt the same. Often. Conversely, every time I look at the face of a Juke I want to puke.
Juke and puke. Well that’s the first time I have heard that one and probably not the last. To be clear, the Nissan Juke is a bit odd, but for some reason, I wouldn’t mind owning a Nismo Juke at some point. Who knows, eventually, you might even see one reviewed on BF.
You need this to follow when you’re driving a gas guzzler.
I can just imagine the iconic Mobil “Flying Red Horse” logo, featuring the mythological Pegasus stenciled across the back and on the doors would be perfect. I bet it would bring the asking price too!!
These era trucks are beautiful, and the form was part of the function. This truck is very fortunate to have found an enthusiast that spent the time and money to keep it beautiful.
I had a Chevy fuel tank truck with a small V8 and low gears. Everything seemed fine as I drove it around as a service truck. Then I got a call where there was a long fairly steep hill. I was supposed to arrive around noon. At 3PM I got an irate call, “where are you”? Well, I was still on that hill! A fully loaded tanker with 6.00 gears crawls up and about 1.0 mph and a 3 mile drive, well you do the math.
I kept the tank and re-bodied it on a DT466 International chassis..
I guess during the time of this truck, the world moved a lot slower.
My White (REO) 8×10 tanker truck doesn’t do much better, but in never goes on long drives.
Just a beautiful statement of function and style! I could park this in the yard ( I don’t know what else I would do with it) and just look at it for hours! Unfortunately, these days it’s all about function. Good beautiful Style only happens these days once in a blue moon. It’s so beautiful that I want it. But, time, cash and space to park it indoors all conspire to say no. Thanks to the Grumpy old Howard for the tip and Aaron for the write-up!
Not anymore,,,:)
You should stick to what you know best!!!
Ok, Howard. Glad to hear that the “grumpiness” is a passing thing!(lol) We all love you for your “grandfatherly” ( coming from a grandfather that lived in a 2 and 4 wheel life) comments and knowledge!
Spring is coming!, WOO HOO!
WOW WEE WHAT JEWEL I woudl lve to mkae this into a camper. . At 5 years old ina an orphanage in Leavenworth Kansas the 1st very 1st vehicle I drove was a flat bed international in 1937 WOW
Thank you Aaron for the great write up on a beautiful truck. Howard and GEO have filled in many of the blanks. This is a great show truck that I would not mind owning, and actually at a decent price considering the cost of a restoration. All of you who are interested in museums, please put the Keystone Museum in Colonial Heights VA (at the junction of I-85 & I-95) on your bucket list for a day long visit.. Keith bought several of the Diamond T’s from the late Del De Young’s (mentioned above) collection.
They bought most of Harry Muhlschlegel’s collection too, he owned Jevic Trucking.
Howard,
My grandson and I got a private tour by Del. We arrived at his office per the invite and he was wearing wide red Diamond T suspenders. I always wondered if he wore them everyday or wore them for us. I have a lot of photos from that day.
We went to a couple of his open houses after that.
His Buick collection was impressive too
Howard, between you, geomecs, Jim Randall, Brocky and others that I have left off. Have provided us 2 and 4 wheelers with a few lifetimes of 6 to 18+ wheeler and commercial vehicle and equipment knowledge and entertainment. And I personally thank all of you! For medium and heavy duty vehicles I know just enough to be dangerous. And you guys keep us from wandering down the wrong path.
I’m sure I can speak for the others, and it’s our pleasure to be part of the informal entertainment squad. Some of us have known each other for upwards of 14 years and we’ve had a close group, sharing experiences and anecdotes, hopefully with no end in sight. As long as the unique machines keep coming we’ll keep sharing the stories. This is one of the best virtual coffee shops I’ve ever had the pleasure to be part of…
Beautiful truck!! I do remember hauling gasoline in a much newer truck. As my boss told me, “Don’t worry about anything while the tank is full, just be more careful when it’s empty”.
Found out much later what he meant, you are loaded with the fumes only when empty, because of vapor recovery, when we dropped a load, the liquid pushed the fumes back into the tank. EPA law of course.
I didn’t last long at that job.