After about 50 years of ownership by the City of Chicago, this nifty car hauler sold at auction about two years ago, according to the seller. Now it’s up for grabs here on Craigslist, where $9999 adds it to your collection. Located outside Kansas City, Kansas, this ramp truck needs tires and a going-through before any serious use, but it drove 20 minutes and hauled a car in testing a couple of years ago, as per the seller. Ramps extend from the two tilted sections to reach the ground, dodging the need for complicated hydraulics. Thanks to reader Rocco B. for spotting this unique hauler.
These CargoStar cabovers were everywhere back in their day. My grandfather managed a disposal company for decades and they built and mounted custom trash-compacting bodies on the CargoStar chassis for years. I sat in a few cabs just like this in the shop, sparks flying in the background. Fabricating in my own garage triggers those memories: the smell of grease, oil, and burning metal in the building Grandpa called “The Plant.”
The 392 cid (6.4L) V8 engine powers this workhorse, and if it matches the claimed 112,000 miles, it should have plenty of life left to give. Maybe one of our truck experts can help with some details. For spending most of its life in the Land of Lincoln, this truck looks solid underneath.
Note the cooling vents in the bumper. I’m no fan of the bright white paint, but I’m assuming this was City of Chicago livery for the time. It seems to have gained a so-so re-spray at some point. A video here on YouTube shows how the cab opens by pumping a fixed hydraulic bottle jack. They also demonstrate the winch system with corded remote control. The video, shot about two years ago, shows the truck traversing a short distance with no apparent problems. I don’t need a car hauler, but if I did, I would consider this one for its simplicity and my history with the CargoStar. Anyone fancy a rarely-seen vintage ramp truck?
Really clean it up and take it the car shows with a ‘71 Travelette crew cab 4WD (that’s also been all cleaned up) on the back.
Good eye, Rocco B.
Get the juice brakes dialed in, I always preferred to see air brakes ⚠️ on a truck this size. Cool rig. Good write up too Fitch 👍 Keep sending the old trucks to the site Rocco 👍
Whoa, diggin’ deep, I see. Look what I may have started. LOVE IT!!!
Before the standard issue rolloff, ramp trucks were the ticket. Drag racers and towing companies all used them. While the ubiquitous Ford F series was by far the most popular, the IH CargoStar was close behind. For the record, this is the 2nd series with a bigger cab. The CO Loadstar preceded it. The 392 was adequate, running through a 5 speed with a 2 speed rear axle( not seen), sometimes a dash mounted switch. The asphalt company I drove for in the 70s had IH cabovers like this for their distributor trucks. They had a very tight turning radius, and perfect for city deliveries. There were others too. White, Mack, GMC, all had trucks like this, but not near as popular. Remember us talking about bent shift levers? None were more prevalent than in these trucks. An old asphalt distributor IH had a 5 speed COLUMN shift, 2 speed on the dash. I think this could still be used in some capacity, shlepping your vintage race car, or a car that’s not road compliant to a show, it’s a great find.
“Maybe one of our truck experts…”
Just had to make that intro to wake the sleeping giant, as though he would need any encouragement
Don’t know the state laws on towing/transporting vehicles, but I’d be tempted to get it, put in shape, and specialize in moving/retrieving older and antique vehicles to locations.
Just thinking of how to make it pay for itself, and see the country.
These old Cargo Stars actually held up pretty well, 392 a horse of an engine, slow with no 2sp (I don’t see a button on the shifter), turn on a dime. Down side is they’re uncomfortable to drive if you’re tall like me(6’2″) and had a crappy hydraulic clutch.
This is how NOT to have to use a ramp truck. I had the Ford F450 and 55 wagon at a swap meet this fall and through my own error I broke the lug studs on one set of rear duals about 30 miles from home. I borrowed a car from a nephew and ran home to get the GMC. I think I was right at the 26,000# license rating and close to height limits but got it all home OK.
The Ford – 97, 7.3 turbo diesel, 5 speed, A/C, power windows & locks etc and the wagon are still both for sale, safely tucked away in the barn for winter!
don’t need a car carrier. saw the old cargo star. worked on them a lot. popped a windshield out when the flare kit was behind the passenger seat folded forward. moving trucks had a covered panel in the box for lining up the trans linkage into the shift tower.a REAL pain doing it solo after a clutch job. hydraulic & brake master cyl. were idiotic with the add fluid through a rubber boot. brake fluid all over the floor. king pins were easy with the tilt cab. engines never broke down.
Alot of weight beyond the rear axle there 427.
Bet you could have pulled a wheelie. That would be considered a “nightime” load.
I SLOWLY took back roads home but still was not a comfortable trip!
We had Ford cab overs at the company that I worked for in the early 70’s. All of them were hard to shift as the linkage was very sloppy and always out of adjustment.
Here’s another one that snuck in the side door. Well, I couldn’t let this go by without me adding my two cents.
The Cargostar is good. International shot itself in the foot with the Loadstar CO because it tried to incorporate the five-speed shift mechanism into the steering column. By the time this one came out shifter problems were fixed.
Brake wheel cylinders are easy to come by but drums can be challenging. If you need to fix the master brake and clutch cylinders, places like White Post Restorations are going to be utilized. Clutch slave cylinder no problem.
Interior cab parts are difficult. A windshield is about as easy to come by as the winning Powerball ticket.
Engine parts are okay except that O/S pistons could take some time.
Overall, not a bad project. Lots of them were built so there’s a fair amount of salvage parts out there. You would be well advised to join some IH pages on Facebook…