BF Auction: 1946 International K1
- Seller: Dwight W
- Location: Richville, Minnesota
- Mileage: 12,631 Shown
- Chassis #: 39507
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: Jaguar 4.2L Inline-6
- Transmission: Borg Warner Automatic
Custom builds allow an owner to let their imagination off the leash. The finished product can sometimes be extraordinary, which is undoubtedly true with this 1946 International K1 Pickup. Created by the owner’s father as a labor of love for his wife, it has spent over a decade in hibernation. The owner and his father recently coaxed it back to life, feeling the time is right for this gem to find a new home. Therefore, he has listed the K1 exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
There is so much to unpack with this Pickup that it is difficult to know where to start. The owner’s father created this classic for his wife in the 1980s, commencing the build process with an old Green farm truck. He removed the body from the frame, media blasting everything before applying Black to the frame and Red to its arrow-straight panels. The paint no longer holds a mirror shine but possesses a warm glow that is very attractive. A close inspection reveals chips, cracks, and other signs of deterioration. This might motivate the winning bidder to perform a cosmetic refresh. However, the overall presentable appearance and lack of penetrating rust would allow the buyer to enjoy this classic in its current form as they consider their strategies moving forward. The timber stake-sides and matching steps add a classy touch, as do the vintage 15″ Keystone Torq Thrust wheels. The trim is in good order for its age, and the glass is clear and free from fogging. It is worth scrolling through the image gallery to gain insight into the finer details of this Pickup and to discover just how solid it is.
I mentioned that custom builders can exercise their imagination on a project, which is undoubtedly the case with this K1. The owner’s father operated Ernie’s Sports Car Center, in Davenport, Iowa. His extensive experience with exotics allowed him to follow a left-field choice with this pickup’s drivetrain combination, which should provide excellent performance. The K1’s original 214ci flathead six and manual transmission were consigned to the bin, with the engine bay housing a beautiful 4.2-liter DOHC six that started life in a 1960s Jaguar Mark X. He teamed this engine with a three-speed Borg Warner automatic transmission and a 1960s Chrysler 8¾” rear end. The International retains its original four-wheel drum brakes, although they are improved by adding a booster and master cylinder from a Datsun Z-Car. This classic’s original flathead would have generated around 93hp and 170 ft/lbs of torque. However, Jaguar’s Mark X Specifications Sheet from the period suggests the upgraded engine should deliver around 260 hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque. The drivetrain upgrades don’t just significantly improve acceleration but also make this Pickup an effective open-road cruiser. The owner confirms that his father kept meticulous records and photos during the build, including receipts for parts and work performed by external suppliers. The vehicle has hibernated since 2013, but the engine has been coaxed back to life. It runs, although the rear brakes are said not to be functioning, and the Pirelli tires are very old, so it isn’t roadworthy. However, the owner’s father is happy to take interested parties for a spin to gain insight into what this classic can do.
This Pickup’s interior isn’t as radical as the drivetrain but is neat, tidy, practical, and comfortable. The painted surfaces wear the same Red that graces the exterior, with the bucket seats trimmed in Gray vinyl. The carpet is the same shade, protected by fitted mats. The dash houses a range of toggle switches and vintage Smiths gauges that the owner’s father collected in his travels. There is also a radio/cassette player for tunes on the move, a timber sports wheel, vintage air conditioning, and a roof console. The bucket seats will appeal to most buyers, although the seller includes the retrimmed original bench for those wishing to improve its versatility. The interior presentation is impressive for its age, with no evidence of wear or other issues. The owner confirms that the gauges and lights work as they should, apart from the speedometer. His father believes the speedometer issue might be due to a faulty right-angle drive from the transmission, which should be easy to trace and rectify. The A/C currently doesn’t blow cold, but the owner believes he has a couple of cans of R12 refrigerant that he will throw in so the winning bidder can perform a recharge. For those preferring air as provided by Mother Nature, the windshield cranks out as it should to admit copious amounts of fresh air.
I have always admired a carefully considered and well-executed custom build, and this 1946 International K1 Pickup ticks those boxes. It would have been a stunning vehicle in its prime, with the drivetrain upgrades providing performance befitting its good looks. The buyer could immediately undertake a cosmetic refresh to recapture its glory days or preserve the Pickup in its current form as an excellent window into the 1980s custom scene. The hard work is done, leaving the buyer to complete the revival so this gem can find its way back onto our roads. Whatever path they choose, the process will be straightforward. That is why this K1 deserves more than a passing glance.
Bid On This Auction
I-roll1800 bid $6,800.00 2024-09-26 10:23:08
tommybak bid $3,250.00 2024-09-26 06:27:53
Fuelish.Pursuits bid $3,000.00 2024-09-21 18:02:38
Steve Jarred bid $150.00 2024-09-19 12:03:03
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Comments
“So, whatcha got under the hood?”
“Aw, just a little inline 6..” 😳😆
Nice job and a beautiful truck!!!
GLWTA
You’ve got to love good craftsmanship like this. Unique, simple, maybe not including the Jag engine, and probably a fun driver.
What a neat little cornbinder. Dare to be different.
I can say without any reservation, it’s the most unusual combination I’ve seen. Someone did a lot of work on something that may have limited appeal. I don’t remember many making a hot rod out of a K model, but this country is, or was, limited only by someones imagination. What ever happened to that?
On a more somber note, remember the guy that had the Kaw 650 LTD I mentioned? He was one of my best friends, motorcycling, snowmobiling, trucking, and he also liked vintage pickups. After I got my Diamond T, he found 2 K models, I think he paid $100 for both in the 80s. We dragged them home and restoration began. Sadly, he died at 47 on the operating table for a minor surgery, never finished the truck, and we never got to be “retired” together.
I like original rigs, including IHs. It’s OK, I like driving 45. 😏 However, I have to admit that this is a creative build. I get the tacky sign, which would ostensibly allow this rig to be written off as advertising. (At least they can be easily removed.) I’m warming to the vintage wheels- but the stupid skinny whitewalls have to go!
I’d definitely take the original seat with me, maybe I’d swap it in, maybe not. Other than that, give ‘er a good wax and polish, and drive it!
LOVIN it thanks Howard A. I was 5 years old in 1937 when I first drove an International on the ranch where our orphanage was. Black fenders Read body stake bed. YES , if I know what it’s going for, I will do my best to own it.
For someone who isn’t a big fan of resto-mods, I have to say that this is well done. I do have to raise my eyebrows at the sight of a Jag engine under the hood, but that’s a sure way to say that you’re not likely to encounter another one like it at the swap meet.
When you look at the truck itself and not pay attention to the wheels or what’s under the hood, it’s the same as a lot of trucks I’ve sold parts for. K/KB-1, K/KB-2, or even K/KB-3 trucks are very popular right now. Personally I would’ve chosen another color other than red. This one’s a little bit light for Harvester Red but it’s still red. I’d have chosen something else but then, it isn’t my truck.
I actually wouldn’t kick it off my driveway but it would be hard to say how long I’d keep that Jag powertrain in there. I’d put something else with a single carb (and less oil leaks) in that bay. And if the original engine/transmission was available I’d tote that along. But that’s me.
I’d take the yellow one.
I like it, except for that straight front axle and no power steering, with that engine a person might be tempted to drive this truck upwards of 70 MPH or more and that axle and steering might prove to be challenging ! Creative and unique build, wonder if the wife liked it ?
No need to be turned off by manual steering anymore. Electric power steering is now very easy to add to older rigs. No belts, no hydraulic lines, just the sacrificial cutting of the steering shaft ( buy a used one if you want to keep an original). Not terribly expensive compared to hydraulic PS either.
A Jag 4.2 is a marvelous performing engine and not hard to maintain if you have the time to educate yourself on how it and the carbs work. This truck is worth far more than where it is currently bid. GLWTA
VERY surprised it still available. I’m waiting for my 1st big check from my books, THEN OBOY! Wonder if Hemmings will sell my 2012 FWD 2 door short bed Silverado??
“Man, this old truck starts up every time!”
“Well… Lets put an old British motor in it to put a stop to that madness!”
“Hold my beer”
Maybe they put in Lucas electrics. What did they say? “If Lucas made guns, wars wouldn’t start either…”
Wow, the spectical of that Jag motor in there stopped me. He showed some determination in getting that to work. Good looking rig even if the wheels make it a little dingey.
I’m really quite shocked at the lack of comments and bids thus far, seemingly showing a lack of interest. As I’m sure the seller is as well. Things always pick up towards the end of auctions, however.
Kudos to the seller on their vision, craftmanship and fairly thorough presentation here. I think videos, especially of it running and driving would’ve been extremely helpful and maybe sharing photos of any paperwork and of the build process.
What will become of it if it doesn’t happen to sell here? Try again with a relist I hope? Best of luck!
This one tugged at my heart strings! From my earliest memories, my Dad drove a red 1948 KB1with black cattle frames on the bed. We raised cattle up until 1976, thus the frames. I remember riding with Dad to the farm hundreds of times. As he drove, I would stand next to him on the green naugahyde seat with his right arm around me. He would reach through the huge original steering wheel with his left arm and shift the floor mounted transmission. There was NO WAY he would ever take his right arm out from around his little tow headed boy!