A Glowing 1959 International Truck, With Aged Patina and Modern Features
Classics
Culture
Builders
American
The 1959 International Harvester recently listed on eBay is a dream for vintage truck fans who want modern reliability. The new tech and LED lighting magically blend with the truck's sunbaked patina. That beautiful aged look can only be created by decades of hard use.
The finish is evenly worn yet not rusted through or covered with dents. And the truck was clear coated to preserve its well-used look - opens in new window or tab..
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If This Truck Could Talk
A close look at the ’59 Harvester reveals a Howe logo on the front grille. That indicates that the International likely started as a fire truck. The family-owned Howe Fire Apparatus Company - opens in new window or tab. of Anderson, Ind., was a major manufacturer of fire trucks for more than 100 years. Many of Howe’s conversions were based on International Harvester trucks.
The connection with Howe helps explain the two cab-mounted spotlights - opens in new window or tab. and chrome front bumper. Work trucks of the era did not offer those features. There’s also evidence of red paint under the hood.
The days this truck spent fighting fires are long gone. The rig now sports a cargo bed made from a military trailer, with a finish that matches the weathered cab well. The build also included locking storage boxes - opens in new window or tab. behind the cab on either side. There's another lockbox between the cab and the bed. Overall, the pieces come together nicely, combining practicality with a well-proportioned and businesslike look.
A Big-Rig Presence
The cab and the bed were mounted on a newer Dodge three-quarter-ton, two-wheel-drive pickup chassis. The new underpinnings came complete with its original six-cylinder Cummins diesel engine and automatic transmission. The swap fortuitously also included a switch to power steering and brakes, something this truck’s first pilot could only have dreamed of in 1959.
Two massive, 5-inch-diameter exhaust pipes - opens in new window or tab. with Flowmaster mufflers - opens in new window or tab. rise above the cab on either side. They provide the look of a big rig and look perfect on this truck.
They leave little doubt that other motorists will hear you coming. But if they don’t, vintage Mack air horns - opens in new window or tab. with an onboard air compressor - opens in new window or tab. will do the trick.
A Modern Glow via LED
Other upgrades include black 20-inch Fuel wheels with Toyo all-terrain tires - opens in new window or tab., a trailer hitch, completely new wiring, and LED lighting inside and out. The illumination includes marker lights along the bed and cab roof. Four large floodlights upfront ensure that fellow motorists see you coming.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.