We haven’t posted an honest truck find in a while — this 197? (it’s listed as a 1969, but that’s wrong) International 1210 pickup certainly fits the criteria, so here it is! Thanks to Ikey H. for sending in this great looking find! The truck is for sale in Princeton, Minnesota, and is listed here on craigslist for $5,900. As usual, our criteria for an “honest truck” is that it not be covered in body filler, have some suitable truck-type wear and have a lot of utility left — and this 1210 certainly meets them all! Let’s take a closer look!
With only a 13-word description in the ad, we are left to infer a lot from the pictures. Thanks to oldinternationaltrucks.com we can see that this original paint is Omaha Orange. With that name and the orange color, I’m thinking this is the perfect truck for Peyton Manning! However, I can tell you that the truck isn’t a 1969 model. The “10” series of trucks wasn’t introduced until 1971, and the grille on this example, presumably original, dates it to be at least a 1972 model. Make sure that the title matches the serial number!
While it’s certainly seen a lot of use, the bed is fairly solid, with some rust illustrated in the next picture. That’s a lot of wear on the bed for the claimed 50,000 miles — might it actually be 150,000?
Here’s some of the bed side rust. Would you repair it or use the truck as is?
The interior looks pretty clean overall from the only picture we have, with some upholstery problems showing up. I’m surprised the red vinyl isn’t faded more than it is. Does anyone else think red upholstery is a little odd choice for someone to make with an orange exterior? Not saying it’s not original, just an odd choice when the truck was built.
We don’t know which one of the International V-8s this particular truck has under the hood, but with a newish looking master cylinder endorsing the seller’s claim of new brakes and only a moderate layer of dirt, I’m not too worried about the mechanical state of the truck. Of course, a PPI is always a good idea! Do any of you own and drive an International pickup? Tell us about your experiences in the comments!
Looks like the steering linkage needs replacing also.
I noticed it too Jim. Your better off looking for some mining belt or grain belt and make your own. The ones you get from China are junk. I put one on my dump truck and it tore . I didn,t enven get the bolts tight. This is a nice truck. The badge on the one we have hear says–1110–eight–automatic and its a 1973. Now it could be a early or late model with what ever year they have on the title,but I,d still check the title number against the vin number. The inner fenders on these and rest of the body had thin metal–including the frame. I,d check it out good too. I,d like to find a good body in half the shape the one advertised for sale.
My grandfather never drove any other trucks except International and when they quit making them he just kept fixing his until he stopped driving af age 90
This truck is a 1973
I would drive it although I prefer manual transmission
Nice truck, not 60k, but 150k but still nice
In the 70’s trucks were used as “trucks”, it wasn’t till the late 80’s or early 90’s that they became status symbols or commuter cars. It would not surprise me to see a bed looking like this @ 50k. I would fix the rust just to preserve the truck, maybe put a bed liner in it then I too would use it as intended ( to accomplish some work ).
My uncle won a 69 International truck in an Amoco oil company giveaway in the state of Iowa.
Looks just like this one.
With the grill and side moldings this should be a 1973. Can’t see enough details on the engine to tell which one it is.
We had the same side trim on our ‘72 1210.
The 73 we have –it has the 392 -but look the same as the 345 as this motor. The side trim looks the same-except the badge says 1110–(eight– in letters) automatic On the drivers side on the fender. Ours does not have the round thing and on the grill it says International. I,d like to have this truck. It was used for what it was made for. I have seen trukcs and cars not a year old.Look like hell.
Doesn’t look like a bad deal for the money, assuming that you know your way around an International. Fix the rust and drive it. Make sure that you put a CB radio in so you can listen to the truckers talk about “the last time I saw one of those was…” .
“Mercy sakes, Pigpen ( CB handle) look what’s a’ going the other way, one of them mini-Cornbinders, by gar, it’s been a while”,,IH made great trucks and these pickups were no exception, however, they were never popular, except in a farm community. Farmers could buy parts right at the combine dealer. City folks weren’t so lucky, and I remember, it was worse than parts for a foreign car. They used funky commercial plugs, and filters nobody carried.These gas motors were a bit weak for heavy duty applications, but for a light duty, they couldn’t be beat. This motor got 3/4 of schoolkids to school everyday, with a little popping and backfiring, but it made it, to the grumpy drivers dismay. IH was on top of the HD truck market in the 70’s. They foolishly halted production of these in 1975,( Scout until 1980) just when the pickup truck market was taking off, to concentrate on the HD market. Too bad they never figured a truck named Volvo would put them in last place today. I think VW owns most of IH( Navistar) today. Great find.
Likely a 304 or a 345. Those series of V8 were strong built and lasted forever on a diet of hard work. My little 304 in the 1600 Loadstar (9000 pound truck) works hard to move an average GVW over 20,000 pounds but it always gets the job done. At over 120,000 miles I have no doubt it will outlast me. Had a 72 Scout II with 304 and automatic. I drove it like a car. Great mechanically but subject to body rust.
The Craigslist ad indicates this truck has a clear title. You would think that the title would include a model year.
That’s original cloth on the seat, and the bed sheet metal being so straight HAS to be witness to just 50k in the odo. 😳
Decent looking truck. Great color combo in my opinion. Would be really cool with an Alaskan camper.
I once bought a used drivers door for my Scout II in this very color combination. Weird thing was, the Scout in the junkyard was khaki and had nice doors in a neutral color to paint over. I didn’t have the tools or whatever and came back a few days later prepared. The khaki doors were gone and a pair of orange ones were laying next to the junkyard Scout. They were in nice shape so I took the one I needed. I only ever remember that orange peeking out my gray paint in one little spot!
I own a 1972 1210 3/4 Ton International Pickup and it looks just like this one. This truck can pull anything. I too ran into the problem with the bed rusting. Also, the front fenders rusted out which is what the hood hinges were attached to. This left us no choice but to weld a piece of metal to support the hinges. Other than that though it is a sturdy truck and who doesn’t love red power!