Vehicle Description
If you like classic movies or are of a certain age, perhaps you
remember the familiar face of this 1947 International Delivery Van
pulling into your driveway every morning with a fresh bakery
delivery. Custom built with a full "Rustina" body on an upgraded
chassis and powered by a 350 crate engine, this is a wonderful
throwback to a simpler era and an iconic workhorse that's pure
Americana.
The International Harvester K and KB line of trucks was made
throughout the 1940s, with a total of 42 different models produced.
However, you can't argue that this KB isn't one of the best
iterations, the result of which is a great-looking delivery truck
with bulky rounded fenders and a tall six window cab up front. The
rounded nose and prominent grille are instantly recognizable and
this machine is no less practical or hard-working than its more
ordinary competition. We don't know exactly where this one spent
its working years, but the patina has been sun-scorched into the
bodywork for a wonderful effect that looks incredibly en vogue
today. It's got nostalgic bakery logos on the flanks, roof, and
rear doors, along with pinstriping on the hood, and you'll quickly
learn that taking this truck to a show brings more crowds to it
than a fleet of Top-Flight Corvettes. Up close you'll note the
original ornate grille, the big headlights, and simple sliding
doors, that all work in unison in what is actually still a
practical vehicle that could be used commercially or
recreationally. And we're particularly enamored with all the
awesome stance possibilities thanks to the Air Ride system
underneath. Take a look at that killer profile!
The interior is, of course, pretty basic, with a lone metal bucket
seat for the driver, a matching rear bench for a couple passengers,
and every other square inch dedicated to storage. I personally
remember our milkman driving while standing up and leaping out of
the cab before the truck had even fully rolled to a halt in the
driveway, and with the upright steering wheel and controls, it's
easy to see how he could do that so easily. The seats have
pinstripe accents on their backs, the floors are raw patina steel,
and there's removable shelving out back, so it's low-maintenance
throughout and if you've got stuff to move, this sucker will handle
it. The original dash still has delivery stops written on it, and
although the factory gauges are now inoperable, a set of auxiliary
units are installed in the glove box. A very tall, chrome shifter
juts from the floorboard and controls the 700R4 below, and that
awesome vintage steering wheeling is actually Kaiser stock that
fits in wonderfully with the theme of this build. Dig the
high-mounted emergency brake, the original door lever, and the nice
and cold R134a A/C system, a very welcome feature on hot summer
days. The cargo area is ready to go to work or play and provides
plenty of room to haul anything you need.
The number of engines that were planted under the big hood of these
International trucks varied, but that doesn't matter now because
the engine found here is a crate 350 V8. Torquey, sturdy, and
dependable, it's a good match for the delivery van and a big
improvement over the early KB's and their small horsepower
drivetrains. Thanks to an Edelbrock 4-barrel carb, an Edelbrock
intake, and an HEI ignition, this one is easily able to keep up
with modern traffic without a fuss and the engine bay is nicely
dressed with black Chevrolet valve covers on the engine and more
custom pinstriping throughout. Power brakes and power steering
translate to very manageable driving conditions despite this van's
large size, and shorty headers feed a custom Flowmaster dual
exhaust system that sounds fantastic. The transmission is a 700R4
4-speed automatic overdrive transmission that shifts great through
all the gears with ease and it spins a heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end.
A swapped-in heavy-duty frame from a '60s Chevrolet truck and a
full Air-Ride suspension mean this truck should last forever and
look darn good doing it, no matter how you use it. Bright chrome
wheels wrapped in 215/75/15 wide-white Michelin radials finish the
look.
Delivery trucks are seeing a bit of popularity in the market today,
and as one of the coolest ones we've ever seen, this is surely the
one to own. Vintage looks, more modern performance, and a lot of
great memories. Call today!
