The Iconic International Harvester Metro Bread Truck
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Hipster alert: vintage bread trucks and milk trucks are all the rage these days. Restomod vans that have been stripped down and slammed to the ground crawl like space-age snails, with a windswept look straight out of a sci-fi flick. Divco and International Harvester Metro vans are among the most sought after examples of the breed.
The International Harvester Metro Van was created by famed designer Raymond Loewy, best known in the automotive realm for his work on the stunning Studebaker Avanti. The Metro name is a nod to the Metropolitan Body Company, which built the Metro bodies at its plant in Bridgeport, Conn. The truck was produced from 1938 to 1975. Loewy’s other streamlined transportation designs included the Greyhound PD-4501 Scenicruiser bus, along with the Pennsylvania Railroad’s CG1 and S-1 locomotives. We can also thank Loewy for the Coca-Cola vending machine, among other iconic American designs.
The unrestored example listed on eBay in 2016 is a third-generation 1950 L Series Metro. It was factory equipped with International Harvester’s Silver Diamond 220 cubic inch inline six-cylinder engine, rated at 100 horsepower. The seller says the vehicle is intact with what appears to be the original straight six and manual transmission. The engine is not running, but the van rolls and steers. The radiator and shifter have gone AWOL.
The exterior is remarkably well preserved and the Metro appears to be solid overall, given the vintage. The seller states that it is 99-percent rust-free: “This van is crusty looking, but the body is solid with little rust. It does need full restoration though.” There is rust present in the rockers and in the lower portion of a rear door.
The paint has a lovely warm patina, with most of its commercial branding removed. The golden stars give hint to the truck’s heritage. Much of the glass is riddled with what looks to be bullet holes. “It needs most of the windows replaced,” the seller states. “They are flat and easy and cheap to replace.” The grille, while not perfect, is in nice shape.
The interior awaits a thorough gutting, with sheet metal and plywood that needs to be removed and replaced on the floors. Cheesy basement recreation room wood paneling covers the walls. The steering wheel, dash, and gauges are intact. The plywood driver’s perch is eager to deposit a generous splinter in the back side of an unwary driver.
With a clear title, this unmolested Metro is a fantastic starting point for a restomod van project.
This article was originally published on February 03, 2016.
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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.