No Reserve Farm Find: 1952 International L110 Pickup

Sometimes the best barn finds aren’t hidden in pristine storage—they’re the honest old workhorses that were simply parked when their job was done. That appears to be the case with this 1952 International L110 pickup, which recently surfaced after sitting for roughly two decades. It’s now listed with no reserve here on eBay. According to the seller, this truck spent its life in northwest Kansas, an area known for its dry climate—something that seems to have worked in this Binder’s favor. It’s now in Great Bend, Kansas. The body tag indicates L112, while the fender emblem says L110, but both models were closely related half-ton trucks in International Harvester’s early-1950s lineup. Either way, it’s clearly a five-lug half-ton pickup that spent its working years on a farm.

The seller notes that the truck was in regular use until about 20 years ago, when a leaking water pump took it out of service. The pump was removed, and the truck was parked under a tree, where it sat until it was recently rediscovered. Despite its long hibernation, this International appears surprisingly straight. The seller points out that trucks like this often have fenders that are heavily dented or repaired from decades of farm duty, but the panels here look surprisingly solid and straight for a working pickup.

The Kansas climate also seems to have helped preserve the structure. The floors appear largely solid, with the seller reporting only minor rust in the cab corners. The bed, cab, and fenders all look like very workable starting points, whether the next owner wants a preservation project or a full restoration. If you are into patina, this truck definitely has a unique look.

Inside, the cab is wonderfully simple and utilitarian. The metal dash, large two-spoke steering wheel, and basic gauges are all still present, and the interior largely reflects its work-truck origins. There’s no upholstery left to speak of, but everything looks intact and straightforward to rebuild.

Before listing the truck, the seller spent some time checking whether to see if the engine would run. After lubricating the cylinders and installing a battery, the engine reportedly turned over and fired right up after a little gas was poured into the carburetor. Oil pressure came up immediately and it sounded healthy—though the seller wisely only ran it for a few seconds since the water pump is still missing. That means the next owner could potentially get it running again with relatively minimal work. Of course, some buyers may be tempted to go a different route entirely. Trucks like this often become small-block or LS swap candidates, but it’s encouraging to know the original engine still has some life left for those who prefer to keep things period-correct.

One neat period detail is the tow bar mounted to the front bumper. The seller suggests it was used the way many farm trucks were back in the day—towed behind a tractor to a field and then driven into town for parts or supplies. It’s a small detail, but adds some character to the truck’s story. Whether someone chooses to restore it, preserve the patina, or build a custom driver, trucks like this International are becoming harder to find—especially ones that are complete, relatively solid, and offered with no reserve. With its straight body, great patina, and an engine that at least proves it can fire, this old Binder looks like a promising project for someone who appreciates honest farm trucks. What would you do with this one—restore it, keep the patina and drive it, or drop in a modern drivetrain?