Buying a vintage farm truck from a place called Sweet Grass, Montana just sounds totally appropriate! The original purpose for light duty pick-up trucks was to serve as a practical workhorse for all the variety of jobs and duties associated with hard work, like farming, ranching and a multitude of trades. These trucks were a tool or piece of equipment to get the job done, not like today where it’s more about image and luxury. This 1953 International Harvester R130 one-ton truck is listed here on eBay. And the current bid is just $1,075 with no reserve!
This truck looks like it’s in good survivor condition. The seller obtained the truck from an estate sale in Canada where it was on the road and being used up until 2016. Under the hood, this should be the International Harvester Silver Diamond 6 with 220 cubic inches producing about 90 horsepower. The truck is currently not running and the shift lever for the transmission is said to be disconnected. There’s definitely going to be some mechanical work to do, but hopefully, there’s nothing serious.
The original seat is missing and has been replaced with a pair of bucket seats of unknown origin. The seats look to be in good condition but they are just sitting in place and are not bolted down. The speedometer is said to be damaged, the ignition key is broken off in the ignition and there looks to be a bullet hole in the windshield. So there’s some work to be done, but it does look like you could make this truck a very nice driver with just a reasonable amount of effort.
This heavy duty International is said to have a good solid rust free body and the whole truck has been painted at some point in time in what looks to be a basic flat black. There is a dent in the driver side door and a couple of dents in the grill. There’s also a hydraulic PTO driven dump bed. To me this is the kind of project where you fix and repair the various mechanical items, then you drive and use and enjoy this great truck. So this truck is selling to the highest bidder and it looks like this might be a good opportunity for anyone looking for a truck project. So, are any of you looking for a cool vintage truck? Here you go!
Like…..what a workhorse !
Keep the matte black finish. Don’t put this one up on the 30s !
I love it.
Where did this posting come from? I swear, the lineup sure changes. Again with the Sweetgrass. I simply must get up there to see these acres and acres of vintage trucks. I had a truck similar to this, only a 110 half ton. It rode ok, but this will send you into the roof and one-tons generally had low gearing, so 50mph will be about it. These are beasts to drive, and handle like a mule on ice. Next buyer , be ready for that.
Hi Howard. I sure wouldn’t discourage you from visiting Sweetgrass. It’s one of those border towns that never got a chance to get completely established before things started to change. Click on the link to see a short music video by a local singer, about Sweetgrass. It’s pretty good and tells the story quite well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cDSmBYnkZU As for acres of trucks, about the only thing you’ll find in healthy abundance in Sweetgrass is Danny’s collection of surplus military trucks and equipment, and they’re oozing out of every corner. The guys that sell the trucks on this page bring a couple down from Canada at a time…
When I was a kid, I saw lots of Binder 1/2 ton pickups but 3/4 and especially 1-tons were rare. The majority of the Tonners were split with Ford and GM, with Dodge and Binder bringing up the rear. It was still commonplace to see a tonner with a hoist (like this one) under the bed. Rough riding? Are those your teeth embedded in the steering wheel? I could still have a lot of fun with a truck like this. The first thing I’d do is lose the seats and find an original bench. The second thing to go would be the hoist. Other than that. Fix it, drive it and eventually give it a driver-quality restoration. It’s definitely not going to be a powerhouse with that 220 although that engine will surprise you. I wouldn’t change it because I’m not out to set any land speed records…
Yeah, I wonder how many folks here know what 14 leafs in the back, and probably 8 or 9 in the front, rides like. I think for any practical application, that would have to go 1st,,unless you actually plan to haul a ton of something( not recommended) I suppose, with the hoist, it would be possible to haul a ton of material. I just wouldn’t go on the road with it, with single tires on the back. The 220 is more than adequate for just running around empty. I remember with mine, me and a couple buddies wanted to see how low we could turn the idle down without it stalling. I didn’t have a tach, but got it to barely tick over, maybe 4-500 rpms. You’re right, no powerhouse, you can see the deformed gas pedal from being floored all the time, but couldn’t kill it. I’m amazed the parking lights are intact, and snow tires on the front seal the deal,,,that actually does nothing. I’d put them on the back, making duals, and get some regular ones for the front. It is a great find.
What a beast! This is a real truck, not the Cadillacs in disguise they sell nowadays. My favorite Internationals are the L and R series trucks. My uncle had three L-160s and an L-110, and his son had an R-160. I hope whoever ends up with this keeps it as original as possible. I’d definitely source a proper bench seat, but keep the hoist. One never knows when they might come in handy. :)
If it were 4 wheel drive I would own a new workhorse.