This Old Truck

I’d like to establish this thread as a way to share older trucks, the history and the imagery. Something that is hopefully interesting, fun, and educational. My intention is to post primarily restored, historic trucks that either I or one of my "Truckie" friends have photographed. I am also trying to gain access to a collection of original photos taken in the 50’s, 60s and 70s by a retired driver that will add another interesting element to this piece. By no means do I take content ownership of this thread, everyone is welcome and encouraged to contribute. Looking forward to reading opinions, comments and seeing other photos.

The first entry to this thread is a personal trip down memory lane, near and dear to my heart because it highlights examples of the first two commercial trucks I drove in the late 70s continuing into the early-mid 80s. During my Senior Year of High School and while I attended college, I hired on as a construction laborer with a local excavation company. Over time I expressed an interest in driving and the company slowly introduced me to 6 wheeled (38k LB GVW) and 10 wheeled (58k LB GVW) dump trucks. Eventually pulling a tag-along trailer as well this job was the catalyst for my lifelong love of trucks and driving them.

The company I worked for had a significant number of International Harvester trucks built in the late sixties and seventies. Although the brand name is similar to today's reorganized "Navistar International", the original company is very different and began life as a farm and construction tractor manufacturer. The International Harvester Company (abbreviated first IHC and later IH) (now known as Navistar International Corporation) was a United States manufacturer of agricultural machinery, bus chassis, construction equipment, trucks, and household and commercial products. In 1902, J.P. Morgan merged the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvester Company, along with three smaller agricultural equipment firms, to form International Harvester. In 1985, International Harvester sold off most of its agricultural division to Tenneco, Inc., which merged it into its subsidiary J.I. Case under the Case IH brand. Following the terms of IH's agreement with Tenneco, International Harvester renamed itself Navistar International Corporation in 1986.

Reference these two links for additional historical perspective:

International Harvester History

Navistar International

Below, the 1966 International Harvester R-190 on the gooseneck trailer is a restored representation of the 1st, commercial truck I drove. This was photographed at a truck show and is part of larger collection. The version of this truck I operated was a circa 1968 model with all-wheel drive, plow attachment, 6-speed transmission, in-line 6 cyl. gasoline engine, and an 8' dump bed. Notice the rectangular tank just ahead of the drive axle. This is a “sander” to assist with traction on mud, snow, or ice. A matched sander is also on the curb-side of the truck. I have another photo of an R-190 with a dump body but unfortunately it's been misplaced.

Below is a 1974 International Harvester “Fleetstar” 2070A and a great example of the 10-wheeler I was taught to drive at the ripe young age of 19. The truck I drove looked very similar (also dark green) to this with the addition of a 14’ dump body. It had Cat V8 220HP Diesel and a 10-speed Spicer transmission. No engine brake. The truck in the photograph is from the same collection as the R-190.

The next two images are also restored International trucks from the same collection as above owned by Jim and Donna Wood of Newark Delaware. Jim's company "Service Trucking" still exist and hauls milk and agriculture products. Below 1963 IH V-190, V8 gas powered single-screw tractor with a factory integrated “schoolbus” style sleeper berth. This truck has glass pack mufflers on it, really “barks”.

Below IH Fleetstar 2000-D single-screw tractor and 32’ stainless milk tank. The tractor has a rebuilt Detroit 6-72 supercharged 2-cycle diesel exhausted through a single chrome straight-stack. For me the metallic white rims with red “manure-spreader” spoke wheels make for a very sharp presentation. Back when split-rim safety wheels were the standard, many drivers/owners painted the rims and spacer rings silver or a white metallic to contrast the base color of the spoked wheel. I rather miss this detail that eventually gave way to steel and/or aluminum one-piece wheels.

Will post other older, interesting IH truck photos in a future installment.

Sweet!

This is awesome G-Town! Thanks so much!

This is awesome G-Town! Thanks so much!

You're welcome Victor. I'll post several International Emeryville's shortly, 50s & 60s.

That was some of the coolest history that I have ever read on trucks! Yes please do keep those international truck photos coming they are so neat.

Here are some additional examples of restored International Harvester models from the 50s & 60’s. I’ve included both photos and You Tube video of these trucks under each photo image.

1961 International Harvester West Coaster RDF 402 daycab, 400 Cummins, Owner C. Meade Baldwin & Sons, Millersville PA. IH West Coaster Video

1955 IH RDC 405 Emeryville I with Factory Installed Schoolbus sleeper option & 1955 Fruehauf Fluted Stainless Steel 35’ dry van. The Emeryville Class 8 truck brand was named after the city they were built in; Emeryville California. Emeryville I Video

1964 International Harvester DCOF 405 Emeryville II Emeryville II Video

Emeryville Assembly Plant Link

These trucks are like totally boss! They are pretty tough looking! Thanks G-Town!

These trucks are like totally boss! They are pretty tough looking! Thanks G-Town!

Check out the videos...the West Coaster is bad-a** (first one)

Ran across this one at the farmers market here in Pompano Beach

This is obviously a guy that really loves his truck. Armor-All on the tires, looks like he details it at every stop. The interior was just as pristine (no pics of that tho).

I love these old COE's - even if they are a little too cramped for my taste.

Rick

Thanks Rick that is a nice looking semi there!