International Metro Van - New Mexico

Location: Socorro, New Mexico, United States
Condition: Used
Make: International Harvester
Model: Other
Year: 1960
Mileage: 55555
VIN: AM122M27607B
Number of cylinders: 6
Transmission: Manual
Interior color: Tan
Vehicle Title: Clean

1960 International Harvester Other Description

Good running condition A-140 model van - gets lots of looks. Been with the family for about 10 years; used mainly for hauling equipment, lumber. Prior to our ownership, this Metro roamed northern New Mexico as it was purchased in Taos. Unmolested, no attempt to cut or convert - New Mexico van, so fairly well preserved. Super rare pristine front grill. And just appreciate the hubcaps if you can.No leaks to report, good brakes, new fuel pump, and reconditioned gas tank by J-B Radiator in Albuquerque. A real survivor with obvious scrapes, dents, and dings. But as many know with trucks of this era, body metal is thicker than modern vehicles. Bodes well for body shop work.Most importantly - oil pressure gauge works, also parking, headlights, and turn signals work. Comes with original replacement M-E-T-R-O badge letters (Ebay find) for eventual full restoration.
Issues to consider:Drivers side door roller needs repair. Best access if through passenger side door which rolls open or closes very well.Cracked glass on front windshield and driver's side door - fortunately all glass on these Metros seems to be flat glass with no curves.Currently speedometer/odometer is an iPhone app.Some rust along lower body and fender areas - just zoom in on photos to check.Battery on the old side. To get the truck fired up the first time, I usually use a squirt bottle of gasoline and rinse the carb intake as well as refill the fuel line from filter to carb float intake lineI don't recommend driving it home after purchase. Tires are old; have gotten this van around town and up to 4th gear speeds with no problem, but an extended drive up or down I-25 could be dicey. Back in the day when first purchased, my wingman escort car clocked the Metro at 70 mph on the flat sections from Taos to Socorro.
I realize some of you Metro enthusiasts can be fanatics, but for the uninitiated, I'll do my best to respond promptly with details during the five-day auction period. Can take more pictures upon request. Some historical background below on these trucks for the less well-versed.
The International Metro Van, made by International Harvester, is a step van, also known as walk-in or multi-stop delivery truck. This vehicle type was one of the earlier, mass-produced forward control vehicles, once commonly used for milk or bakery delivery, as well as ambulance services, mobile offices, and radio transmitter vans. Typically, they were 1/2-, 3/4-, or 1-ton panel trucks that allowed the driver to stand or sit while driving the vehicle.
Unlike their trucks and other vehicles, the Metro bodies were built by the Metropolitan Body Company on Grand Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a company that International Harvester would later purchase in 1948. Final assembly was then done in one of the IH manufacturing plants. The original design was by Raymond Loewy of Studebaker and Coke bottle fame. The Metro design was one of several with which Loewy was involved or created during his association with International Harvester.
The overall design of the Metro vans remained somewhat unchanged from 1938 until 1964 when it was redesigned by the in-house design team in the Chicago Metro plant to be competitive with the Boyertown and Hackney vans. The corners were squared and an opening hood was added for easier access to coolant and oil dipstick. An eight-cylinder engine was also made available.

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