International Fleetstar: the vocational heavy truck

The International Fleetstar was a heavy-duty conventional truck produced by International Harvester between 1962 and 1977. It was the first International line designed specifically for vocational use, slotted above the Loadstar and below the Paystar and Transtar, and it was replaced by the S series in 1977.

International Fleetstar at a glance

Based on one source (English Wikipedia).

History of the International Fleetstar

A truck for fleet work

The Fleetstar was introduced in 1962 and stayed in production until 1977. It was the first truck line International designed specifically for vocational use, meaning construction, delivery and other working roles rather than long-haul haulage. It was slotted above the medium-duty Loadstar and below the Paystar severe-service and Transtar conventional ranges that came after it. Buyers could choose a straight truck or a semitractor, with single or tandem rear axles, and the range ran from the 1900 to the 2100 model. Gross vehicle weights went from 27,500 to 60,920 lb, and all models used ladder frames with three standard wheelbases, although early tandems had their own separate wheelbases. The cabs came from the Loadstar and pickup “C” series at first, with the newer “D” series cab appearing later and overlapping with it.

Simple and hard-working

The Fleetstar was deliberately straightforward: stubby nose, short turning circle, and frames with large flanges and great strength. It was larger than the Loadstar, with bigger Cummins, Detroit Diesel and International Harvester engines, and larger frames and axles. Its name described its market, since many were bought as fleet trucks and lacked the trim and comfort of the custom Transtar. A construction package was offered, although it was overshadowed by the smaller Loadstar and the larger Paystar. Many Fleetstars were converted after their haulage years into stake beds, vans or dump trucks, and plenty survived with more than a million miles on the odometer. Gasoline models were rated at 55,000 lb gross combination weight and diesels at 79,000 lb. Most had five-speed gearboxes, often with a two-speed rear axle, a six-speed automatic was sometimes specified, and heavy-duty diesels came with vendor transmissions of up to thirteen speeds.

Replacement

In 1977 International Harvester introduced the S series, which consolidated the Fleetstar and Loadstar into a single range and replaced the Fleetstar first. The closest equivalent in the current International line is the HV, sold earlier as the WorkStar.

Design and features

• Vocational design: the first International line aimed specifically at construction and fleet work.
• Wide range: models from the 1900 to the 2100, with gross vehicle weights from 27,500 to 60,920 lb.
• Straight or tractor: available as a rigid truck or a semitractor, with single or tandem axles.
• Simple engineering: strong ladder frames, short noses and easy maintenance.
• Long service life: many examples were converted to other work and ran past a million miles.

International Fleetstar versions

• 1900 and 2000: the lighter models of the range.
• 2010, 2010A and 2050: mid-range versions with a choice of petrol and mid-range diesel engines.
• 2070 and 2100: heavier models with heavy-duty diesels.
• Semi-tractor: tractor unit version with a 79,000 lb gross combination rating on diesel.
• Construction package: a special specification for building-site work.

The Fleetstar sat above the Loadstar and was replaced by the International S series; its modern descendant is the WorkStar. More trucks are in the International collection.

Sources

• International Fleetstar, English Wikipedia: models, weights, engines, replacement