If ever there was a time when I wanted to have a photo of the VIN and data plate, this is it. This second-generation International Travelall is listed as a 1962 model which it clearly isn’t due to the headlights and grille being from 1959 or 1960. The seller has this one listed here on eBay in Longmont, Colorado and there is a $4,500 buy-it-now price listed.
Between our truck and/or International experts Howard, Geomechs, and others, I’m sure we can narrow down the exact year. Nailing down the exact color is another question. I’m not sure if it’s a faded Coral Pink or Metallic Tan? I ran across an International color chart on the OldInternationalTrucks.com website and it shows the two-tone color schemes for 1957 and ’58, which would be too early since this Travelall has stacked headlights meaning that it’s either a 1959 or 1960, but the color chart shows a Tropical Lavender and Whitecap White two-tone that looks similar although it’s listed as being on the A-Line trucks. Could it be a late-1958-built 1959 Travelall? Howard? Geo? Anyone/everyone, help!
The 1961 and 1962 Travelalls had quad headlights but they weren’t stacked so this isn’t a 1962 model as they have listed. There is also a clearly visible “B-100” on the leading edge of the front fenders which puts it earlier than 1961 when they moved to the C-Line designation. Whatever year it is and whatever color it is, I’ve found that Internationals have maybe the least consistent and complete information on the internet as far as VIN decoding and things like that go. This one needs some rust work as you can see, inside and out. The split tailgate is wicked cool though and there’s enough room inside for hauling your Subaru 360 around, almost. Well not really, but a few mini bikes for sure without the rear seats.
It looks relatively decent (is that praise?) inside, much nicer than I thought it would. The steering wheel is cracked and the seller says that there’s rust on the driver’s side floor. They also mention that the “entire back section of the floor is factory wood and solid”, I’m not sure what that means. Have I missed something over the decades and these old Travelalls actually have wooden floors? There’s enough room for seven or eight of your friends or more in this rig. International added the second passenger-side door for the 1958 model year.
This Travelall doesn’t appear to have optional power steering or power brakes but if it is a 1959 version, it has the optional V8 engine which should be International’s 266 cubic-inch engine. As far as I know, it’s the only V8 that was available in International’s light line of trucks in this era. Unless, of course, this is a 1960 Travelall and then the V8 would have been standard. So many questions! Can any of you determine whether this is a 1959 or 1960 and then, what is the color?
I have a 1960 IH with stacked headlights and all of the 59s I have seen are single headlight systems.
This is the first IHC Travelall that looks dated and decrepit.
I guess its the stacking of headlights in the 1960 model is the enhancer, considering their ages.
Forgot to mention the ’61 model is superior in looks to even the 1960 model.
Instead of “factory wood”, perhaps he meant “factory good” when describing the floor?
I’ve never seen the football shaped tail lights on one of these. The ones I’ve seen are round. Obviously, there aren’t many of these around.
International didn’t get really specific on the year of the truck but relied more on the date that the title was drawn up. They still stayed fairly close to the proper year. I’m finding that even though the V-8 was introduced in ’59, along with the B series the “V” symbol on the model number didn’t make its way onto the trucks until 1960. Of course, there’s always someone who could make a liar out of me. The records for beginning year VINS are good until 1958 then the waters tend to get muddy. Now, Fort Wayne began 1960 with ‘FA58465.’ Unfortunately most of the Travelalls came out of Springfield, OH. The beginning ’58 VIN is ‘SA74583,’ but a lot of water would’ve run under the bridge in 1959. The best way to zero in on the year would be to obtain a “Line-Setting Ticket,” which can be gotten through the Wisconsin Historical Society or most Navistar dealerships (We get several Line-Sets each week for customers.). The Line-Set is the truck’s DNA and tells you everything that the truck came off the assembly line with, excepting the names of the workers who built it. They are the most accurate build sheets I’ve ever seen. It’s usually a $20.00 fee but most of my customers consider that money well-spent.
Now, for this truck: The color appears to be #1119, Metallic Tan, and #902, Whitecap White which were standard available colors for that era. There’s a fairly complete list of color charts on oldinternationaltrucks.com, which Scotty has already mentioned. Old Binders are becoming more popular, which is reflecting on the aftermarket which is improving all the time. Lots of IH Facebook pages, including Travelalls. There is no sheet metal available (yet) although there are some guys getting set up to stamp out Insignias and model emblems. One guy has started reproducing door hinges which appears to be a major task. Engine parts are reasonably available although they’re far from an SBC or a Ford V-8 to find. If you have a Delco distributor, you have the luxury of using Chevy tuneup parts. The Holley distributor can be frustrating if your vacuum diaphragm goes out, but I have been told that there’s a guy rebuilding those. The rear axle in this truck is likely a Dana which will still use the IH tapered axle shafts. U-joints are Spicer. Brakes are a bit of a challenge for the ‘100’ Series. Someone at Binder decided that the 100s only needed 11-inch brakes. You can get wheel cylinders, master cylinders, wheel bearings, wheel seals, and shoes but those drums can be a bearcat. But–there might be a light at the end of the tunnel there, as I know of a guy in the Houston area who has turned out a couple of 11-inch drums for a customer’s almost unique (1 out of 5) R-100 pickup. Now what a lot of my customers have done is find a ‘110’ Series pickup for a parts truck and use the backing plates off it. The 110s have ’12-INCH’ brakes and you can get drums (the same from 1940 1/2 to 1967), shoes, cylinders, wheel bearings, seals and might even be able to find an ATR. Inside, you can get headliners, weather stripping (everything but the rear doors) window channels, and vent seals.
Time to sign off here; I’m starting to sound like a salesman. Anyway, I’m just telling anyone who is interested in restoring one of these that they are NOT alone.
Um, whether Scotty knew it or not, he awoke a sleeping giant when it comes to vintage IH. I’d be a fool to try and add anything, except that it’s a nice truck.
Hat’s off to Geomechs, we’re darn lucky to have such an authority on this stuff grace our site.
Thanks Howard. I think I got a little long-winded there. Too much slack time I guess. Been under the weather for the past 10 days. No it’s not the ‘C’ disease; I shouldn’t have ordered the Brute Sandwich at Tomain Lucie’s, I guess. Back to talking to people come Monday—possibly. You know it’s amazing how you grow up around trucks and decide to work on them for a living, how much rubs off on you. As you know I officially worked for a GM/John Deere dealer in a village at a wide spot on the road. But being the only repair facility within 10 miles you worked on whatever came through that door. Many times you could go into the shop and find it choked solid with everything BUT what we sold; International, Dodge, Ford. Being just off the main highway we got our share of Class 8 trucks. You hone a lot of skills—become a jack of all trades; master of NONE.
Thanks, Geo! I found most of the ones listed as either 1959 or 1960 had this stacked headlight configuration, and the color makes sense. Thanks!
You are welcome, Scotty!
Thank you geomecs for the IHC info. My name is Peter Orbegoso of Lima Peru South America and a fan of Barn Finds.
I have a IHC collection consisting of vintage trucks, pick ups, travelall, farmall tractors and industrial engines. My grandfather was the IHC dealer in Perú from 1910 until 1957. I am missing some parts and wanted to ask if you might be able to help me find them in the US or provide me with IHC Club names.
Many thanks!
Hi Peter. Nice to make your acquaintance even if it’s through an enthusiasts’ page. To get in touch with me directly try; george.s@oldinternationaltrucks.com. I’m home, attempting to get rid of a bad bug but I’ll be back at the shop come Monday. In the meantime, I can communicate through my shop E-mail…
Some of you guys are extremely knowledgeable on Internationals of this era! I may have spotted one or two over the years, but these are scarce. Whatever year this one turns out to be, it looks fairly solid except for rusted out rockers and a ding or dent here and there. GLWTA!
One man’s decrepit is another man’s vintage. This is my favorite style of Travelall! IH was way ahead of their time.
Yup, back in the day when I was 15-16 worked for a milkman on Sat. and school holidays as a “helper”. They gave him a 50 Int. milk truck, had the I-6
and a auto transmission, “sit or stand drive” the tranny was a slush-O-matic, seemed like a Chrysler fluid drive or GM powerdrive. As they loaded these trucks to the front doors were heavy. This truck could hardly pull its load, of course,never got stuck in the snow. Had it two years and got a Divco.
Back in the early 50s International came out with its own version of the low-floored trucks. I’m not sure what transmission those trucks used but the super low-slung driveshaft looked like it was strung between (2) drop boxes, one at the transmission and one at the rear axle. Binder sold that concept through the L and R series but I’m not sure if it carried it on through the S; I’ve never heard any reference to it. I might add that I never saw one in the flesh; I only remember Divcos. But I think that Binder really showed some styling, even in the Milk Trucks…
The stacked headlights started in Australia on the AA straight after the AS
the single headlight never happened again here until the C line in about 1968
This Travelall sold for $3,900!