8K Mile Survivor! 1973 International Pickup
Stories abound of extremely low mileage cars and trucks that are suddenly discovered with no clue as to where they have been or how they ended up in such a suspended state. It’s even more interesting when the vehicle in question is a fallen flag like this 1973 International 1110 pickup truck which is sporting only 8K miles. Located in Ellsworth, Maine, it is available here on craigslist for $29,000. Another great tip from Ikey H!
I refer to this International as a “fallen flag” because International, now Navistar, has been out of the light to medium-duty pickup truck business for over 40 years, though Navistar, of course, is still very much a going concern. This example is referenced as a model 1110, which has a 131″ wheelbase and a front I-beam suspension.
There’s really not a lot to say about this truck because firstly, the listing is very slim and secondly, there doesn’t appear to be any issue with the truck. The body looks like new, and one of the very few seller comments made is that the bed has never tendered a load. It is finished in an attractive two-tone light green/dark green finish which is demarcated along body lines similar to Chevrolet’s newly redesigned 1973 pickup truck. The narrow white-stripe tires are indicative of this truck’s era, they are usually found today only as expensive reproductions. To state the obvious, this truck has obviously been stored properly, indoors, and not driven in Maine winters. The bed does look unused, there isn’t even a notable scratch.
Unfortunately, there are no images of the engine but the listing states this 1110 as being powered by International’s long-running, 345 CI V8 engine, driving through a three-speed automatic transmission and connected to a four-wheel-drive transfer case. We’ll have to go with the assumption that it runs as one would expect though it would be prudent to have concerns about proper storage maintenance and the motor’s internals. A 47-year span is a long time to go and experience only 8K miles of use.
The interior looks as you would expect, unused. It is typical for trucks of that era is that it has a no-nonsense functionality about it. The heater controls look very simple so I’ll make a leap here and suggest this is a non-A/C equipped vehicle. Of note, is the lack of headrests; passenger cars were required to possess what was considered a safety enhancement starting in January 1969, not so for trucks. The floor mats don’t appear to have ever experienced muddy boots! It is safe to say that it needs nothing.
Well, it’s nice, but $29K worth of nice? Especially considering the paucity of listing detail? Not even a back story? Talk among yourselves but this one is too rich for my blood; though I do have to admit it is very nice and definitely unique; you’ll probably never find another like it. Any interest?
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Comments
Wow, now here’s something I feel is worth the money. (did I just say that?) I’ve long been skeptical of ultra low mileage vehicles, but it happens. Why, just today, I rode past a local garage, and an immaculate ’63 Sedan deVille was out front. I had to ask about it. Turns out, it’s a local car, bought new in town, and has, are you sitting down, a remarkable 2500 miles! Mechanic says it’s the real deal, so it does happen. While IH was a fairly big seller in rural areas, farmers mostly, I don’t have to tell you what farmers do( or don’t do) to their trucks, so not much was left when the farmers were done with it. An amazing find. Looking for a stout 4 wheel drive truck? Look no further.
I always thought if you wanted a truck to last long, work hard and not worry about comfort, these were really tough. Especially that 345. It’s been said, that if there ever was a stout enough gasoline engine that had a beefy bottom like this engine to convert to a diesel, this was the only one that could take it. Not that I would do that, but this truck is perfect. Put a nice camper on it and an aftermarket A/C you can camp, fish or go hunting. It’s worth the money. Just do a few modern upgrades.
Very cool, I owned one very similar with 34k original miles – great truck. It was also green(weren’t they all?) with the same color interior. Always thought it funny that IH had some fancy brocade upholstery in pickups of that era, but they always seem to be framed by the utilitarian dash and steering wheel that seem carved out of block of clay.
What I found interesting is that this one has the fancy brocade seat with the bare metal inner doors. Usually the former came with upholstered door panels – actually upholstered, IH didn’t do the volume for molded plastic ones like GM, Ford and Dodge pickups had across all lines by then – while the latter was in combination with a plain vinyl seat (very plain, again IH didn’t do the volume for proprietary tooled-effect or plaid-printed vinyl inserts line the Big 3 put in their ’70s base trucks).
The only new truck I ever bought was in 1985. Trucks even then needed no headrest or back bumpers. The bumper was an option, headrests weren’t offered.
My dad bought a ’70 1200 series 2wd in 93 for $1300. It had 44,000 miles on it and was pretty mint. I loved driving that truck as a 16 year old. I’d like to find another and restore it.
$29K? That price seems a bit high, but perhaps the seller is expecting to negotiate. Sweet truck. I’m a huge fan of IH (especially Scouts) but this would be a nice vehicle for the ranch (if I had one).
The price does seem high. I think it would even be hard for a more popular brand of full size long bed truck to get that price.
Steve R
I guess maybe the seller wished he had a ranch to use this truck on too? 73-8k? what did owner do with it? ain’t a shelby to sell for big money! MHO love it other wise.
Again, even though it is green, it is exceptional. I am not sure if the asking price is reasonable or not. Way out of my normal scope, but I would pay that price for it.
Even better: TWO-tone Green! 🥰
Gives new meaning to “new old stock” NOS. then again price is probably about what you could buy a new base model pickup for these days. I never was a big fan of cornbinders, although I have owned International dump trucks😌.
God bless America
A friend of mine in high school had a yellow one like this!! It was his first vehicle it certainly didn’t look like this but I think was definitely a tough truck!!
Depending on engine compartment condition and originality this one might be worth all the money.
Nice truck, I guess the owner didn’t want to drive it cost to must to fix
Junk……
My 8th grade science teacher, Mr. Ennis had one and green, not two tone and no 4WD. (IN 1978) This is amazing and should go right into a museum.
Had one of these , been wanting another one ever since!
Gladly trade my King Ranch Dually for it.