International L series: from pickup to tractor-trailer

The International L series was introduced in the autumn of 1949 to replace the KB series. It was the widest line International had yet built, from light pickups and delivery vans to full-size tractor-trailers, and it introduced the Loadstar, Roadliner and Schoolmaster names that lasted for decades.

International L series at a glance

Based on one source (English Wikipedia).

History of the International L series

A line for every job

The L series was launched in the autumn of 1949 as the replacement for the KB series and stayed in production until 1953, when the R series took over. It covered everything from light pickups and delivery vehicles to full-size tractor-trailers. Comfort was modern for the time: electric wipers, a radio and a clock were on the options list. The heavier L-150 to L-180 models had taller bodywork to take a bigger engine, a beefier chassis and larger wheels; to disguise the extra height they received an additional full-width chrome bar under the other two grille bars and the headlights. The L-185 to L-210 had a longer, narrower hood, a taller grille and oversized fenders, although they used the same cab as the smaller trucks.

Bodies and special vehicles

Pickup bodies came in 6 ft and 8 ft lengths, and on the L-130 a 9½ ft bed of the same design was available with dual rear wheels. International also offered two styles of factory flatbed with removable sides up to the L-180. Other bodies were built around the chassis: the Metro LM120-122 and LM150-152 bread trucks for bakeries and laundries, the LB-140 milk delivery truck with its semi-automatic clutch, and the LC160-162 and LC180-182 cab-over trucks, then called cab-forwards. The L series was also built in Australia as the AL series.

The first marketing names

The L series introduced three names that later became model lines of their own. The Schoolmaster covered the L-153, L-163, L-173, L-183 and L-193 school bus chassis, the L-193 having the nose of the L190 and larger trucks. The Loadstar was the heaviest-capacity model in each series: L-164, L-174, L-184, L-194 and L-204, with the “Loadstar” decal on the dash only on the “4” models. The Roadliner covered the L-165, L-175, L-185, L-195 and L-205 and was International’s premium tractor, though many basic tractors were ordered as L-190s or L-183s and fitted with a fifth wheel elsewhere. For heavier work there were the LF-170, LF-190 and LF-210 tandem-axle 6×4 trucks, whose gross weights were much higher: an L-194 was rated at 25,500 lb against 38,000 lb for an LF-194. The light-duty models used the new overhead-valve Silver Diamond 220 and 240 sixes, the medium-duty trucks the Super Blue Diamond 269, and the biggest the Red Diamond 372, 406 and 450.

Design and features

• Full range: from the L-110 pickup to the L-210 tractor-trailer, plus cab-over and forward-control models.
• Silver Diamond engines: new overhead-valve sixes of 220 and 240 cubic inches in the light trucks.
• Metro and Milk bodies: special delivery vehicles built on the L-series chassis.
• Three famous names: Schoolmaster, Loadstar and Roadliner all began here.
• Tandem-axle LF models: 6×4 trucks for mining, construction and heavy haulage.

International L series versions

• L-110 to L-130: light pickups and delivery trucks with Silver Diamond engines.
• L-150 to L-180: heavier trucks with taller bodywork and an extra grille bar.
• L-185 to L-210: long-hood heavy trucks with Red Diamond engines.
• LC160 to LC182: cab-over-engine trucks.
• LF-170, LF-190 and LF-210: tandem-axle 6×4 models.
• Schoolmaster, Loadstar and Roadliner: bus chassis, heavy-duty and premium tractor versions.

The L series replaced the K and KB series and was followed by the R series; its Loadstar name later became a model line of its own, the International Loadstar. More trucks are in the International collection.

Sources

• International L series, English Wikipedia: models, bodies, engines, marketing names