International Harvester Travelall

The Travelall was an early full-size pickup truck-based wagon / SUV. It was similar in concept to the Chevy Suburban, and made by International Harvester from 1953 until 1975.

1953 was a new model designation year for International with the introduction of the R line of trucks. International began using the Travelall name in 1953. The 115 inch wheel base R-Series panel truck was equipped with side windows and seats to make the Travelall. A new tailgate and liftgate design was available on the Travelall; however, side by side rear cargo or 'ambulance' doors were also still available. Two or three rows of seats were available. A Travelall name badge was mounted on the front cowl directly below the International name badge. A few L-Series trucks were also produced with windows and seats in 1952, but whether the Travelall name was used that year is unknown. Prior to 1952, International station wagon type vehicles were mainly woodies, having wooden bodies produced by outside companies. A few K-Series panels in the latter 1940s were built with windows and seats and used by airlines to move people at airports.

The 1953 through 1957 Travelalls had two passenger doors. Access to the rear seats was gained by flipping up the passenger side of the front seat. From 1957 to 1960, the Travelall had three passenger doors, the third door being located on the curb side of the body. From 1961 to 1975, all Travelalls had four passenger doors; by contrast, the Chevy Suburban was not available with four doors until 1973.

Travelalls were also produced with raised roofs and extended wheelbases for applications such as school buses, ambulances and airport limos. Many of these modifications were performed by the Springfield Equipment Company and were marketed by International.

Four wheel drive was available as an option on Travelalls beginning in 1956. Engines were International manufactured inline six cylinders or V8s. From the 220 or 240 'Silver Diamond' six cylinder of the 1950s to the 392 V8 of the 1970s. A 2bbl version of the AMC 401 V8 was used in 1974 when International's 392 was in short supply. Transmissions available included automatics, 3, 4 and 5 speed manual transmissions. The 5-speed was optional from about 1966 until 1973 and could have either a direct or overdrive 5th gear. A Bendix anti-lock brake system was available on later Travelalls, but was a rarely selected option.

The Travelall was last redesigned in 1969 with a more modern look, but sales declined and production of passenger pickups and Travelalls ended entirely in May, 1975; production of the smaller Scout continued until 1980. The company exists today as Navistar International, and continues to make medium and large trucks.

External links

* http://www.vannattabros.com/truck26.html
* http://mail.telebyte.com/allanw/binder/info/models/
* http://www.truckasaurus.net