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1949 International KB-2 Pickup Survivor

The seller says this awesome looking 1949 International pickup spent most of its life in Eastern Colorado. It is now located in Roeland Park, Kansas which is a suburb of Kansas City and looks great in the photos. In fact, the ad says that the photos don’t do it justice, so it must be a real stunner in person. It can be found for sale here on craigslist with an asking price of $7,500. Take a closer look at this one and thanks to Ikey H for the tip on this great pickup.

The engine is a 214 cubic inch GRD flathead straight-six that is backed by a 4-speed transmission. The seller says it “runs and drives fantastic” but needs a couple of little things to make it roadworthy. The master cylinder needs replaced. The radiator has a small leak. The tires, belts, and hoses need to be replaced along with a couple of lights. Most of that is pretty easy work to do and could be done in a weekend once the parts are in your hand.

Unfortunately, there aren’t great photos of the interior. You can see the dash appears to be original and intact. The ad does say the dash lights and gauges all work. The only non-original part of this truck is said to be the seat which was replaced at some time before the current owner acquired the truck.

Overall, this looks like a really solid project. While post-war Ford and Chevy trucks might dominate the landscape, Studebakers, Dodges, and Internationals like this one shouldn’t be overlooked. Almost all of the trucks of this era feature the same general shape and in my opinion, it’s cool to have something non-traditional. How about you? Would you rather have a more “common” truck that is supported well by the aftermarket, or something less common?

Comments

  1. HoA Howard A Member

    Actually,,,it was IH that dominated the farm truck scene after Dubja Dubja 2. I read somewhere, a large part of the population lived on farms, and IH was king on the farm. An IH tractor and IH truck went hand in hand. People that had an Allis or Case tractor might buy a Ford or Chevy, but farmers were very loyal to their brand, and an “all IH farm” was common. I suppose people are getting tired of me bitxxing about the prices, it’s not 1984 anymore, when a good friend of mine, bought 2 of these for $500 bucks, and one drove. Nothing fancy here and as the years pass, fewer and fewer will want a stock truck like this. Just no call for it. Resto-mod away, and that’s okay too.

    Like 5
  2. IkeyHeyman

    Keep it as is, just sort it out mechanically. There’s a historical value in trucks like this that goes beyond the “cool” factor, I think people enjoy seeing what pickup trucks were like back before they were used for just driving to a mall.

    Like 16
  3. TimM

    This truck was definitely the work horse from wherever it came from!! It looks all together and now it would be nice to see a restoration or restomod on this one for a new lease on its somewhat hard life!!

    Like 2
  4. DON

    Usually I dont like the “Patina” thing, but this one is so solid and original I wouldn’t have the heart to touch that sheet metal ! Like Ikey said , sort it out mechanically, and leave the rest .

    Like 9
  5. Jbear

    AD was deleted

    Like 0
  6. James Simpson

    They do not make these anymore. If a bidding on this truck is underway, I would not be surprised that it would turn the seller into a very surprised, and wealthy individual. ADD PULLED? Yea! No Doubt. It is only original once, and that “Time Machine” is worth far more than the listing. FAR FAR More! Preservation trumps all. It is one of the only verifiable truths out there. People are seeking truth now more and more. This truck represents all of that.

    Like 2
  7. Mike

    I couldn’t tell if the tail board had KNOX stamped in it. Most of these corn binders had a KNOX body just like the 1928-31 Model AA big trucks had a rack body made by REPUBLIC STEEL.

    Like 1
  8. geomechs geomechs Member

    These are getting more popular all the time. I retired over a year ago from the repair business, and now I work part-time for an outfit that supplies parts for old Binders. Since I started, the interest in these has skyrocketed. Interestingly enough, I talked to a guy who bought a similar KB2 that was featured in BF. Had a very good chat with him. Gotta love those old Binders…

    Like 3
    • Mike

      If you love old international’s google George Tackaberry who has 14 buildings 70’ x 140’ full of trucks in Athens, Ontario. I have been there and and it is a wonderful experience. He also has acres on trucks for parts or restoration.

      Like 2
  9. Chris Londish

    Looks like a nice dry rust free example, I was in New Zealand in the early eighties and there was still a lot of 40s and early fifties stuff getting around because of the high cost of new vehicles there due to government policies now most of them only exist in collectors hands like here in Australia get your hands on them while there still affordable

    Like 1
  10. geomechs geomechs Member

    A person would be tempted to keep this truck as is for a long time to come. A good cleaning, polishing, just tune it up and drive it–at 50. Change the carburetor; someone put a Holley 1904 on it and it should have a Zenith. I’ve seen some Rochester carbs on these as well. Definitely the wrong air cleaner, I would want to find the original style if this came to my place…

    Like 2
  11. Dominic Veronesi

    I’m pretty sure before 1950 were 6 volt electrical systems.But then again it’s a corn binder.

    Like 0

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