1938 International Harvester hot rodder truck
HIGHLIGHTS: – Ground up custom build – Chevy 502ci V8 engine – 8/71 BDS Supercharger – Nine inch diff – Custom paint and interior – Side steer – Power windows – Heater/demister – Set up for tow bar – retractable seat belts
This 1938 International Rat Rod truck is the result of a full ground up custom build. With a big roof chop, patina style paintwork and a blown 502 V8 under the bonnet, they don’t get much wilder than this one! The scale of this truck can be deceiving in pictures, its bigger than most of these hot rod pic ups getting around, where most run small blocks and 15” wheels this one has a 502 and 20” wheels but still looks in similar proportions to give you an idea.
You can’t buy parts for something like this off the shelf, everything needs to be custom made and fabricated. The cab is tagged as an International but has all the right lines to be a late 30s Maple leaf Chevy cab. The roof has been heavily chopped with the body channelled over the frame. There is no hood at all, going for an open engine look bay with separate grille up front. The side windows are now power operated one piece glass and there is a visor up front. There are some neat custom touches with modern door catches in place as well as the centre ridge on the roof which has been modified into a cool art deco fin up top. The tray is a full custom job with 40s Chevy tail light used as a third brake like and Model A style tail lights on the rear. All of the body work has been covered in a faux patina paint job in cream with red primer rub throughs. The wheels are 20” truck wheels with 6.00/20 tyres up front and massive 7.50/20s in the rear. Keeping with the big truck theme there is a set of stainless steel polished guards over the wheels.
The interior of the truck has been fully refinished and is actually quite large even with the roof chop. The seats are from old tractors that have been covered in a Tan but are built for style rather than comfort. The floors are covered in period style square weave carpets. The dash features custom gauge pods to house the full suite of Classic Instruments gauges and all of the knobs are new Socal switches. Continuing with the agricultural theme the steering wheel is also vintage tractor style and there is a big Lokar automatic shifter poking up through the floor. There are some neat features with power windows, retractable seat belts, electric wipers and heater demister fitted. There is an Alpine stereo between the front seats for tunes while driving.
The engine itself is a massive, 502ci Big Block Chevy V8 crate engine that’s topped with a Blower Shop 8/71 blower and twin Holley carburettors. Ignition is supplied by an MSD ignition system. The engine is paired to a Turbo 400 automatic transmission with Lokar shifter. The power is fed to the rear wheels through a nine-inch diff. The sound of the truck is awesome, with a tough blower whine and phat idle.
Like everything you see on this truck, the chassis has been heavily modified. The front end is an unusual set up with an I beam axle combined with coil over shocks. The rear end uses a four-link coil over setup. The side steer setup is a super cool feature with the steering box right under the dash and steering arm hanging outside the body for a cool visual. The brakes utilise discs up front and drums in the rear with remove power booster and vacuum pump hidden under the drum in the back of the tub. The rear end is set up for a tow bar to tow a small trailer, there is a flat 7 pin plug pre-wired and a spot to bolt a tow tongue and ball through the tailgate.
The truck has travelled 2,155 kms since completion and has been previously registered on NSW registration. This is a super unique truck and really a rolling piece of art. Be sure to register and bid if you can see this bad boy parked in your garage.
PLEASE CALL LOCKY MCCANN WITH SALES ENQUIRIES ON 0403 935 488
IMPORTANT: Vehicle information is provided to us by the consignee. We do everything we can to qualify the best cars in the Australian market to represent on consignment for private sellers however, they are still old cars and we can’t capture everything in the photos, we don’t drive them any significant distance and can’t know everything about them. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied themselves as to the condition and value and to purchase based upon that judgement solely. Vehicles may have been sitting for some time and it is suggested that to protect your investment, you allow to change fuel, oil, fluids, filters and inspect brakes prior to use. All vehicles are sold under standard auction conditions, consignment and auction vehicles are sold as is, without registration unless otherwise stated and there is no cooling off period or warranty expressed, written or implied. All sales are final. Independent inspections are welcome and strongly encouraged to help with your decision making.
Located at 2 Palings Court, Nerang on the Gold Coast. Inspections by appointment during auction and public openings/viewing as advertised.
