Vehicle Description
GR Auto Gallery is pleased to offer this 1935 International Harvester C-35 Armored Truck for your consideration. This is a real piece of American history with one of the most unique stories to tell and began its life in St. Louis. Custom built for the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank by John C. Dix Company in Memphis, Tennessee, this is believed to be the first and last armored truck ever built by this company. Beginning its service on April 30th, 1936, this beast was used for 11 years by the Federal Reserve for running money and items of value from bank to bank, to the railroad depot nearby and even the post office. Weighing in at a whopping 9,200 lbs. and measuring almost eight feet tall, not only was this a work of art but a brute of a vehicle with all the intimidation you could ask for when traveling with a valuable payload inside. The body is fully armored with riveted 3/16" boiler plates, the glass installed is almost two inches thick, hand-forged blacksmith work was completed for every part and its clear to see that not one panel is the same as another but completed by someone with an amazing set of skills. Surely a very bullet-proof vehicle and with multiple brass gun ports from front to back ensuring that, if necessary, they were more than capable of defending their stash from within the rear cabin, this would have been one of the most premium ways to ensure your valuables got from one place to the next!
The interior is absolutely stunning with its solid oak finish throughout with benches for the workers inside, the rear door has a fold-down step to assist you inside, the front doors are hinged to the side steps so when opened they would come down to a reachable level and then retract when closed to keep its high clearance intact. Many little custom touches like that can be found throughout but one of the more unique finds to this vehicle has to be the power-plant which, based off of everything we know about it, is true to the car since it was first built. The Late 1935 C-35 chassis was very ahead of its time and offered the FAB-3 engine measuring 241 cubic inches, overhead-valve six cylinder, mated to a 4-speed gearbox with hydraulic brakes. This vehicle retired from the Federal Reserve and then became useful for the post office until the late 1950's when it was fully decommissioned.
Sitting around and waiting for a new home, this vehicle bounced around a bit after it's decommission. First purchased by a gentleman in Arkansas for $300, plans for restoration were in place but never followed through with and was sold again in the late 80's to another gentleman in Mabelvale, AR. Mr. Woody Cordell also had ambitions but due to poor health, He had to sell it as well. Finally obtained by Frank and Karen Howell in 1991, this vehicle was given every bit of attention needed to bring it back to its former glory and research on its origin began to ensure it was done right. The complete frame-off restoration began in 1991 and was finally completed in 2003. This vehicle has had over 2,800 hours of restoration and labor to bring it to the level of quality it is in today. The rebuild on both the engine and transmission was completed by Mr. Dick "Pappy" Vance, the International Harvester expert of Hannibal, Missouri giving it a solid finish for the next owners to enjoy. Back on the market in 2005, this vehicle received a bit more work and even the sides have been properly repainted with its white lettering stating the Little Rock Branch Federal Reserve Bank information, the dash is well finished with period correct gauges within and the drivability is fully intact! This vehicle comes with a wonderfully framed story of its rich history which includes news articles, vintage photos of it in service still and more. Call or email us today for more information and the long version of its history today!
To see over 80 photos of this car, including under carriage please visit our website www.grautogallery.com
Gr Auto Gallery, LLC and our sister company, Wheelz Sales and Leasing Inc. makes every effort to represent each vehicle accurately and with integrity. We also welcome third party inspections when necessary. Although we try to do our very best to be accurate in our description writing we are human and do make mistakes. Unless otherwise noted, All vehicles are sold AS IS, No Warranty Expressed or Implied. All sales final.
