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Rust-free with recent paint and engine detail. Runs and drives quite well, with recent upholstery. Longer 125-inch wheelbase with 8-foot bed so it’s practical as well as unusual.
Today, if you’re looking for something a little different from the usual Ford and Chevy pickups, this bright red 1948 International KB-1 should fit the bill. It’s an ultra-clean west-coast truck that’s never been rusty, and judging from the condition of the sheetmetal, it probably didn’t work very hard for a living, either. It’s been treated to a recent frame-on restoration that gives it the perfect blend of flashy good looks, refreshed cosmetics, and do-anything patina. In short, you can take this one to Home Depot on Saturday to do your hauling and still have fun at the car show on Sunday. The bright red paint looks great on the curvy sheetmetal, and thanks to a recent color sand and buff, has a fantastic shine. With a barrel-shaped grille, it stands out from the usual brands, and during our photo shoot we had more than a few guys stop by asking what kind of truck this is—it generates a lot of attention simply by virtue of its uniqueness. International pioneered the use of an all-steel bed, which has been covered in spray-on bedliner material, and sitting on a 125-inch wheelbase, it carries an 8-foot bed so you can carry the big stuff with ease.
The interior is working-class simple, but that’s part of the appeal of old pickups. The black vinyl bench seat was probably replaced a few years ago and still looks quite good, the rust-free floors are painted (we have a replacement mat on order), and the simple door panels are painted to match the body. Overhead there’s a new fiber-board headliner that’s in excellent condition, along with a driver’s side sun visor. The gauges are original and they all work except the speedometer itself, so we cannot confirm the current mileage. Secondary controls are clustered in the center of the painted steel dash, and for ventilation there’s a crank-open windshield as well as an under-dash heater.
Power for all KB-series pickups came from International’s bulletproof 214 cubic inch inline-six, known as the “Green Diamond.” The engine bay wears fresh green paint on the engine, a correct single-barrel carburetor, and quite a few new components, including fresh tune-up gear, an air filter, and belts and hoses. Checking the block and the firewall data plate indicates that this is indeed the truck’s original, matching-numbers engine and it runs superbly. It starts easily with just a little choke, and has a wonderful commercial-grade grumble from the exhaust system, which is new. A 4-speed manual gearbox was intended for tough conditions, and first gear is probably superfluous today—it pulls away smartly in second and fourth is direct drive, so it can cruise happily at 50 MPH. The chassis is extremely clean with no signs of rust or previous accident damage, so if you’re looking for a rust-free candidate for fun or as the foundation of something special, you won’t find many nicer than this. The brakes are reasonably good for a vehicle of this vintage, and the original steel wheels have been painted black, fitted with “dog dish” hubcaps and authentic-looking 6.50-16 light truck tires.
A cool old truck that looks exactly right as-is, or could be the foundation of something truly unique. Reliable, fun, and practical, this International will cause a stir wherever it goes simply by virtue of its rarity—when was the last time you saw one? Parts are still plentiful, maintenance is easy, and with old pickups becoming the latest and greatest trend in the collector car world, it won’t be this affordable for much longer. Call today!
For more information and photos, please visit www.VintageMotorCarsUSA.com.
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STOCK/INV. NUMBER:
132213
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