I’m not really sure if this is a good idea, or not, but I’m trending towards yes. The price on this 1968 International Travelall, up for auction here on ebay, is cheap enough right now. That number is just over $4,000, with shy of three days to go in the auction. But there’s a lot that’s not told with this one. Still, if you’re in the neighborhood of Beach Haven, NJ, and you’ve been looking for a family cruiser, or a car to run a painting business out of, or to deliver flowers in, this could be for you.
This 1968 model represents the last of the third series of such vehicles, which ran from 1961-68. Rugged, this runs AWD with what is labelled in the ad an “1100” engine. Hardcore IH fans will have to tell us what that means in the comments. Sources indicate engine availability from a 240-CID inline six-cylinder to a 345-CID V8 over the third series’ life. One image shows clearly that this one is an inline six. The odometer reads just over 65,000, but there is no correlation made between that and the current drivetrain, which very well could be original, nor any commentary as to whether the mill in place even turns over. In fact, there’s no word in the ad about anything. Just a description and images.
The style is nerdy-cool, with a 60s shape which echoes 50s undulations in the body lines. The grill is all chrome and the headlights have chrome surrounds like you see in the VW Beetle, amongst many others. One cool touch is the bottom-mounted hinges on the tailgate—definitely a period thing. The color? Sort of a light lime, more than anything, though if you decide for a resto, you can choose a shade that suits you, I suppose. And that brings us to the question: drive or restore?
There’s some super-suspicious bubbling ahead of the front passenger-side door, and on the driver’s side as well. Same goes up near the drip rail on the rear passenger side. So by rights, you’d have to address these things, then do paint. But I’d be inclined to just take care of the trouble spots and drive this hulk as is. The rest of the sheet metal has a nice patina that you can erase down the road, but don’t have to fuss over now. Other images, like of the underside, seem to check out OK, with surface rust present but nothing too scary. The interior is pretty tidy, with some compellingly patterned seat surfaces adding a cheerfulness to the equation. How does the AWD function? See above re lack of narrative. How hard is it to fix if it doesn’t? You’d best check for parts availability before you dive in. But if you’re handy, and you want something more than reasonably priced, at least as this one is trending now, you should drive east to Jersey and have a look.
International, in those days, called their 4wd light trucks “All Wheel Drive.”
IIRC, they got their transfer cases from Dana/Spicer.
It’s just a normal 4×4 for the times.
For IH model designations, we’ll have to bring out the big guns, Geomechs, as IH had no rhyme or reason, it seems, and changed almost yearly. I believe the “1100” was a carry over from the old “110” days. I do know that is the BG 241( blue/gray?) and the last year for the “old” “Diamond” designs dating back to the 50s. In ’69, IH went with the AMC 232, in line 6. Horse a piece, to me, both incredibly stout motors. At the time, AMC was a respected name, and many swore by the 232, even though, most went with a V8. It’s a great find, in that 4×4 Travelalls were non-existent in mainstream society, except in municipal applications. Make no mistake, it will be an absolute beast to drive, the hot setup then, just think, ma,, we can get back to the cabin in winter with this, but we’ve come a long ways in AWD family movers. This, not so much.
Geo, your turn,,,
The 1100 was like a “heavy half ton” and yes, it morphed out of the 110 Series. The 1000 followed the 100 Series that began with the R-line. In ’61, with the advent of the ‘Round Bodies,’ Binder came out with IFS with Torsion Bars. That was available on the C-100, then the 1000 series, the 1010 in ’71 and then lost in ’74/’75 with the 150 which covered everything 1/2 ton.
Engine wise, this is a Binder Tilt-Valve, hatched in ’57 to replace the Silver Diamond. Interesting that up until 1960, the designation on these engines was ‘BD’ for Black Diamond (sort of). When the Roundbodies came out the American engine builders decided that they needed to be different from the Canadian engine builders so they decided to use the monicker: BG instead of BD. They took it a step further and called the 240 a 241 and the 264 a 265. The American engines were originally painted the same color as the V-8s: Harvester Red but there must have been a shortage around 1965 because the BG engines started coming out a cross between ‘Seasick Green, Airsick Blue and Bread mold Gray. Somewhere around 1967 IH went back to Red for the American engines and Black for the Canadian ones (which had been black since the mid-50s). Then they were all referred to as 240/264.
Another interesting tidbit: there WAS a mechanical difference, something I never realized even after rebuilding a few of them. The BG series had a thicker top ring. I only found that out recently when my friend at the local machine shop clued me in. I had always rebored them so the replacement pistons were the same.
THE AMC ENGINE: Two things killed the BD/BG engine: weight–over 600 lbs. and our fiends at the EPA. By the 70s the International engine was beat by the treehuggers. Binder also wanted a lighter engine to use in the Scout. Since IH had its resources more into diesel development it could spend the resources on a new gaspot. AMC had engine production capabilities that could accomodate IH so a deal was struck and the lighter Binders were powered by AMC. Now I might mention here that the 401 V8 was a little bit different. Binder had a high demand for its 345/392 V-8 engine in the medium duty trucks, plus the new 404/446 was about to take over. The AMC 401 was just as powerful yet much lighter so it became an alternative engine. Sorry but I still have a problem with Binder using an AMC engine even if it was a good engine.
Now this truck. It looks like it could be a ’68 model but that’s a ’65 grill. The side-markers could confirm it to be a ’68 but I would need to see the VIN. I might add that IH went to the 5.5″ wheel bolt diameter (from 4.5″) in ’67 so a look down there would confirm things. Overall, a good truck…
I definitely like the International pickups compared to the Travelall. Hard to find these days, and even like them better than the Scouts. This Truck in your photo is a truck guys dream.
Heck Dodson, the truck in the pic is from a collection in Canada, just north of the Montana/Alberta border. The guy is an IH dealer and has been involved with International trucks all his life. He has in the neighborhood of 65 vintage Binders plus runs a pretty good business on the side supplying vintage International truck parts. His dad was an IH blockman, and that probably got him his start. https://oldinternationaltrucks.com/
You are just a wealth of knowledge that is very impressive! Thank you so much for all your replies, it really does help a lot of people gain a true insight and not just speculation!!!!! Thank you so very much.
Howard: I don’t know that much about IHC light trucks; but that engine looks suspiciously like an AMC. Could it be, the seller’s description is inaccurate?
The AMC six was supposedly used from 1969; but in those pre-regulatory years, IHC didn’t honor model years. When a change was ready, they just did it, often on the fly. Run out of previous engines in inventory, switch to the new engine. No point waiting until a new model year was pronounced.
It does look a bit like the old 195.6, but as said, its the IH motor. IH did some wacky stuff and why it was difficult to get parts for them. They used commercial plugs and filters, not many auto parts stores carried. It was not unlike getting parts for a foreign car. That meant, you had to go to the IH farm dealer, and stand behind Farmer Green Jeans stinking to high heaven. :)
Definitely an IH six; the AMC engine had the distributor on the other side of the engine, and the exhaust was on the driver’s side.
I might be inclined to believe the mileage claim, since the undercarriage is remarkably rust free for NJ. I would need more pix to confirm though.
“Ex” drove a 3 dor of this era up to pick me up after I’d not seen her in 4, 5 yrs. No bronk yet (still an alfa, fiat, lancia guy) I just thought “Ol truck.” Yr later brinkin back several bronks I saw one some one had jacked & made up durable/capable. They had a similar fleet of IH “light duty trucks” that seemed far from that. The travelette (100B?) crew was a monster…
Might consider this truck for the price
alone. With new trucks and SUVs
costing 90K for a stripper, this thing’s
a bargain! That 90K figure is Florida
pricing and may not be applicable in
your state. What a Door Dash truck
this would make! I can see it now!
A killer navigation and radio system
along with enough lighting to find even the most difficult address and to
make sure that everyone can see you
as you drive down the highway. With
a truck like this, what more could you
possibly want?!!!
How is it a bargain? You can’t really use it in modern traffic. I think top speed is like 45 mph. Guzzler of gas and the ride is that of an unbroken horse. . I would top out at $1000. It’s a woods beater at best
Back in the early 70s we used one of these to explore the logging roads and mountains in Alberta and British Columbia. We went everywhere. Many of the roads were private government access fire and forestry trails. We stenciled a 4 inch number on both front fenders and one on the rear. We were never questioned about what we were doing. These are capable machines that will take you just about anywhere. Sadly my sense of adventure has waned or I’d pick this one up.
I owned five Scouts – one was a Traveler – from a ’62 up to a ’79. The six banger was okay for city driving and off-roading. I can’t imagine this beast with that engine. Can it get out of its own way?
I don’t think that gas tank is not stock. I have owned 3 C series travelalls and that tank with it’s square corners and hanging way down is not like anything I have seen before.
This thing is great. Probably the best International all purpose vehicle ever made. Make a few technical upgrades and enjoy it.
A 1963 Travelall is what I learned to drive in and have some fond memories. Pretty indestructible engines, and mine was also the inline 6 with 3 on the tree.. was a great car to go camping back in the day.