Looking nearly bomb-proof, this jolly green giant comes to market in running condition, though the seller advises some “TLC” will be required to address maintenance and other items. The 1968 International-Harvester Travelall in San Dimas, California began life as a US Forest Service vehicle. As one would expect from a company that also made tractors and other farming and working implements, the Travelall was known for durability and “form follows function” styling. In addition to four-wheel-drive, this one features air conditioning, automatic transmission, power brakes, and power steering… fancy! The post here on craigslist asks $15,000 for the privilege of owning this sturdy-looking classic. The solid front hubcaps may indicate full-time four-wheel-drive as most trucks of this vintage sported hand-locking hubs of the “stop and get out” variety. Thanks to reader Ikey H. for spotting this durable SUV.
The under-dash air conditioning unit is normally seen as a dealer-installed option, but this one is apparently “factory” according to the seller. The complete absence of dashboard vents seems odd today, but in the ’60s most cars had enormous under-dash vents to provide plenty of airflow when moving. This simple dash is not unattractive and provides more necessary data at a glance than many new displays.
My grandparents had one of these, 4×4 but with the standard side-hinged “barn doors” and in a much darker green. We called it “The Green Monster,” and it made the perfect rig for hunting in the Allegheny National Forest, pulling a travel trailer or boat, and various other adventures. This one features the more wagon-like tailgate and an equally burly towing hitch that probably weighs as much as a Honda Civic.
The no-nonsense grille is unlikely to be confused with other vehicles. The seller describes some areas of minor rust. The original rusty hood comes with the sale (if wanted) and the truck wears a replacement hood painted to match the otherwise original paint.
Though not “literally a time capsule,” as the description reads (because the word “figuratively” has seemingly been replaced with “literally” sometime in the last ten years), it shows no signs of restoration, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This rig has stories to tell and sits in much better shape than many. It would be nice to see it refurbished and used. The “almost new” tires may be slightly oversized, but that probably means better highway RPMs and MPG, for what it’s worth. Some engine and undercarriage pictures would be handy, but this I-H would make a reasonable weekend driver and a stylish alternative to newer $15,000 used SUVs, and it will never be sidelined by a yaw sensor or fuel pump controller like some newer ones! What experiences can you share about International Harvester vehicles?
Nice truck that looks like it can be used without much work and doesn’t need refurbishment. I’d bet it sells close to its asking price.
Steve R
Has anybody ever paid that much for a Travelall?
Maybe not, but they might now!
When I was growing up, the elderly neighbor across the road from us had one of these – it was in excellent condition in the ’80s and I wonder whatever happened to it.
This wouldn’t have full time 4WD – it obviously doesn’t have locking hubs but that just means that the front axles and front driveshaft are turning all the time. No power to them until the transfer case is shifted into 4WD.
Hello Todd Z. I’d love to see a Travelall on the road, maybe pulling an Airstream, etc. You described exactly what I suspect, front axles always engaged, and a friend refers to his truck of that configuration as “Full Time 4WD” but it’s definitely NOT like an Audi system with a Haldex unit, etc. If you didn’t shift out of 4WD you would do serious damage to this classic on dry pavement. Thanks for pointing that out!
I seriously doubt if this would have Full-Time 4×4. I don’t know about when Borg-Warner introduced Quadratrac but New Process didn’t bring out the 203 until ‘73. I don’t think Binder ever offered it. Locking front hubs were optional.
My 1972 Scout II had automatic locking hubs from the factory. The front axle didn’t turn all the time, but the hubs engaged when the transfer case was shifted to 4WD and the vehicle rolled forward. I replaced them with manual locking hubs. My 1972 Jeep CJ5 originally had fixed plates on the front axle. The front axle turned all the time. I assume this Travelall has fixed hub plates on the front like my CJ had. Manual locking hubs can be swapped if desired.
Let’s see, ripped grimey upholstery, missing trim panel, dash gauges beat, dash trim beat, no pics of underside, no engine pics, known leaks, no real info on drivetrain, suspension or brakes.
Wow, where do I send the $15 large…
Rather have this than 90 percent of these early Broncos on here.
I was a service manger for a IH in 68 IH never had a factory ac and it’s a 2 wheel drive. Super nice though.
Thanks, Jerrydeewrench. Come to think of it there is a 4WD lever or two missing on the floor. Good eye! I guess we can file not knowing it’s 2WD and not describing or showing the engine under “Things that make you go Hmm.”
Check again Jerrydeewrench – the transfer case shifter is visible on the pass side of the transmission tunnel in one of the photos, the solid front drive axle is visible in at last one photo, and the familiar “All Wheel Drive” badges are present on the front fenders. This is definitely a 4WD truck.
Nice truck! I would like to see some pics of the engine bay so I could verify what’s in there. Too rich for my blood but I would like it at my place just the same. I’m skeptical of the vintage. That looks like a’66 grill on it. But it would still be a desirable truck. The front hubs, looks like stock hubs; free-running hubs wouldn’t fit under the hubcaps.
Nice truck, naturally, I’m a bit skeptical about it’s history. Yes, it’s green, but pretty fancy for a forestry truck. Unless this was the Chief’s personal truck,, I think it’s just a very rare example of a 4×4 Travelall. Forestry trucks almost always had a winch, no A/C or automatics, that I’ve seen. Travelalls got better with every version and this was about as nice as they got. The old man had a 1970 “D” series Travelall, and was a dismal vehicle. And for the record, lockouts weren’t a necessity. Most people knew not to drive them in 4 wheel drive on dry roads. $15g’s? Let’s see, what does $15g’s buy today? Certainly not anything comparable to this. I suppose that makes this a good deal. Nuts, hey?
“We called it ‘The Green Monster’”
My family had a 1200 Travelette that we called “The Monster” (even had a custom front license plate fitted) because it was big and ugly.
The grille is either 1965 or 1966,the ’67/8 ‘s were quite different.I had a ’68 2WD with a 392 – fearsome thing!
Nice Traveller. Seems like the UFS wouldn’t spring for the custom plate (hello budgets and paperwork), but who knows.
In any case, it looks like a good spot to start a project or use largely as is.
And I’ll bite and say… “San Dimas High School football rules!”
Hey Todd,
Being a life-long resident of the Allegheny National Forest, a place not too kind to steel in general, and International trucks in particular, I’m betting that this one has survived about 50 years longer than your grandparent’s did.
That’s assuming that your grandparent’s home was not too far from the ANF as the Travelall was not much of a long distance traveler.
My brother and I drove one of these through the dusty deserts of western-Utah and eastern-Nevada for years during the summers of the 1970s. Our employer picked it up after the State of California surplus auctioned it. Big balloon tires. It had been a beach patrol vehicle. To this day, if I say “WAR 840” to him, it conjures a dented blue Nevada plate, hanging askew on the rear rear bumper of a late-60’s C-series Travelall with barn doors that didn’t latch easily. She was a rugged old girl. Climb anything in low-range. We should have tried to take her with us when we left the company. But neither of us had the will to make her more than a memory.
Travelalls have been rising in value (along with almost any 60’s and 70’s era trucks). Doubt this is worth 15K? Check some of the past Travelall auctions at bringatrailer.com. Given their rarity a surprising number have sold there.
Given the options and generally good condition, this one is perhaps a tad rich, but probably priced close to what the owner will get. Fully restored, they can break $60,000. Cardiff Classic’s had a fine example one that tipped the scales at $65,000. They just sold it. Beautifully restored. But (as usual with ANY restoration) you’ll put that much (or more) into this one to bring it to that level of fit and finish. And you won’t get paid a cent for your labor.
Probably best to just do a very light sympathetic on this one. Enjoy it close to “as is” and replace bits and pieces as the universe sends parts your way. But most of us can’t stop once we start. One thing always leads to another.
In some ways it is a blessing not to have any more garage space…
Hi Tom. Mostly the Green Monster stayed in and around Warren, PA where I grew up. I don’t have any great pictures but here is one from 1966 when it must have been new. I’m sure it saw plenty of deer and rabbit hunting adventures, as well as some ice fishing. I just remember it later when it had disintegrated metal panels flapping around and faded paint. Two Scout IIs followed it, then when IH was no more, an ’86 Bronco. As a youngster I remember the excitement of being trusted to lock the hub on the passenger’s side when things got mucky. The IH vehicles were very capable. In our family they were “cars” because, in Grandpa Don’s parlance, trucks had a bed in the back. Thanks for your post!
As we look back through thousands of old family slides, my brothers and I are always bummed about the lack of good car pics. So many great cars in our family history, but the photogs were always focused on the people!
One more picture for good measure. I believe Grandpa’s go-to hitch ball protector was a V8 Vegetable juice can painted to match the car. They fit right over the ball and he kept some grease in there.
I love these old Travelall’s! I had one of these and it is not a false sense of security blasting down the road. Mine was a 1970 2010 model. It was a heavy 3/4ton with heavy springs to push to 1 ton. Had the 345 big block mated to a granny gear 5,speed trans. 2 wheel drive, solid front axle on leafs with kingpins. Dual exhaust with glass packs. Felt like the front wheels could pull up off the line. 4:11 gears! I loved it, but sold it to a guy who promptly wrapped it around a tree. Not a scratch!
Great pics, Todd! Love to see the period pics.
Very nice oldie for sure! These were powerful torque engines, built to handle the riggers of heavy commercial work. That’s all the engines in the series, from 304, 345, and 392! All built to operate at full throttle with heavy loads. I’ve had three Cornbinders I’ve owned in the past. The first was a 73 Scout II, nothing special just a 4×4, single speed transfer, automatic 258 AMC six. The second was very nice, I spec ordered a 78 Scout II TERRA truck, but this time a HD 2 speed transfer and 345/4 brl HD 727, with 3:51 TracLoc differential rear an limited front!! The third was in california when I worked on a tree removal crew as mechanic and truck driver. The tool/contact truck we found was an old, even in 81, I believe was a 64, Standup van in 1 ton dually, with a 392/4 brl dual exhaust that sounded amazing, plus a 5 speed with OD and low hole 1st! That even loaded to the gills with chainsaws and a thousand lbs of tools and spare tires for every vehicle, along with a travel trailer, we used for the crew on short out of the area jobs, that was a bumper pull type that was 32’ long and 9,800 lbs! That the funny stand up bread van looking rig could tow up The Grapevine at 70 mph without breaking a sweat!! The only negative was mileage! Like 8-10 by itself and 5-8 towing. But it had one 35 gal tank plus another 25 gal tank, plus a built in gas tank with pump for the gas powered equipment that held 200 gallons! Loaded to go with just me driving an one riding shotgun it weighed in at 10,000 lbs ready to go full of gas!
Had one. Liked it. Be prepared to buy a lot of fuel. No..really..a lot.
Todd – Great pics!
I’m closer to the ANF than you were – arguably – not by much – but I’m surrounded on all four sides :)
Kane
And I knew some Warren Fitch’s back in the day