Vehicle Description
1959 International A-120 4x4 Pickup
Sir Tow Mater, Tow Mater by birth, or better known as Mater, is the
deuteragonist of the Cars franchise. In the films, he is a major
character in Cars, the main protagonist of Cars 2, and a supporting
character in Cars 3. He is a recovery vehicle that is the owner and
only employee of Tow Mater's Towing & Salvage, located in Radiator
Springs, Arizona, United States, where he resides. He is a major
character in the entire series overall. In 2011, he helped the
United Kingdom intelligence service solve the Allinol conspiracy as
well as arrest many high-leveled members of The Lemons crime
organization including its leader Miles Axlerod. On 15 July 2011,
The Queen of the United Kingdom knighted him for personal service
to the sovereign by inducting him into the Order of the Garter. He
is Lightning McQueen's best friend and loyal sidekick.
For consignment, sans buck teeth and rust, eyes in the windshield,
however still being a very close relative of "Mater", we give you a
1959 International A-120 4x4 pickup. Finished in an eye catching
sky blue, retaining its original lines and charm, and being ready
to show or go, this International rig is ready willing and able to
take you back to a simpler time.
Exterior
The truck was called the A series because in 1957 International
celebrated their golden, (50th), ANNIVERSARY. It has a unique look
due to its high mounted headlights in vertical bezels, round lights
and of course the turn signals above the headlights. These are for
expression, and make the truck appear to be raising its eyebrows.
The grille is all blue and has a large central mounted white
trimmed insert to add some accenting to the front of the truck. A
white bumper below shows nicely as well. Rounded fenders and
quarters flank the slightly bulbous hood which is all bathed in sky
blue paint that is nicely applied but does have its fair share of
texture and orange peel. Trim-less fenders, wheel wells, and a
plain rocker with some back trimmings around the clear glass cover
the cab which stands tall and proud. A step side bed with its front
of the bed step up just before the exterior mounted fender. This is
a plus as it gives you just a small bump-in on the actual bed
interior, and plenty of real estate to haul whatever! A note about
condition in this back of the cab/stepside area there are some
areas of underlying invasive rust and previous body work that are
chipping off. There is even a hole in the body due to this rust
invasion. The bed is blue steel for the sides and bed, and there is
currently a rubber ribbed liner over the flat floor. On the back, a
simple gate with some metal panels and another wide white bumper
frames the bottom along with a single round tail light on either
corner. The high body due to the 4x4 rides on 16-inch white painted
steel wheels wrapped in 235/85R16 rubber on all 4 corners. Oops
gotta go and fish McQueen out of the cactus patch.
Interior
Utilitarian with all steel doors which have an inner paneling
covering of white steel which is ribbed, and houses the armrest,
door actuator, and window crank. Turning our attention to the
interior we note a full bench seat, which is stitched edge light
gray vinyl and smooth as silk. This floats on a black rubber lined
floor and above is a full metal jacket dash front which sports a
rectangular bump out with the speedo in the center of the factory
steering wheel. There is a cluster of round blacks faced gauges
surrounding this rectangle as well as a column mounted tachometer.
A few additional knobs and pulls are below and a centrally mounted
glove box is in. Above is a vinyl covered melamine piece in black
covering the interior of the roof.
Drivetrain
A flip of Mater's hood and we are greeted with a fully restored
engine bay in black. In the middle is a simple inline 6 cylinder
showing as a 240ci version. It is not known if this is original to
the truck. The block and valve coverings are in gold, and the
intake and exhaust manifolds are rusted with surface variety. A
1-barrel carburetor is on top with an open air cleaner in minot
form. On the back is a 3 speed manual transmission sending power
back to a 4.77 rear axle. Noted is a T140 transfer case for the
4x4.
Undercarriage
Slight areas of minor surface rust, all unremarkable, are noted in
an otherwise black painted field of solid steel framing,
suspension, and strapped floors. This includes leaf springs in all
4 corners. Drum brakes are on all 4s as well and are non-power
assisted.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, smooth idea and off I went plugging along on the
test track with smooth shifting, good solid bias free braking and
all mechanicals working during my drive. It's also a head turner,
particularly when I turned unto the City Cone Motel for some
afternoon delight.
A nice build and not oft seen version I can say with a doubt our
first example in my now long and sorted tenure at these Hallowed
Halls. A 4x4 version with design that just doesn't quit, and the
unique look for that front end. So this will end my description and
I'm happier than a tornado in a trailer park!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
