1974 International Wagonmaster ¾-ton 4x4 Pickup

Description

1974 International Wagonmaster ¾-ton 4×4 Pickup Description

1974 International Wagonmaster ¾-ton 4×4 Pickup

Long term ownership between two Oklahoma International collectors One of the last Wagonmasters (6/74) built before model ceased production in 1974 Factory-built four-door pick-up based on the more familiar wagon-style Travelall Very limited production made during the 1973 and 1974 model years (extremely few produced in’74) 4×4 Wagonmaster, most were produced in 2WD and marketed as a tow rig Comanche 392 CID V-8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor Borg-Warner four-speed manual transmission Dana 44 front axle with a full-float Dana 60 rear axle with two-speed New Process transfer case 8 lug hubs and wheels Dark Green exterior with russet plaid interior from an International Scout Traveler Power steering and power brakes 60” bed on 119-inch wheelbase and 7,700 GVWR Quiet ride with Dynamat in the floor and headliner

Debuting almost 30 years before Chevrolet’s Avalanche, International-Harvester employees “accidentally” created a four-door pickup truck in the early to mid-1970s. MotoeXotica is proud to present this true unicorn from the International Binder world, a 1974 International Wagonmaster ¾-ton 4×4 Pickup. Only 2,000 or less of these were produced in 1973 and 1974 and less than 500 in 1974 alone and some Binder fans and other people initially mistake the Wagonmaster for a Travelette.

The 1974 Wagonmaster is extremely sought after by collectors because it is one of the rarest production International trucks ever produced! In fact, this Wagonmaster comes from Oklahoma where it was owned long term by two International collectors (Previous owner is the president of the SouthWest Scouts of Oklahoma Club). Less than 500 were produced in 1974 but very few of those 500 were optioned with the factory 4×4, 4 speed manual transmission and a 392 V8 such as this particular truck.

According to John Glancy of Scout Light Line and Super Scout Specialists, the Wagonmaster was an idea that came from line workers at the Springfield factory. International’s August 21, 1972 announcement read, “The Wagonmaster combines automobile-type styling and comfort with the durability and trailering capabilities of International’s popular Travelall wagon. Its design features a five-foot pickup-type bed behind the roomy six-person passenger compartment.”

As on of the last Wagonmaster Pickups built in International’s Springfield, Ohio factory on June 11, 1974, this Wagonmaster has a dark green exterior that is in overall very good order with only minor blemishes visible at close range. Its bodywork is straight and has the hard to find emblems intact, the engine bay is extremely tidy, the battery appears new and the bumpers are in great condition. In addition, Dynamat has been installed in the floorboards, within the doors and in the headliner; the truck is reportedly very quiet during highway driving.

This Wagonmaster wears 265/75R16 tires at all four corners. Each tire surrounds a 8 lug chrome, vented wheel. All tires and wheels are in very good order.

Under the forward-hinged hood is a Comanche 392 CID V-8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor mated to a Borg-Warner four-speed manual transmission. This is a Wagonmaster 4×4 pickup truck with a two-speed New Process transfer case with a Dana 44 front axle and a full-float Dana 60 fear axle complete the four-wheel drive setup underneath. Driver convenience features include power steering and power brakes.

Inside, the interior is upgraded with russet plaid interior from an International Scout Traveler and it really makes this truck very handsome. The seats are in great condition, while the deluxe black carpet is in great condition. The headliner and the original three-spoke steering wheel are also in good shape. The tan instrument panel with a full array of gauges and the inner door panels are in good original order. In addition, Dynamat has been installed in the floorboards, within the doors and in the headliner; the Wagonmaster for being a large vintage truck, drives pretty quietly in the cab during highway driving.

It came with standard, Deluxe or Custom interior and exterior trim levels. The Deluxe and Custom interiors shared the same color-coded nylon or vinyl seats, tinted glass, padded door trim and headliner and some miscellaneous bric-a-brac. Custom added full carpeting, extra interior lighting, dual horns and a few other goodies. A/C was optional. Outside, both the Deluxe and Custom trims shared bright trim and chrome bumpers. Deluxe came with bright hubcaps while Custom gave you full wheel covers and woodgrain side panels. Two-tone paint was optional.

On the surface, it was a good notion and pitched directly to the sales department and passed for production without much engineering review. During the long lead presentations to the auto press, the Wagonmaster’s fifth-wheel prowess was touted, but they soon found there wasn’t enough space to place a fifth-wheel hitch directly above the rear axle. One had to mount the hitch farther aft, making for an ungainly fifth-wheel tow rig.

An in-house marketing memo titled, “Wagonmaster Publicity Situation,” discussed the methods used to counter bad press from that error after the motoring press had latched onto the issue. In normal circumstances, most historians think the Wagonmaster would have survived the embarrassment. Unfortunately, by the early to mid-1970s, International’s light trucks weren’t selling; the Wagonmaster did not last through the 1974 model year and the rest of I-H’s pickups were discontinued in 1975.

Competition to this Wagonmaster in 1974 included Chevrolet’s K-series Blazer, pickups and Suburbans, Ford’s F-series and Bronco, Dodge’s D-series and GMC’s K-series Jimmy, pickups and Suburbans.

If you’re on the hunt for a rare and very collectible International that most other collectors will not have, you need to look no further than this unicorn of a truck, our 1974 4×4 I-H Wagonmaster. With so few produced, it’s highly unlikely you’d ever see another opportunity to buy one. Binder fans owe it to themselves to visit MotoeXotica Classic Cars today and check out this seldom-seen truck.

VIN: 4Q2H0DHB62578

This truck is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 42,292 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

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