Dana Rear End

Cars Of A Lifetime: 1957 International S120 – Old Faithful

If you read my previous post , and by now you surely know my tendencies for car-swapping, then you would know that a certain cupboard shaped brown van was overdue for a new owner. And as if by magic, the next love of my life appeared. Just imagine driving along (very slowly) in a vehicle you loathe, and coming across a vehicle you love sitting forlornly on the street. That is called opportunity! Or as it was called by its maker: a 1956 International R120 4×4 short bed pickup. Either way, it was destined to be mine.

There was a garage sale going on, and I stopped to see if anyone knew the owner of my next vehicle. The first person I asked said he was indeed the owner. We were off to a good start, and chatted about the truck. He told me that he used to drive it all the way to Seattle and back to Salem every week! Perhaps he was into abuse, but he seemed to be telling the truth. But recently, he had taken to fixing up an older L110, and the R120 had a cracked block at the water jacket that constantly seeped.

I mentioned that I might be selling my van and he asked what kind it was. When I told him his eyes lit up! Apparently, he had always wanted one (he was into abuse). I informed him that today was his lucky day. So after some test drives, we swapped titles. The International had a title that did not match the frame number but matched the body number. He said it had always been that way. Which explained some things: according to some sources International only ever made a very few prototypes of the R120 4×4 in 1955-56, waiting until 1957 and the new body style to fully launch their 4×4 truck in the form of the S120-130. Close enough for me though.