The International R series arrived in 1953 as a development of the L series. It marked two firsts: the IH “tractor” grille emblem on International road vehicles, and factory-built four-wheel drive. It ran from light pickups to tandem-axle semi-tractors.
International R series at a glance
| Maker | International Harvester |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1953 |
| Predecessor | International L series |
| Light-duty models | R-100 (from 1954) and R-110 to R-130 |
| Medium-duty models | R-140 to R-180 |
| Heavy-duty models | R-190 to R-220, plus D, F, H and RD variants |
| Wheelbases, light trucks | 115 and 127 in |
| Engines | Silver Diamond 220 and 240, Super Blue Diamond 269, Super Black Diamond 282 |
| Power | 100–130 hp depending on model |
| Firsts | IH tractor grille emblem, factory four-wheel drive |
| Light and medium replaced by | S series in 1955 |
| Heavy-duty replaced by | Paystar in 1972 |
Written from the English Wikipedia article on the R series, a single source.
History of the International R series
The R series was introduced in 1953 as a further development of the L series, and it kept the cab of its predecessor. Two changes mark it out. It was the first International road vehicle to wear the IH “tractor” grille emblem, and it brought four-wheel drive into the factory catalogue — earlier 4×4 trucks had been conversions, whether by International itself or by outside firms. The range was also the point at which diesel engines began to spread more widely through International’s trucks.
The light-duty models ran from the R-110 to the R-130 and included pickups, panel trucks and chassis-cab vehicles; the R-130 was the chassis-cab. The grille was simplified in the move from the L series, becoming body-coloured with two large horizontal slots. Light pickups came on 115 and 127-inch wheelbases with the Silver Diamond 220 inline-six, 100 horsepower and a three-speed manual gearbox. For 1954 the R-100 joined the range, priced 60 dollars below the R-110, with different brakes and suspension tuning and a retuned SD-220 making 104 horsepower. An overdrive manual gearbox and a three-speed automatic — a version of the GM Hydramatic — were new options, as was power steering. The Metro van and the new Travelall wagon followed the R-series mechanical layout.
The medium-duty trucks, the R-140 to R-180, were chassis-cab conventionals and also formed the basis of the “Schoolmaster” cowled bus chassis. The Loadstar name reappeared here, denoting the highest-capacity version of each family. For 1953 International introduced factory-produced four-wheel drive for the first time, in the R-140 and R-160. Engines varied by model: the R-140 and R-150 used the SD-220, the R-160 a 108 horsepower SD-240, the R-170 the Super Blue Diamond 269 from the L series with 101 horsepower, and the R-180 the 130 horsepower Super Black Diamond 282, also available as an option on the R-170.
Above them sat a whole family of heavy-duty models. Alongside the standard R-190, R-200, R-210 and R-220 conventionals, a “D” meant a diesel engine, an “F” tandem rear axles and an “H” a heavy-duty model, while the R-306 was built for fire engines and the long-nosed RD-305 and RD-405 took Cummins diesels. The RC, RDC and RDFC models were cab-overs derived from the conventional trucks. Production in 1953 alone came to 136,938 trucks including Canadian output. During 1955 the light and medium-duty models were renamed the S series, and the heavy-duty R series carried on in various forms until 1972, when the Paystar replaced it. Along the way the R-series cab-over became the DCO-400 “Emeryville” tilt cab in 1957, and the construction models were consolidated into the F series in 1960 and then the Fleetstar.
Design and features
- Factory four-wheel drive: offered for the first time in the R-140 and R-160.
- Tractor grille emblem: the IH badge that later became familiar on International trucks.
- Simplified grille: body-coloured with two large horizontal slots.
- New options: overdrive, a three-speed automatic and power steering on light trucks.
- Huge spread: from half-ton pickups to tandem-axle tractors and fire engines.
International R series versions
- R-100 and R-110 to R-130: light-duty pickups and chassis-cabs.
- R-140 to R-180: medium-duty trucks, with the first factory 4x4s.
- R-190 to R-220: heavy-duty conventionals.
- D, F and H suffixes: diesel, tandem axle and heavy-duty versions.
- RC, RDC and RDFC: cab-over-engine models.
The R series followed the L series and its light and medium models became the A series by way of the S series. The medium-duty successor in spirit is the Loadstar.
Video: International Harvester IH R-160 and L-160 Series CabOver Trucks
Video by InternationalHarvstr on YouTube.
Sources
- International R series, English Wikipedia: models, engines, four-wheel drive, heavy-duty variants, production
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