- Full Frame Off Restoration - Originally A California Farm Truck - 6708 Miles Since Built - Corvette C5 Drivetrain - 5.7L LS1 V8 - Borla Exhaust - 4L60E Automatic Transmission - C4 Independent Suspension - Full Box Frame - 4 Wheel Disc Brakes - Custom Dakota Digital Dash - Working Air Conditioning - Smoke Gray Exterior - Custom Dark Red Interior - Bluetooth Radio - One Of A Kind Custom Truck
Listed here is a truly one-of-a-kind truck. Consider that International Trucks are not a common sight, especially those of the 1950s and as they were renowned workhorses that were often worked hard until there was no life left in them with few surviving to be restored, let alone be built into a hot rod.
This truck was originally a farm truck from California and was free from winter weather and salt-treated roads that helped preserve this 1957 International A-100 truck and is the base for this uncommon build. The frame of this truck was boxed in to reduce frame flex and the suspension was upgraded with front and rear Corvette C5 suspension and all-wheel disc brakes that were carefully fabricated into the factory frame. A new fuel cell was relocated to the rear of the frame with a custom fuel inlet. The drivetrain was similarly donated from a C5 with an LS1 motor backed by a 4L60-E 4-speed automatic. The intake and coil covers on the engine have been customized to feature the IHC logo and custom script. A custom aluminum radiator with an electric fan keeps things cool in this hot rod truck. The chassis rolls on a set of 5-spoke alloy rims wrapped with low-profile speed-rated General G-Max radial tires.
As mentioned, the cab and bed of this truck were rust-free originating from California. The styling of the International Trucks was very avant-garde for the time and the timeless design looks custom without any further modification. The builder wisely chose only to apply a custom smoke grey metallic finish to the exterior of the cab and bed and restore the factory chrome and related trim. Inside the engine compartment, the firewall and inner fender wells were massaged in smooth and painted body color to give this truck a clean appearance under the hood. The trunk bed has been carpeted and a vintage Coca-Cola cooler serves as a custom battery case to conceal the relocated battery. Underneath the truck, the original sheet metal has been protected with a light coat of rubberized undercoating and the frame and suspension are clean and well-detailed and nearly show-ready. The healthy LS1 motor rumbles deeply through a custom dual exhaust with an X-pipe and features stainless Borla Pro-XS mufflers.
Inside the cab has been tastefully updated with fully functional custom touches. The factory bench seat is a custom TMI split bucket seat with a center armrest and cup holders upholstered in a rich oxblood vinyl. The matching custom headliner and door panels accent the sporty seating, black carpet and floor mats line the floor, and all the exposed metal surfaces are painted to match the exterior finish. The custom Dakota Digital dash looks simple and almost stock until the ignition comes on lighting up the digital instrumentation that monitors the engine vitals. The center dash mounted A/C vents feature a carbon fiber inlay and the soundtrack for the cruises comes from a Custom AutoSound stereo with AM/FM and Bluetooth input ready. A custom tilt steering wheel is topped with a wood-rimmed 3-spoke steering wheel.
This truck retains that classic truck look, but with the well-executed chassis and drivetrain drives more like a high-end sports car. This truck is ready to cruise into your local show and will be sure to draw plenty of thumbs up! Please call if interested, or e-mail with specific questions. Thanks for looking.
