- Seller: Ryan L (Contact)
- Location: Bensenville, Illinois
- Mileage: 79,518 Shown
- Chassis #: A1204X4SA92686B
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 240cid Black Diamond Inline-6
- Transmission: Manual
In 1957, International Harvester celebrated 50 years of truck production with a special-edition truck. They called it the A-series, with the “A” standing for Anniversary, and offered it in several configurations. The A120 combined International’s rugged 3/4-ton chassis with its bulletproof inline-6 and go-anywhere 4×4 driveline. This example is a project, but it has already had a ton of work done to get it going again, and it’s said to be solid throughout. It’s being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction and is located in Bensenville, Illinois, with a clean title.
The seller has too many projects going on right now, so they’ve decided to part ways with this IH, but they still managed to do a ton of work on it. They replaced the tires and tubes, had the original wheels powder-coated, installed a new driveshaft, rebuilt the transmission, installed a new radiator, new water pump, rebuilt the generator, rebuilt the carburetor, installed a new fuel pump, acid-cleaned the fuel tank, had a new windshield installed, and rebuilt the door hinges. They didn’t get around to the rear brakes, cosmetics, or finishing the exhaust. The truck runs and can be driven, which will make getting it shipped easier.
International’s Black Diamond inline-6 engines are known to be durable and easy to maintain. This truck is equipped with what the seller believes to be its original 240 cid unit and manual transmission. When new, it was rated at 140 horsepower and 223 foot-pounds of torque. Power is routed through a 2-speed transfer case, a Dana 44F front axle, and an IH rear axle. The carburetor is currently wearing an aftermarket air cleaner, but the engine bay otherwise appears original. The seller has provided a video below of the truck running, and it sounds good.
Times were different when this truck was built. You won’t find luxury features here; instead, you find just what you need to get the job done. It’s simple, functional, and ready for work. The bench seat’s upholstery looks to be in good condition, the dash is intact, and the door panels are present. A few additional gauges have been added to the bottom of the dash, but everything else appears to be original. Surface rust is present on the floor and ceiling, but overall, it looks solid. The seller provided photos of the insides of the doors, and they appear to be rust-free as well.
Besides finishing up the work the seller started, this truck will need cosmetic attention and rust treatment. Other than the carb corners, the body looks to be in good shape. This truck has a ton of potential, whether you are looking for a rig with patina to preserve or a good restoration candidate. With a little more work, you could start driving it as-is while you decide which route to take. Whether you give it a coat of clear or a proper restoration, it will be a cool truck! So, will you keep the patina or restore it to its former glory?
These were so popular out in the Chinook Belt back in the day. It seems that from ’56 to ’60 you could find an International 3/4 ton performing daily service for some rancher.
Tougher than the proverbial boiled owl; they could take almost everything the driver could dish out then be back for more the next day. Of course, on our family ranch, Dad had an S-120 that spent more time in the shop than it did working. Dad was convinced that 4x4s were troublesome. He got rid of the 4×4 and got a B-120 2WD, which ended up in the shop as often as the 4×4 did. Dad found the out the hard way when he talked to the new owner of the S-120 who could give it nothing but praise (It is used daily to this day). Anyways, after having to catch a ride across the prairie with “Cactus,” our ranch foreman, Dad realized that it wasn’t the truck but the driver. Dad made the comment: “Cactus can destroy anything that isn’t covered with hair!” Cactus might’ve been a good cowpoke but was hopeless with anything mechanical.
Anyways, I wouldn’t mind taking on a project like this. They don’t get much rougher riding but they deliver…