1949 International KB2 Pickup

Famous more for its farm equipment than its consumer pickup truck line, the post war Diamonds, as they became known, were always behind when it came to design, and offerings through a dealer network.  Not to say they were without the quality, but because of their focus on the farm equipment market, which they did well at, the consumer line took a back seat.   As a result, there are many fewer leftovers currently in the classic market, than there are from the big 3.  Can you say sleeper?

This truck for consignment is a great example of International Harvester's venture into the world of the big 3 automakers with a light duty pickup.  A former West coast KB2 version, now hot rodded and sprayed with orange, retaining much of its original charm and body, dash and bed.  With a Chevrolet drivetrain, a Ford frame and axle this truck allows you to reliably harken back to a simpler time but only in the use of technology, as the design is still amazingly beautiful.

Exterior
Nary even a hint of rust, the beautifully straightened exterior steel panels are minding their gaps nicely and bathed in orange.  A V styled tall grille with horizontal ribs and a chromed highlighter grilles outboard leads the way.  This is flanked by chrome ringed headlights integrated into the bulbous pontoon style fender.  Below, simple curved bumperettes protect the curvaceous fenders and small square turn signals flank the grille nicely.  The V shaped hood rises from the front and is complete with an International badge on either side.  A rounded cab roof sports black rubber trimmed windows and a rear window all rounded off with the cab highlight being the body color matching visor with a wide silver stripe overtop the oval windshield.  Chrome highlights the mirrors and stalks hanging off of the cowl and under the door is a short running board to be used as a step up to gain access to the cab.  More pontoon fenders grace the sides of the all steel bed with its 45 degree and rounded off bed side tops with its gray vinyl snap on tonneau cover.  More orange for the 15-inch steel wheels with their bullet pointed chrome center caps and trim rings are shod in wide whites with 205/60's up front and 245/60's in the back.  A peek at the bed area and we note all straight and dent free orange steel and black carpeting on the bed floor with the battery in the right front corner.

Interior
Swinging open the dipole designed doors, we can see a pair of bucket seats in gray tweed broadcloth being flanked by those simple orange steel finished doors.  The curvaceous original orange steel dash is upfront and has been beautifully restored along with its original but restored gauges, a few simple pull levers, a foursome of aftermarket gauges and a glovebox for the passenger.  Mounted to the bottom of the dash is a AM/FM/CD stereo by Sony, a fuel gauge and the factory chrome plated ash receptacle.  Fronting the dash is a tilt steering column with a 3 spoke wood rimmed wheel perched atop.  A small console rests between the seats and gives plenty of storage room along with twin cup holders.  Lightly stained gray deep pile carpeting floods the floors and holds the short armed shifter and parking brake on top of the hump keeps things bulletproof on the foot area, and it appears strikingly clean overall inside.  I'd have to admit, the orange painted steel that takes over this cab is done nearly as nice as the exterior finish.

Drivetrain
Under the hood, in a restored and clean engine bay, we note a rebuilt 327ci V8 with a consignor stated 1,500 miles accrued.  This is topped with an Edelbrock EPS aluminum intake manifold and Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor with a polished and orange ribbed air cleaner.  This polished and ribbed motif appears again for the valve covers and sets off the Chevrolet orange painted block nicely.  On the back is a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission and the reliable power is put to the ground via a Ford 9" rear axle.  Keeping things cool is an aluminum radiator and electric fan

Undercarriage
Underneath we see an orange painted Ford steel frame that remains rust free but does have some road dirt, patina and black overspray gracing its surfaces.  This orange is offset by a field of black that coats cab floors as well as the wood of the underside of the bed.  Leaf springs in the rear with drum brakes and up front we see an independent coil spring suspension with discs attached for stopping power.  Clean dual exhaust snakes its way rearward through the frame, attaching at the front to the white coated headers and sporting Turbo style flow-through mufflers.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, smooth idle, and off to the test track where it did very nicely.  Good smooth acceleration up through the 4 gears and I was rollin'.  Easy steering although its non power assisted, and braking was good and bias free.  All functions and amenities this truck has were all working well at the time of my drive.

A nice older pickup, straight lines and nice paint and with modern suspension and a reliable drivetrain.  Ready to put “your name here” and get people to pick up the phone for your business, all in the style of the late 1940's, and simple but effective workhorse in front of you.

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.