Vehicle Description
Stand out in a sea of garden-variety trucks with this incredibly
rare, searing yellow 1948 International KB-2 pickup. Known for
rugged do-it-all reliability, the International has a very unique
look as is, but this one's been turned up to 11 and augmented with
a lifted K5 frame underneath. Add in a few choice options and a
very comfortable interior, and the result is one of the most
interesting and talked-about vintage trucks we've ever featured at
Streetside Classics.
Most of the Big Three's late-'40s and early-'50s pickups have kind
of the same, appealing look with rounded corners and stepside beds
that recall the good old days, but this International takes those
design cues and puts its own spin on things. You should probably
get ready for all the "What is that?" questions you're going to
get, but there are plenty of design cues that make it easy to spot.
The big clamshell hood with its chrome trim at the leading edge was
an International look for many years, and the commanding horizontal
chrome grille up front blends seamlessly with the round headlights
for a very clean, yet interesting, look. The front and rear fenders
are curvaceous and very large, another International trademark
across all of their truck and SUV models for decades, and the roof
of the cab is so low it looks chopped, and it's highlighted with
that killer two-piece vee'd windshield. Everything was covered in
bright yellow paint, and although the finish is squarely average
driver-quality, the curb appeal is unmatched. The custom-built bed
was smoothed inside, the custom tailgate was louvered, and a clean
rear roll pan has staggered taillights and a recessed license plate
that looks both trick and suitably industrial for an old pickup.
And the bed is simply beautiful with refinished light-colored wood
boards held in place with chrome slats, offering a dramatic striped
effect that really sets up the whole truck for work and/or
play.
Despite the Chevy transplant underneath, the interior remains
International in flavor, with a simple tan bench seat, steel door
panels with matching vinyl inserts, and a very cool dash board that
follows the curve of the windshield. A full complement of
vintage-looking Dolphin gauges keep an eye on the revised engine up
ahead, but they all look appropriate in the body-colored dashboard,
and a black-rimmed sporty steering wheel adds a bit of civility.
And take a look at that insanely cool shifter that manages the
automatic transmission below - it's been topped with a custom
handle that looks like a loaded cylinder from a chrome-plated
revolver. How cool is that? Upholstery is in good condition,
including the matching tan carpets that are protected by heavy-duty
floor mats below, and the vinyl headliner above that follows the
same button-pattern found on the bench seat. Options are scarce and
don't expect any amenities outside of lap belts and the crank on
the front windshield, but that's how Internationals usually came.
Instead, you get a very comfortable cabin without any needless
distractions, that way this truck can truly be enjoyed on its own
merits.
To make this truck work so well, they simply dropped the body onto
a K5 4x4 chassis that includes all the modern conveniences, as well
as a stout 350 cubic inch V8 drivetrain. In true hot-rodding
fashion, there are parts from different sources working together to
make it reliable and fun. The block and valve covers were covered
in yellow paint to match the body, and a chrome air cleaner,
alternator, brackets, and aftermarket hoses all add a little bling
in the neatly finished engine bay. Power steering and power front
disc brakes make it feel confident in traffic and the dual exhaust
with glasspack-style mufflers sounds delectably racy. The TH350
3-speed automatic feeds a heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end, and although
there's a corresponding 10-bolt axle and pumpkin up front, a front
driveshaft and transfer case will need to be added to get the full
4-wheel drive capability. The tall ride height makes it look great
without hurting the truck's road manners too much, with heavy-duty
shocks adding to the comfort both on the road and off. Bright
15-inch alloy wheels add a little flash and carry beefy
white-letter all-terrain radials at all four corners to complete
the look.
Bottom line, this is just a fun old truck with a bunch of charisma
and easy-to-service mechanicals. Why not join the "dare to be
different" crowd and try an International instead? Call today!
