The International Harvester Corporation, based in Chicago, has a long history in the truck manufacturing industry. They started selling light trucks in 1907 and continued production until 1980 with the last IHC Scout Terras. Their pickup trucks were popular, with production running through 1975. Some of the notable postwar models included the K/KB-Series, L-Series, R-Series, S-Series, A/B-Series, C-Series, and D-Series. Today, you can still find International trucks made by Navistar International, a company that emerged after International Harvester was dismantled and reorganized in the 1980s. It is now owned by the Volkswagen Group.
One particular gem found recently in a self-service boneyard in northeastern Colorado is a C-Series half-ton truck. The C-Series was built from 1961 to 1964 and included variants like the Travelall proto-SUV and Travelette crew-cab pickup. International Harvester was proud to emphasize that their trucks “hadn’t gone soft” like their competition. Designed by truck men for a truck job, the C-Series offered powerful options like “man-sized” V8 engines. However, this specific C-Series model is equipped with the base 240-cubic-inch pushrod straight-six engine, delivering 141 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque.
In terms of transmission, this C-Series features a three-on-the-floor manual, although a three-speed automatic and four-wheel-drive were also available options. Interestingly, air conditioning was not an option for the 1963 C-Series. However, the truck did boast enviably simple heater/vent/defroster controls. It’s worth noting that during that time, heaters were still considered optional equipment, and it wasn’t until the early 1970s that heaters became standard in U.S.-market cars and light trucks due to safety regulations requiring a windshield defroster that blew heated air.
Even today, it is not uncommon to find International Harvester pickups and Scouts in Colorado car graveyards. These vintage vehicles continue to be sought after by enthusiasts and collectors alike. The durability and popularity of International Harvester trucks have left a lasting impression on the trucking industry, cementing their place in automotive history.