Old trucks are cool. Very cool. And better yet, they can be a very affordable way to get into the old car hobby. Case in point: this 1964 International Harvester C-1200 4×4. This beauty is located in Longmont, Colorado, and is listed here on eBay for the princely sum of $3,500. Many thanks to Larry D for the tip!
The International Harvester C-Series pickups were introduced in 1961, continuing in production through the 1968 model year. Embracing the principle of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” IH would make incremental changes over the years, including new grilles and headlight configurations, but these were compartively minor revisions– the underpinnings of these trucks would remain unchanged until the new square-bodied D-Series appeared in 1969. Several engines were available throughout the line, but the seller states that he believes this one is the IH 304 cubic inch V8. This was likely the top-of-the-line engine for 1964, as it was in 1963; the 345 wouldn’t become an option until later in the series’ run. Given the upgrade from the standard 6 cylinder, it’s a safe assumption that the transmission is a four-speed, especially when you factor in the Ramsey PTO winch with the addtional PTO on the transfer case.
So it’s time for the standard disclaimer: you absolutely should look over a vehicle in person before you buy, if you can swing it. Pictures just aren’t the same as putting your hands on it and peering into every nook and cranny. However, from the pictures, while this pickup is definitely not rust-free, it does seem to have much less rust than its location, age, and origin might lead you to expect. The major rust spots are the floors, with significant deterioration throughout and two obvious holes. It’s not Flintstone territory, but it is on its way. The bed, unsurprisingly, is also a concern, though the extent of the damage is less clear here. Aside from this and a patch of brown on the driver’s door, the frame looks amazing and the body panels don’t seem bad at all. Mechanically, the seller says that the motor is probably frozen, but if worse comes to worst, IH made the 304 for decades and it can’t be that hard to get another one.
There is a minor mystery here, though. The passenger side of the truck has damage throughout. I don’t think this is too serious– it might be possible to straighten a lot of those shallow creases out. But I do wonder at the extent of the damage… has this truck been on its side at some point? Maybe slid off an incline into some trees? While a little sleuthing might reveal more, it’s likely we’ll never know. Regardless, this one looks to be a solid start for either the International fan, 4×4 enthusiast, or people new to the hobby. Or maybe just someone who likes old trucks.
Looks more like a ‘65 to me but you’re right, the changes were slow to come. International made good, functional trucks that needed very little in improvement. Some say that they are prone to rust but I never saw any more rust on them than I saw on the Fords or Chevys. Parts are fairly easy to come by for this although brake drums are a challenge. I’ve referred a number of customers to a couple of specialists who are quite adept in reconditioning drums. Engine through to the rear axle are pretty good although if you need a new ring/pinion you may have to settle for good used. Bearings, no problem; driveshafts, no problem. Axle shafts can be challenging but I have had trouble locating those for a Chevy 3/4 ton too.
Wrinkled sheet metal. If a rancher owned this truck it wouldn’t surprise me at all. Get a herd of cattle milling around one at feeding time and you can count on caved in sheet metal. We sold a new GMC 3/4 ton to a rancher in ‘76. Within three weeks there wasn’t a straight piece of sheet metal left on it. We sold him another one in ‘80 with the same results. That’s the joys of ranching…
That giant 6 lug pattern always bothered me. Better not bend a wheel!
In all my years in the repair shop and on the ranch I never saw a six-lug or eight-lug fail any more than the other. The majority of the failures I saw could be attributed more to stupidity than anything else…
If I were to restore this truck, I would definitely leave the “Crazy” Charlie’s emblems intact!
Has to be on my All-Star List of cool shift levers.
My parents had a 64 1200 4×4 when I was growing up. This one is a 65 or newer, the grille is how I know it’s not a 64. The original 304 succumbed to lots of condensation in the oil and ended up being trashed. We then put my 71 LS5 454 in it and drove it a few more years. My 454 came back out to go back in the El Camino it belonged to and I gave the body to my oldest brother. That truck got a best mpg of 10, no matter if it was empty or fully loaded. That was a VERY TOUGH TRUCK.
These have reverse threaded wheel studs on the driver’s side, back in the ’60s me and a buddy jumped up and down on a T-wrench one night, we couldn’t see the “L” on the studs in the dark.
Funnest truck I ever owned was a ’66 IH. Long box, stepside, big 6 cylinder, 4 speed and 4:11 gears. Would only go about 70 mph, but it would tow your house down the road at that speed. Purchased in ’88 from the original owner, and it came with every piece of documentation. Rust free Montana truck. Not a bit of chrome on it; all painted trim. Gorgeous grill, as the owner had put a grill guard/bash bumper on it in the first week of ownership. I believe it became a drivetrain donor after I moved and left it at a relatives house. I’d love to have it back now.
“This beauty is located in Longmont, Colorado”
I assume this is sarcasm.
Definitely sarcasm. Beauty? These were anything BUT! I see a rust bucket, even in Colorado, a very expensive engine to rebuild, no windshield, etc. Can’t see any reason any “car buff” or self-respecting “truck buff” would bother.
My dad bought a 3/4 ton in 66 it was brand new and it had a 266 V8 in it. I remember the very low gearing.
Pretty high for a truck that needs alot of work. How about $600-$800 and you might find a buyer. Their alot not told about it. Get reasonable pricing . Because its gold color does not means its worth alot. Just add what it cost to make it road worthy ——and work put into it. Ask $3,100 you wish is all you,ll get from a reasonable person. The running gears is all its worth and NOT $3,100 BUY A LONG SHOT.
Pretty sure this is a ’65. The ’63 and ’64 had the egg crate grille, the IH badge on the hood was chrome, the standard interior color was gray (the only choice and therefore no choice at all) and they were still using the four-spoke steering wheel that they had been using, I think since ’57. For ’65, they switched to the vertical bar grille, the IH hood badge was slightly modified to having the “I-H” part painted red and black, the way it was always seen in print. The interior color was changed to tan (again any color you wanted as long as it was tan) the steering wheel changed to a slightly smaller “modernized” two-spoke design. I remember all this well because my dad was masonry contractor and owned a ’64 C-1100 pickup and a ’66 1300A low boy dump truck, both purchased new. He had previously owned a KB and a couple of R-line Internationals as well. I learned to drive on that ’64. My experience was that these drivetrains and chassis were as tough as anything you could buy. There are few duty assignents tougher on a truck than construction work. The bodies, however, were prone to rust out long before the trucks would stop running
Look up under the dashboard. I purchased a very similar truck (although a crewcab) many years ago off of eBay. It looked really good in the photos and was described as being in good overall condition. Once it arrived, I was shocked to find the entire cowl up under the dash rusted away. The fuel tanks were close behind. As much as I wanted to bring that truck back to a daily driver status, I gave up and sold it at a loss. I went back to Dodge Sweptlines- at least I know where those rust…
Look up under the dashboard. I purchased a very similar truck (although a crewcab) many years ago off of eBay. It looked really good in the photos and was described as being in good overall condition. Once it arrived, I was shocked to find the entire cowl up under the dash rusted away. The fuel tanks were close behind. As much as I wanted to bring that truck back to a daily driver status, I gave up and sold it at a loss. I went back to Dodge Sweptlines- at least I know where those rust…
A buddy of mine had a wrecker business and bought a one ton..nice truck, spent most of its days inthe shop, one thing then another, sold it.