When a tractor company builds trucks, you can bet they will be tough. The International-Harvester Travelall stood as one of few four-door Sport-Utility Vehicles available in its day, and they often found themselves pulling travel trailers, taking hunters off-road, and enduring other rugged duty where durability was key. This 1972 International-Harvester Travelall 1210 in Polson, Montana is a driver with all-wheel-drive, factory air conditioning (not currently functioning), and a nicely-kept original-looking interior. It began life with three fuel tanks, but one is removed and only the rear tank is regularly used. The top-shelf 392 V8 promises to pull or haul nearly anything, and lets the Travelall maintain highway speeds with ease, according to the seller. It comes to market here on eBay where at least five bidders have pressed the going rate for this well-preserved truck beyond $15,000.
The A-pillar and door jam show what was probably the original color, a nice tan or gold color. I believe my Grandfather moved the same trailer brake controller from his 1967 Travelall to two I-H Scouts and a Bronco.
Power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning (if repaired) promise easy driving for the pilot of this full-sized SUV. The seller recently installed Pertronix electronic ignition parts for reliable starting and operation. The Holley four-barrel carburetor has been rebuilt as well. The 392 cid (6.4L) V8 has a good reputation once the head gaskets are changed, and high RPMs should be avoided, according to RedPowerMagazine.
Look at that cargo area! If you’re out to set the world record for number of hound dogs transported in an SUV, this looks like the one to choose. Rear end damage led to a replacement tailgate that lacks the original’s electric motor. The rear bumper has been replaced by at lumber-yard board. The 3/4 Ton 1210 includes heavier duty parts than the lighter units, and All-Wheel-Drive results in a higher stance even without this one’s oversized tires. Would you choose this simple ’70s SUV or pay quadruple for one with today’s computerized techno-wizardry?
What a great find. There’s a reason you’d need 3 fuel tanks,,,with all the hardware a spinnin’ in snow, or pulling something, which this truck obviously did, more like gallons per mile. Engaging the front axle drops the already low mileage by 2/3rds, but that was the cost of getting somewhere not many others could. We’ve been over and over what a colossal blunder it was for IH to stop making these, right when the SUV movement was gaining steam. They put all there cahones into bigger trucks, blissfully unaware, a company named Volvo would devastate their business. Like their bigger IH brothers, if rust doesn’t claim it, they are always rebuidable. Parts are still around, they used all “off the shelf” innards, box may have an inch of dust on it, but they are out there. As I’m slowly understanding, $15g’s, in the 4×4 SUV market doesn’t buy much today, making this a freakin’ bargain. Planning fuel stops, especially on the prairie out here, is a must. Again, 392, one of the best, got millions of kids to school begrudgingly every morning, hoping it would break down, they never did.
I don’t know about you, but when I saw “392” my first thought was that someone yanked a Gen One Hemi out of an Imperial and upgraded the beast!
I did work at the Indianapolis Navistar engine plant in 1996. The huge pile of engines that failed in testing was astounding, to say the least.
If you want a truck that rides like a truck, this is the vehicle for you. They don’t handle well, terrible turning radius, poor gas mileage, and not many creature comforts. But they start everytime you turn the key, and will take about as much abuse as you can give them. These things take a licking and keep on ticking, just about as tough of a brand you could want. Too bad you can’t buy anything close to this today
I have owned 3 International 4x4s in my life. 1953- 1958- 1967. They were all hard riding go any where trucks. Then I bought a 72, I cannot use the word truck here cause these were for the drug store cowboys not the working truck crowd. Got stuck more , Could not stop the front fenders from cracking and flapping, The list is endless. I think this model was what caused them to shut down their production. Looking at this pristine model I dont think it ever left the pavement.
Had a ‘72 in “gas chamber green”. A study old beast, that would tow anything. Got $500 trade in for a GMC Suburban.
junk
Lots of these out west. They were indestructible albeit a little expensive to repair. Maybe a little harder on fuel than they should have been but then, I know some ’70s GM products that were downright brutal on fuel. I remember a customer with a ’74 GMC pickup with a 454 telling me that he didn’t have a gas tank; you just poured the gas straight on the ground. He bought a new 3-ton the same time he bought the pickup and the 3-ton (366/5spd/2spd) got 3 mpg better. I always thought IH was wrong when it stopped production of the light trucks; it had a truck that actually stood up when it was expected to. Of course there’s always the possibility that with today’s gadgets it would leave something to be desired, just like the competition. I don’t find that Binders rusted any faster than anything else. Of course, being out west where salt is used sparingly, I never saw a rust-out unless it came from places east…
One of my close friends father had an earlier model of this in NE Oregon. I believe it was a 67 or 68. It was a beast and pretty much unstoppable. Hunting, fishing, snowmobiling – it went everywhere. Was set up with all the stuff you needed to get out of any trouble. A great winch system, couple of high lift jacks and blocks and tackle. Only time I recall getting stuck was on a logging road in deep snow trying to pull a Jeep Wagoneer out of a hole. We got both the IH and the Jeep out of there and I actually remember it being great fun! Oh to be young and stupid again!