1952 International Harvester vintage pickup

1952 International Harvester Other 1/2 ton Description

1952 IH L110 1/2 ton pickup frame off restoration completed 2008. Engine is Harvester silver diamond 220 completely rebuilt. Vehicle was mostly restored to original condition including 6 volt system, generator, starter, gauges, wiper mechanism, and transmission. The transmission is 4 on the floor; classic H with Reverse up to the right. The emergency brake is next to the stick and is a spring loaded hand lever.
During the restoration, we opted for new rims and radials and scraped the split rims original to the vehicle. A new wood bed made of ash was added to the interior of the truck bed. New wood runners were added to the running boards. Ash wood fences were added to the sides of the bed. The fences are removable. All glass is new.
The first gauge includes speed and odometer (currently 84793) but only 1000 since restoration. The second gauge includes engine temp, oil pressure, ammeter, and fuel. The dash includes a push button for the starter and a button for the original horn. We added a turn signal mechanism to the steering column. To the right is the choke and wiper control. The wipers run on vacuum pressure from the engine and move faster with vehicle speed. There was probably a heater and a heater control button but being a Florida truck I had no need for it. Probably pretty easy to add if needed. The seating is a leather bench seat and the back of the seat can be pulled forward to store items behind the seat. Seat belts have not been installed but there are multiple bracket locations for seat belt installation. The glove box is functional.
The truck comes with a complete service manual, a car cover made for the truck, and removable fences for the bed shown in the first few pictures. There is also a supply of custom made touch up paint and a spare glass window for either the passenger or driver side.
The vehicle runs very well but the buyer should know that these trucks were not designed for current highway speeds. Top end about 55 to 60 mph. Better to cruise at 20 mph and enjoy the waves and thumbs up from the people who pass you buy.
In fairness to any buyer the following items still need to be done to "finish" the truck. There is a small L shaped chrome piece missing on the drivers window. There is a chrome piece missing on the front grill. The drivers side rear view mirror is missing but the bracket is on the door hinge. The passenger side rear view mirror and bracket are both missing. See the advertisement pic to get an idea of what a stock L110 looked like in 1952. I have added after market rear view mirrors but they are pretty difficult to adjust. I have installed a magnetic mounted rear view mirror in the cab of the truck which seems to work fine. The sun visors above the windshield are missing. The window lever mechanisms for the passenger and driver side need to be adjusted. The windows raise and lower all the way but they move slightly in the vertical brackets. There are probably other items that could be done, but there are so few of these trucks around, that I am not sure what would have been original equipment.
This truck is a wonderful example of heartland farm Americana. When I first drove it I could imagine a midwest farmer using this vehicle to drive to town to get feed and supplies. I have been the proud owner of this vehicle in various stages of usability since we started the restoration in 2004. I hate to part with it but at some point you have to move on. I hope the new owner will enjoy it as much as I have. Please email me if you have questions.