Put out to Pasture in New Mexico
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Photo Credit: Dave Lennie
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I'd much rather be in the high desert right about now...someplace where winter isn't so hard on the mind, body and spirit. It must have been fate that I got an email this week from Dave Lennie, a friend, colleague and fellow gearhead who made my day by sharing some great pictures that he took a few years ago while visiting New Mexico. Dave appreciates old iron and can usually be found wrenching on one of his own classic Jeep projects. He's also an active member of the Mid-Illini Jeepers. The images he snapped on a desolate ranch in New Mexico many moons ago are not of all-wheel-drive Jeeps, a common site in the southwest. Instead, these are workhorses of a different breed. Dave came across a cornucopia of vintage International Harvesters, and a stray Chevrolet.
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
Here's what Dave had to say about where these trucks reside: "In all seriousness, the nearest spot you could buy gas or groceries was a 2-hour drive. Beautiful country out there. The ranch was dotted with what was left of old stone cabins from original homesteaders who moved out there to ranch and farm the land. These trucks simply outlived their usefulness and were left to rot, with a few parts removed from them I’m sure to keep a newer vehicle going. And in the desert, things rot very slowly. "
What a find! Most of us look at desert tin in a natural setting and immediately think of bringing them back to life. These old trucks appear to be in restorable condition and the superficial rust is likely on the surface and would clean up with media blasting. As for the snow, sure they get snow out there..but they don't get the brutal arctic body slam we've been getting here in Illinois. They do, however, get the occasional rattlesnake. Any project truck from the desert would have to be thoroughly de-snaked before you crawl underneath it to work on. Maybe the Midwest ain't so bad after all.
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
Here's a look at the classic pickups he photographed in the New Mexico wilderness, may it warm your spirits and help you think spring. Enough of my yammering, enjoy the photos!
NOTE: I'll do my best to identify the makes & models but if anyone out there has corrections or some background, feel free to chime in with the comments section and I'll update this post.
Special thanks to Dave for sharing them with us!
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1941-46 International Harvester K-1 1/2 Ton
Everyone seemed to like green back in the 40's and 50's. Most of the green finish on this post-war IH truck is still visible and the truck is mostly complete right down to the mirror, side-mount spare tire hardware, and wiper arms. After a wartime hiatus, International resumed production of their trucks in 1946 with a K series designation. Power came from a 214 cubic inch "Green Diamond" six cylinder that developed 82 horsepower. This one is pretty straight and fairly clean.
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
1947 International Harvester KB-2 3/4 Ton
Like vintage VW Beetles and Chevy Corvairs, old International trucks seem to multiply over time. Your start off with a driver and eventually you've got 3 parts cars and a shed full of spare body parts. This second truck is another '47 KB-2 and has been picked over, but not picked clean. This one yielded a bed, wheels, front suspension parts and trim. The engine appears to have been plucked from the chassis as well, judging by the shadow and the loose hood.
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
1948-1952 International Harvester KB-2 3/4 Ton
Beginning in 1948, International Harvester KB series trucks received a little more 'bling' in the front end. The side grilles were added, which made the trucks appear wider and a little more upscale than before. Note the tiny parking lamps on the upper grille sides, and the teardrop hood ornament which bends down the top of the hood to make it appear longer and more narrow. Combine these visual illusions with the understated side emblems, and this truck is simple elegance even in its current state.
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
1949 to 1952 International Harvester L-180 1 Ton
Another green truck! After production of the KB series ended in 1949, the IH L-series debuted featuring a one-piece windshield, and a more flush grille and headlamp assembly. This beast appears to have been outfitted with the optional two-speed rear axle allowing it to run a little quicker on the open road (plenty of that in rural New Mexico), and help the "Silver Diamond" OHV six cylinder live a little longer thanks to lower operating RPM's. Someone had a little target practice with the front clip and door, but for the most part its body panels are in good shape. The L-series trucks were a popular choice for fire trucks, school buses, and trucking companies since they were reliable and available with either Cummins or Buda diesel engines.
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
1959-1960 International Harvester B-110
This two-tone truck was the first non-commercial truck to feature dual headlamps and V-8 power for International, although its unclear which powerplant was under the hood of this relic. When new, this baby blue 1/2 ton would have been something special, a nicely dressed-up tool for a rancher to put to work from Monday through Friday and then head into town on a Saturday night to rustle up some trouble. How often do you see these at the summer car shows?
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
1947 Chevrolet 3800 Loadmaster 1-Ton
Debuting with fresh sheetmetal this year was the "Advance Design" series of Chevy trucks. This one appears to be a 1947 model due to the lack of a vent window and the "Loadmaster" name on the hood emblems. Mostly unchanged throughout its 8 1/2 year model run, these trucks are highly sought after today and easy to restore thanks to large aftermarket and reproduction parts availability. This truck still has its radio delete plate, and the longest 137 inch wheelbase chassis which was probably fitted with a flatbed. This truck was for working.
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
These trucks may have been put out to pasture for one reason or another: a broken axle, a spun bearing, or worse. The ranchers that used these machines surely got their money's worth out of them. Parts were likely plucked from one dead workhorse to keep another one alive, a worthy cause in such a remote place.
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| Photo Credit: Dave Lennie |
-D
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