Is this the finest original International truck of any ilk on the market today? Barn Find readers know I love trucks, and I try not to exaggerate, but spend five minutes perusing this eBay listing for a 1968 International 1100C Custom pickup, and tell me what you think. This outstanding specimen is bid to $7800 in a no-reserve auction. The truck is located in Nampa, Idaho. Its Tam O’Shanter paint is worn to the red primer in areas with a few dents and scratches scattered here and there, and it may have been shot with clear-coat for preservation, but it remains convincingly original. The odometer is completely believable at 44,000 miles. The Custom trim level means carpet in the cabin and ample exterior trim. That’s just a start – this truck has plenty of other special features.
The seller indicates that International’s top-of-the-line motor sits in the near-immaculate engine bay – a special-order 345 cu. in. V8 making about 168 net hp and a ton of torque. These motors are heavy-duty workhorses that will run forever, but you might need a second job to pay for its gas: with a tailwind, it might achieve about 10 mpg. The transmission is a four-speed manual, and it’s equipped with factory air conditioning. The truck drives well and was recently serviced – important of course, but take a look at the underhood insulation, and what we can suppose are factory markings on the panel. Pristine! That radiator hose might be original. Yes, it’s probably hard as a rock, so carry a spare…. The wiper washer bottle is missing.
The interior provides a mild reminder that this truck was driven – the paint is worn off the upper rim of the steering wheel. The gauge set is a cluster of jewels in that two-tone dash. All the fittings are clean and clear, from the mirror stanchion to the sun visor hardware. Dual buckets are augmented by a center jump seat. The driver’s side upholstery should be reinstalled and/or the foam renewed. But have any of you seen this stickered explanation of the Power-Lok differential still intact? The intricate and detailed photos show clean cab corners, though the bed has surface rust.
The underside is a joy to behold. Here’s another shot, showing the 19-gallon fuel tank. It’s difficult to believe this truck hasn’t been restored. As far as values go, the Scout and the Travelall have stolen the stage from International’s more mundane light trucks, though this example is so compelling. It might not break five figures, but that only means it offers a great opportunity for vintage truck enthusiasts.
44,000 miles? I call crap!
I’ve owned many of these trucks and still own several. If it had say 144K, the rear bottom truck bed corners are always rusted, and the bottom of the front fenders rust too. If the truck was never driven in any wet weather, then possibly it could be 144, but what are the chances of never drove in wet weather? I’m leaning towards the 44K
Beautiful.
I kinda think the odometer might be on the second time around but I could be wrong. I have a 72 3/4 ton with 72,000 miles and the paint is wearing through somewhat, but not to the extent of this one. The 345 gives 16 miles per imperial gallon which would be about 13.3 mpg American
Not sure whatss goin on with the commentary sections, weird stuffs…
Any-who. Look, this is like em new tangled AI generated art. Shiny patina is some contradiction I thought in my 78 YE ARS I would here.
Keep ‘em pugigeons (fat pigeons) off, roll up yer winders, can’t do with the dirt em pugigeons leave
It was just an error with the reporting system. All fixed now.
My own headline was changed by the boss!
44K, 144K, 244K—doesn’t really matter. IH V8’s were built to run forever. This is a very nice truck, and ver well optioned; the most important pictures are the ones I don’t see here—both of the cowl vents up under the dash. The Achilles’ heel of these trucks are the vents, which collect leaves and mud and then rust through into the cab. I just pulled the cowl off of my Travelall and welded new vents and metal in this summer—it was a full week’s job but worth every minute.
Very stylish interior and all of the accessories makes it very desirable if only it wasn’t half a world away
For whatever reason, this truck reminds me of Northern Exposure. Just needs a slide in camper.
I drove many of these trucks, the mileage in this 1/2 ton should be way over 10, maybe 14-16 at least. I had a 74 one ton tow truck, 345, weighing around 6,000 lbs. It would get a solid 12 mpg at steady 70 mph.
30 years ago I had a 67 with low mileage 3/4 ton that had only been used with a slide in camper v8 I don’t remember what size but the previous owner had gotten drunk one night and painted Judy on right front fender(his wife). when i got ready to move to Vermont the oil pressure was dropping low so I sold it and left it. 4 on the floor with creeper gear.
Out west these were very popular. Binder easily had 20% of the truck market, well into the 60s. A lot of trucks are being pulled out of the fence rows and brought back to life these days.
Net HP of 168? The 304 netted 180. The gross HP of the 345 was only 3 more than the 304 but I don’t immediately recall the 345’s net although it was more than 180. Maybe when the EPA started strangling ALL engines the net ratings were down but that was the 70s.
Rust prone? I’ve been around all makes of trucks for 70+ years and I can’t say that Binders are any worse than anything else. They ALL of them rust out the lower front fenders, the cab corners, and the hood hinges. I admit that out west they didn’t use much salt on the roads. But I have to say that the ‘68 International trucks are no more rusty than a ‘68 Chevrolet, or a ‘68 Dodge, or Ford. Now take a Tokyo Trash Can from that era and see how fast it dissolves. With the same road conditions.
This is a good truck. I sure wouldn’t kick it off my driveway. Parts reasonably easy to come by. AMERICAN MADE patch panels starting to show up. Engine parts not too bad although the coolant lines at the front are a major headache. You can get them bent at a muffler shop and spin out the ends from thick-walled tubing on the lathe. Some guys braze them but the best way is silver solder.
I hope this truck goes to a good home…
Sold with a high bid of $18,309, with 53 bids spread out among 17 bidders.
Steve R