When it comes to American history and the influence the automotive industry had on it, no contributions may be as diverse and widespread as those made by the International Harvester Company. While International Harvester (or IH trucks) may no longer be popular, the name has left a lasting mark on light-, medium-, and heavy-duty hauling that is still recognized today. To illustrate their impact, here’s a brief look at the evolutionary timeline of International Harvester trucks.

Mapping the History of International Harvester Trucks

Agricultural Beginnings

The International Harvester Company was created in 1902 by famed financier J.P. Morgan. At its inception, the corporation was focused on producing advanced agricultural equipment. The initial line, for example, collectively presented farming machinery from several smaller brands—including those from the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvester Company.

Automobile Innovations

With the introduction of the Auto Wagon in 1907, IH gradually expanded its truck market. The company began offering a wide variety of hauling vehicles designed for both commercial and consumer purposes.

The company is credited with producing early versions of the school bus, as well as military machinery that was used in both World Wars, and heavy-duty construction equipment, including machines that were used to build the Hoover Dam. It also manufactured the Metro—a medium-duty delivery van that remained a sales success even during the Great Depression.

Notable consumer models included later versions of the Auto Wagon, which helped set the stage for the future versions of pickup trucks. The Travelall, born in the late 1950s, offered an expansive crew cab that was ideal for transporting everything from large families to long surfboards. In the 1960s and ’70s, the company introduced the Scout and Terra—early models of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) that could take on tough terrains.

Forward-Thinking Freight

Starting in the 1960s, International Harvester gained recognition for improving hauling capabilities with its heavy-duty freight trucks. The Emeryville, for example, used a cab-over-engine design to help freight companies transport higher cargo weights. Other notable models used for heavy-duty hauling and construction include the PayStar and TranStar.

The Navistar Legacy

In the first half of the 1980s, International Harvester’s success in the industry came to a stop, as economic failures and labor strikes prevented the company from growing sustainably. While the IH nameplate no longer exists, Navistar International continues the brand’s impact by producing heavy-duty hauling vehicles that are inspired by previous IH trucks.

 

If you want to learn even more about antique trucks, there’s no better resource to consult than Vintage Truck magazine. For more than 25 years, this popular publication has highlighted many important and lesser-known trucking vehicles—including IH trucks. This magazine takes an in-depth approach to this automotive topic, making it easy for new and experienced enthusiasts to learn about classic trucks and how to find and care for stock models. To learn more about subscription offers, visit this publication online. Contact the company headquarters in Xenia, OH, by calling (937) 767-1433.