Old pickup trucks remain a hot collectible, but Chevrolet and Ford are definitely the major players, with a little GMC thrown in on the side. But what about International? They were pickup participants for years until they decided to focus more on larger commercial and over-the-road models. Today’s discovery, courtesy of Curvette, is a 1972 1210 3/4 ton model that’s hardly perfect, but it has possibilities. Clearlake, Washington, is where you’ll find this seldom-seen International edition, and it’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000.
Except for the Scout, this 1210 was the end of the line for International light trucks and was produced from ’69 through ’75. Hagerty states, “The 1210 competed with Big Three pickups but emphasized work capability over comfort. Its styling was influenced by the Scout and remained consistent through the early 1970s. The International 1210 remains a sought-after classic for its durability, rarity, and distinctive utilitarian design.” Besides the obvious missing front bumper, this truck appears to have been a worker. It has dents, contusions, a scratched-up cargo bed, misaligned panels (like the hood), and the general wear one expects to find on a 54-year-old workhorse that hasn’t spent its years simply doing suburban boulevard cruising and never hauling anything of consequence. There is a camper top pictured in some of the images; I guess it’s included in the sale; an inquiry would need to be made. The seller adds, “This was my grandpa’s truck; he was a parts supervisor for International Harvester out of Seattle and bought the truck new and kept it in great shape.” These 1210s were available in multiple wheelbase lengths; which one we have here is not disclosed.
Yes, this 171K mile truck runs, but the seller claims it’s not drivable due to a transmission leak (must be a heck of a leak!). As for the engine, we’re in the “I dunno nuffin” realm, as the seller has no idea. He believes it’s a replacement engine, but that’s it for the 411. This series came equipped with a 304, 345, or 392 CI V8 (it is a V8), and I’m sure there’s an ID tag that will identify the born-with powerplant. He also mentions shaky brakes. This is a two-wheel-drive example with an automatic transmission.
Mexican blanket, anyone? That’s the current upholstery fashion and hardly a surprise; I encounter these in old, hard-worked pickups all the time. The remainder of the environment is unremarkable and typical for the era.
So, dare to be different and eschew the usual Chevy or Ford? Here’s your chance. As I mentioned at the outset, it’s far from perfect, but it has potential, especially for an International fan. What do you say, any takers out there?
Mexican Blanket = 👍 🇲🇽
Thanks, J.O. for the “representative” truck, that have been VERY skimpy lately. That said, I better say something nice for the one we did get. Who knows, when, if ever, another will come along.
I know some may think I’m full of it, but time and again, I’m reminded of my stance by the sellers schpiel, “it was my grandpas truck”, and an element of satisfaction in that. As mentioned, IH always took a back seat to Ford or GM. There is/was no concrete reason for that, except not near as big a dealer network. IH was every bit as good, but shows the power of sales for people that don’t really know anything, except their papa drove a Ford/GM. IH catered mainly to a farm/rural setting, not only because farmers know the best machines, they could get parts at the combine dealer, stuff that was difficult to get at “regular” auto parts stores. Filters and spark plugs were considered “commercial”, and not all stores had that. Not unlike a foreign car then. Some IH pickups made it into the city, particularly folks that had something to do with IH, as shown here. I made my living with IH trucks more than any brand, and a pickup was to me, always the “little brother” to those big rigs, and just as dependable. Like in 1972, parts could be a challenge. Geomechs seems to have a pretty good handle on IH parts, but I wouldn’t expect them at the local AutoPlace. I doubt it’s a 392, they were in short supply, and a 304 was the standard V8. Leaks oil? Shaky brakes? Obvious gas smell? What’s the issue? Great find.
This is quite typical of what ran around the Chinook Belt back in the day. A 1210 regular cab with a (likely) 345/auto. IH had pretty much discontinued the use of the Warner Gear automatic and was using the A727 Chrysler by this time but you would need to slide underneath to verify it.
To identify the engine you would need to look at the RH front corner of the block, just under the head and look at the machined flat spot. If it had a 392 it would have a 4bbl carb on top.
Binder didn’t change much between ’69 and ’75; just the grill and some small pieces of trim. Well, emission standards changed so there were some little bits and pieces offered under the hood. I might add that there might have been a chance to be running an engine supplied by AMC in that bay although this one is genuine IH.
Some parts can be a challenge. There are some patch panels and floorpans available now. Drivetrain will depend on what you actually need. Some parts will still have to be sourced from Facebook or other salvage places though.
Besides the 4bbl 392s used 3 bolt exhaust flanges instead of 2 on the 304/345, seems like the 4bbl was an option on the 345.
Yes, the 392 exhaust flanges were 3-bolt. The 4bbl was available on the 345 in the Scout but I don’t think it was available on the light truck application. However, that’s got my curiosity up so I’m going to check it out at work today…
I own and have worked on many of these. the 392 exhaust bolt flange is always 2 bolts. You can buy new manifold heat risers, they are 2 bolts. I owned my 392 powered tow truck for 30 years, and have to replace the entire exhaust a few times. Now maybe if you go to a 392 in a school bus or Loadstar those have different exhaust manifolds.
Fix that transmission and you’ll have another 50 year workhorse.
i had one similar to this back in the 80’s. Also had a 77 Scout. Both had 345’s in them and were great vehicles. The truck was a 2WD and was a very stout workhouse. The scout was one of the best 4-wheel drive vehicles I have ever owned. That thing would go just about anywhere and outpull all of the other trucks in town, and it was bone stock except for the tires! I embarrassed many of the big 3 trucks by passing them up and pulling them out of creeks and mudholes!! I wish I had it back.
i would bet parts are not easy to find for these.
Thank you Russ and Curvette for another practical truck.. With that chrome strip along the bottom it has to be one of the higher trim levels IH offered? So it is likely the 345? Power steering and power brakes mean it is well optioned. That tailgate can be straightened by a decent body man and if the shell cover comes with it the buyer can have an excellent truck for weekend hauling and pleasurable event outings.
What many seem to forget or fail to realize, competition didn’t kill the International light line. The government and EPA destroyed these great trucks. The C.A.F.E. restrictions that came into place for the supposed global warming slop required manufacturers to comply with economy standards.
In other words, for so many less economical vehicles, you had to balance that with economy models. International couldn’t meet those standards because they didn’t have a Falcon or Chevette. First went the Pickups and Travelalls, and next, the Scouts. Let’s not forget, there were fines for non-compliance.
You’re about halfway there. If IH had continued to produce light trucks it might have run aground on the fuel economy balance regs but those regs didn’t come out until the 80s. IH stopped in ’75.
I’ve got a customer who was a dealer in the Chicago region back in the day. He told me that there was a lot of Skuttlebutt going around about a series of meetings between IH and Chrysler. An agreement was allegedly made where IH would discontinue its light line if Chrysler discontinued its larger trucks. It makes sense because when you look over Chrysler’s production, starting the mid-70s, it coincides with IH’s withdrawal from the light trucks. And later, when Chrysler took over Jeep, the Scout was retired.
Now, at the risk of suddenly bunking next to Jimmy Hoffa, I’ve mentioned this before in an exchange with another participant some time ago; I’ve seen some sketches that were done in the 70s by an International designer. I think they were intended for the Scout but they seem to have a close resemblance to a very popular light truck design that was picked up by another outfit in the early to mid-90s. When I saw the prototype of that new pickup, the first thing I recalled was those sketches…
Thanks for writing up this truck, Jim.
Always love to see the IH’s, Dodges, Studebakers, etc.
Is it just me or does it appear the bed has been pushed into the cab?