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?
Perfect old Cornbinder! Fix it, make it safe mechanically, put a seat in it and drive it until winter then think about new paint or finding a 401 and trans from a ‘73 Travelall (with brakes to match if course)..or you could just LIA (Leave It Alone) to use it for it was designed for!
Good thinkin’ 99! Then you’d have USS Unsinkable.
What a great solid old International!! I’m right with Nevadahalfrack, get it safe and running and fix the seat and have fun. Then winter, work on the body and paint.
If you like these trucks, you might want to read Truck: A Love Story, by Michael Perry. “Truck” is a memoir of Perry restoring his 1951 International Harvester L-120 truck. It also describes what it’s like to live in a small Midwestern town. It’s a good read.
Ordered the book through Abe Books.
This old Gal is in really nice shape. Wish i was younger what a great pickup to slowly bring back to her former glory.
A good ol’ truck. Worthwhile restoration project.
I’m kind of surprised to see it equipped with a Warner T-9 crashbox. By ’52 most trucks running a 4-speed were using a synchronized T-98. Oh well, the T-9 isn’t all that bad; I learned to drive with one.
Of course I could be wrong. Someone could’ve stuck in something else and just left the original shift pattern decal on the dash. You find out when you try to put it in Reverse.
Lots of parts for these trucks unless you’re looking for pistons; those can be a major pain to find although there are at least three companies making pistons to order. Brakes and chassis parts reasonably available. Door weatherstripping, window channels in stock.
Overall, of all the Binders that I sell parts for, the L-110 is one of the most popular. I sure wouldn’t push one of these away. Of course the short wheelbase is always more popular than the long wheelbase.
Incidentally, the L-110 badge tells the Series; the L-112 just tells you that the truck has the larger springs.
Good looking truck, geomechs, and your icon sez it all!!!! 👍🏻
Thanks, Nevada. I love old Binders and I always believed in actually working for a living, and teaching the kids the same thing. Hopefully, I succeeded to some extent…
Geomechs, if we change just ONE to the positive in our lifetime, it’s a resounding success.
I’ll bet the whole pot that you succeeded far beyond that, God Bless you.
I remember seeing these at the local Agricultural Shows. They and the AR130s were my favourites!
I came across a ’56 flatbed dump when looking at a piece of property. It was all complete and like this one, it had just been parked when it’s usefullness ended. I had no need of it, but I couldn’t resist and bought it. There is something beautiful about old trucks and something very satisfying about making them run again.
A quick online search shows rebuilt IH water pumps going for just under $500…worth the investment for sure. I’d restore the frame and all mechanicals, new interior but spray the outside with a clear coat and keep the wonderful patina !
You can buy a complete LS for that amount.
Water pumps for a SD/BD/BG are less than that. They use the same pump as a lot of tractors do, with the exception of a longer shaft. A spacer is readily available.
1974, bought a 51 for $55. Drove for several years before selling for $75.
I took a restoration course several years ago. The instructors highly discouraged clear-coating over surface rust because it tends to lock the top up and send the oxidation process down into the steel. They told us about color-sanding and polishing; or treating with lynseed oil. There was an article about restoring wheels the same way in Vintage Truck. Now, I’m not completely sure about the truck in this photo but they showed us a pic of some cars that were polished up with their patina and they actually looked good…
I agree with GEO’s and Nevada’s comments. What an excellent entry level vehicle into the hobby. Add some TLC, drive it, and possibly paint it..
Cool truck. Along with the Studebaker and Diamond T pickups, this is one of the nicest looking designs. I could swear that the cab looks just like Ian Roussel’s “Little Jewel” COE project truck. Sure is better looking than my 92 Chevy 2500 longbed.
A local farmer gave two of these to a friend and I many years ago. They were in fact “field finds”.
We never got either one to run so we pulled them back to the field.
Why? it’s not worth restoring its Junk hot in the summer cold in the winter
I take it that you are a Youngin’ with NO respect for the history of the USA!!!! I must assume that this truck is TWICE your age and still in good shape. It definitely should be made drivable again and made enjoyable. With patina in the vouge no need to paint it, just enjoy it at local shows, Cruise Ins, and C & C. Which can be done without a frame off full restoration.
You could convert it to EV and
Make Dog Water of it!
Funny how a proper pickup box appears to be so long on this truck.
This truck reminds me of a similar one when I was in North California in around 1973. A friend got it running pouring gas in the carb. Then, with the hood off, they continued and drove it that way with another sitting on the fender, legs inside the compartment, pouring gas in as they drove up a hill. Crazy, yes.
Fond memories of this International generation. We moved to the rural outskirts of Winston-Salem and rode Bus #3 to school every day in 1961-62 until it was replaced with a new Dodge. I liked the old lady, but as a Yankee back then, my opinion didn’t mean much. A city boy, riding a bus to school was a whole new experience. Liked Internationals ever since.
A comment in the write-up referred to an L110 vs L112 difference. For the IH L-Series trucks, that’s exactly what it was: a SERIES. The L110 model was a half-ton; the L111 was a “heavy half-ton”, and the L112 was an “extra-heavy half-ton”. Same basic vehicles, but with different suspension (springs, etc) equipment. For reference, I own an L132 (an “extra-heavy one-ton; has a 12,000lb GVWR).
2 spoke steering wheel?
Nice truck, worth the effort to get it up and running. Geomechs, great lesson of dealing with patina, love your avatar.
American Iron!