The International Harvester Corporation has a long history of producing light trucks, starting in 1907 and continuing until the last IHC Scout Terras were built in 1980. The company’s pickup production spanned until 1975, with various models such as the K/KB-Series, L-Series, R-Series, S-Series, A/B-Series, C-Series, and D-Series being produced over the years. Even though International Harvester was dismantled and reorganized in the 1980s, you can still find International trucks made by Navistar International, which is now owned by the Volkswagen Group.
The International C-Series truck, including models like the Travelall proto-SUV and Travelette crew-cab pickup, was manufactured from 1961 to 1964. IHC marketed these trucks as being tough and reliable, designed by truck experts to handle any job. The ’63 C-Series featured a 240-cubic-inch straight-six engine producing 141 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque. It came with a three-on-the-floor manual transmission, but options for a three-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive were available.
Interestingly, air conditioning was not a standard feature in the 1963 C-Series pickup, but it did come with simple heater/vent/defroster controls. Back then, heaters were considered an optional add-on, and it wasn’t until the early 1970s that heaters became standard in U.S. cars and light trucks due to regulatory requirements for windshield defrosters. Despite the lack of modern amenities, these old IHC pickups can still be found in Colorado junkyards, along with many Scout models.
The ruggedness and simplicity of these vintage trucks make them a unique find for enthusiasts and collectors. The history behind the International Harvester Corporation and their legacy of producing reliable work vehicles adds to the appeal of stumbling upon a classic like the 1963 C-Series pickup in a junkyard. The nostalgia of a bygone era of automotive manufacturing is evident in these old trucks, serving as a reminder of a time when vehicles were built to last and withstand the test of time.