BangShifter Chris Cabe tipped us off to this rusty lump of perfection that’s currently for sale on the Minneapolis area Craigslist. As I have been unsuccessfully wrestling with a brake system on my own wrecker, the thoughts of simply setting it on fire and buying another lumbering giant with a crane on the back is really appealing. The truck is listed for $2,000 and the seller says that it runs although we’re not sure on the operational status of the wrecker unit. Like my truck it is a twin boom ads judging by the amount of slack in the cables, it has not been used since the Eisenhower administration or thereabouts.
I am a sucker for classic International K and KB trucks. I love their styling. The huge front fenders that have a super exaggerated curvature to them are cool as hell as is the long nose, protruding grill, and split windshield cab. The engine in this truck is likely a Blue Diamond or Red Diamond International gas burner. The Blue Diamond engines were all sixers that lived in the 250-260ci range with their cylinders in an inline arrangement. The Red Diamond engines were larger and while also inline six plants, ranged from 300-500ci. The big 500ci inline six with a miniscule cam, low compression, and redline that comes in territory most modern diesel engines would scoff at has a yeoman-like sound all its own that you have to hear to appreciate. Think of a more pissed version of an antique school bus and you’d be getting there.
We’re sick people, but we want to drive this thing home. Not in the winter mind you, but we would really want to cruise this monster back home, probably at a peak speed of 50mph. Driving our current wrecker home a couple of years ago was our most fun gearhead experience at a blazing 62mph all in. We can’t imagine the thrills and chills that would come about with a 50mph drive that went for days on end. Stop mocking us. The asking price of $2,000 seems good to us, especially if the rubber is halfway decent.
Agree or not….this thing is cool, right?
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE SOME PHOTOS OF THIS STATELY 1948 INTERNATIONAL KB6 WRECKER –
CL AD LINK: 1948 INTERNATIONAL KB6 WRECKER
“Huge front fenders” ” exaggerated curves”, sounds like car porn. You need help Mr. lohnes!
I agree with Brian….they have an almost exaggerated, ‘art-deco’ look with the extra long hood & the tiny cab
I would take it home! Hahaha
Spent the afternoon at the local Salvage yard. (Cagles Salvage Muskogee) Seen a few old wreckers and an AUTOCAR semi with a crane on what was left of the rear frame. Someone cut the frame an took the rear axles. Saw lots of cars that I’d wish I could save.
Why have you not get yet? That is so cool, and just think how many are still out there, this may be your only chance to get one so cheap
Wants my budies dad had a weld ing outfit and one if these sitting outside it was a 1947 that was made from left over parts prior ti the war and my buddies drove a 47 chevy that was made of new stamps and dies always thought it was a neat bit of history just alike to original air cooled chevyies that that the factory sent to the botton of a lake for iverheating
My bad looked at it again it intwrnational still a cool wrecker and is own it
Brian dont do it. I am a guy who has restored large trucks. That needs a lot of work buddy.
Go for it. $2000 seem fair enough. Besides if you don’t I might and I sure don’t need another project.
I cant believe the fenders have a hole rusted in them. metal was 3/16 thick wasn’t it?