Travelall
Encyclopedia
The Travelall was an early full-size truck-based wagon / SUV. It was similar in concept to the Chevy Suburban, and made by International Harvester
from 1953 until 1975.
of trucks. International began using the Travelall name in 1953. The 115-inch-wheelbase R-Series panel truck was equipped with side windows and seats to make the Travelall. A new tailgate and liftgate design was available on the Travelall; however, side by side rear cargo or 'ambulance' doors were also still available. Two or three rows of seats were available. A Travelall name badge was mounted on the front cowl directly below the International name badge. A few L-Series
trucks were also produced with windows and seats in 1952, but whether the Travelall name was used that year is unknown. Prior to 1952, International station wagon type vehicles were mainly woodies, having wooden bodies produced by outside companies. A few K-Series panels in the latter 1940s were built with windows and seats and used by airlines to move people at airports. The Travelall name continued to be used for station wagon versions of the succeeding S-line
, A-line, and B-line
pickup trucks.
The 1953 through 1957 Travelalls had two passenger doors. Access to the rear seats was gained by flipping up the passenger side of the front seat. From 1956 to 1960, the Travelall had three passenger doors, the third door being located on the curb side of the body. From 1961 to 1975, all Travelalls had four passenger doors; by contrast, the Chevy Suburban was not available with four doors until 1973.
Travelalls were also produced with raised roofs and extended wheelbases for applications such as school buses, ambulances and airport limos. Many of these modifications were performed by the Springfield Equipment Company and were marketed by International.
Four wheel drive was available as an option on Travelalls beginning in 1956. Engines were International manufactured inline six cylinders or V8s. From the 220 or 240 'Silver Diamond' six cylinder of the 1950s to the 392 V8 of the 1970s. Transmissions available included automatics, 3, 4 and 5 speed manual transmissions. The 5-speed was optional from about 1966 until 1973 and could have either a direct or overdrive 5th gear. A Bendix
anti-lock brake system
was available on later Travelalls, but was a rarely selected option.
upon which it was based. The new C-series Travelall benefitted from a whole new chassis with all new independent front torsion bar suspension. Aside from the lower body, the most obvious visual difference were that the twin headlights were now mounted side-by-side, and a new grille of a concave egg-crate design. The wheelbase for the C-100/C-110 Travelall went up to 119 inches, as the front wheels were mounted further forward. This adjustment increased the front clearance angle in spite of the lower body.
This series was available either with a flip-down tailgate or two doors. The fold down gate had a window which wound down electrically. Development continued in a gradual fashion, becoming the D-series in 1965. A steady stream of new grilles and headlight treatments set the model years apart until a more thorough makeover took place in 1969. Until this model change, the Travelall had been considered merely a version of the related pickup truck; after the facelift the Travelall became a separate series.
, but sales declined nonetheless and production of passenger pickups and Travelalls ended entirely in May, 1975; production of the Scout continued until 1980. The company exists today as Navistar International
, and continues to make medium and large trucks. A twin barrel version of the AMC 401 V8 was used in 1974 when International's own 392 was in short supply.
and Grumpier Old Men
, Max Goldman drives a camouflage-painted Travelall.
In the novel Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven the character Harvey Randall drives a Travelall.
Folk singer Greg Brown refers to a Travelall in the song Laughing River.
International Harvester
International Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
from 1953 until 1975.
History
1953 was a new model designation year for International with the introduction of the R lineInternational Harvester R-Series
The International R series replaced the L-Series in 1953. It was mostly a facelift of the light and medium models, but also a remarkable set of changes. The busy front style seen on L series was cleanly and easily redesigned to become the R line...
of trucks. International began using the Travelall name in 1953. The 115-inch-wheelbase R-Series panel truck was equipped with side windows and seats to make the Travelall. A new tailgate and liftgate design was available on the Travelall; however, side by side rear cargo or 'ambulance' doors were also still available. Two or three rows of seats were available. A Travelall name badge was mounted on the front cowl directly below the International name badge. A few L-Series
International Harvester L-Series
The International Harvester L Series Trucks were introduced by International Harvester in 1949 as the replacement for the KB-Series and ran the gamut from light pickup trucks and delivery vehicles to full size tractor trailers...
trucks were also produced with windows and seats in 1952, but whether the Travelall name was used that year is unknown. Prior to 1952, International station wagon type vehicles were mainly woodies, having wooden bodies produced by outside companies. A few K-Series panels in the latter 1940s were built with windows and seats and used by airlines to move people at airports. The Travelall name continued to be used for station wagon versions of the succeeding S-line
International Harvester S-Series
The International Harvester S-Series was a medium-duty truck line manufactured by International Harvester. The S-Series was first introduced in mid-1977 as a replacement for the International Harvester Fleetstar. In 1979, other versions of the S-Series were introduced as the successor to the...
, A-line, and B-line
International Harvester A-Series
The International A-Series replaced the S-Series for 1957. The name stood for "Anniversary", as 1957 marked the fiftieth anniversary of International Harvester's truck production. It was largely a rebodied version of the light and medium S-Series truck, incorporating a wide cab and more...
pickup trucks.
1970's Travelall badge |
The 1953 through 1957 Travelalls had two passenger doors. Access to the rear seats was gained by flipping up the passenger side of the front seat. From 1956 to 1960, the Travelall had three passenger doors, the third door being located on the curb side of the body. From 1961 to 1975, all Travelalls had four passenger doors; by contrast, the Chevy Suburban was not available with four doors until 1973.
Travelalls were also produced with raised roofs and extended wheelbases for applications such as school buses, ambulances and airport limos. Many of these modifications were performed by the Springfield Equipment Company and were marketed by International.
Four wheel drive was available as an option on Travelalls beginning in 1956. Engines were International manufactured inline six cylinders or V8s. From the 220 or 240 'Silver Diamond' six cylinder of the 1950s to the 392 V8 of the 1970s. Transmissions available included automatics, 3, 4 and 5 speed manual transmissions. The 5-speed was optional from about 1966 until 1973 and could have either a direct or overdrive 5th gear. A Bendix
Bendix Corporation
The Bendix Corporation was an American manufacturing and engineering company which during various times in its 60 year existence made brake systems, aeronautical hydraulics, avionics, aircraft and automobile fuel control systems, radios, televisions and computers, and which licensed its name for...
anti-lock brake system
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
was available on later Travelalls, but was a rarely selected option.
C/D-series
In April 1961 the Travelall underwent the same changes as the pickup rangeInternational Harvester A-Series
The International A-Series replaced the S-Series for 1957. The name stood for "Anniversary", as 1957 marked the fiftieth anniversary of International Harvester's truck production. It was largely a rebodied version of the light and medium S-Series truck, incorporating a wide cab and more...
upon which it was based. The new C-series Travelall benefitted from a whole new chassis with all new independent front torsion bar suspension. Aside from the lower body, the most obvious visual difference were that the twin headlights were now mounted side-by-side, and a new grille of a concave egg-crate design. The wheelbase for the C-100/C-110 Travelall went up to 119 inches, as the front wheels were mounted further forward. This adjustment increased the front clearance angle in spite of the lower body.
This series was available either with a flip-down tailgate or two doors. The fold down gate had a window which wound down electrically. Development continued in a gradual fashion, becoming the D-series in 1965. A steady stream of new grilles and headlight treatments set the model years apart until a more thorough makeover took place in 1969. Until this model change, the Travelall had been considered merely a version of the related pickup truck; after the facelift the Travelall became a separate series.
Redesign
The Travelall was last redesigned in 1969 with a more modern look which echoed that of the smaller ScoutInternational Harvester Scout
Scout 80s were built between 1960 and 1965. These models were identifiable by removable sliding side windows in 1960–1961 and even some very early 1962 models, a fold-down windshield, vacuum windshield wipers mounted to the top of the windshield and an IH logo in the center of the grille...
, but sales declined nonetheless and production of passenger pickups and Travelalls ended entirely in May, 1975; production of the Scout continued until 1980. The company exists today as Navistar International
Navistar International
Navistar International Corporation is a United States-based holding company that owns the manufacturer of International brand commercial trucks, MaxxForce brand diesel engines, IC Bus school and commercial buses, Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans, and is a private label...
, and continues to make medium and large trucks. A twin barrel version of the AMC 401 V8 was used in 1974 when International's own 392 was in short supply.
Wagon Master
In 1973 and 1974 a modified Travelall was marketed as the Wagon Master. The roof over the cargo section was removed to make a short pickup type bed. The target market for the Wagon Master were people who pulled fifth wheel RV trailers. The exposed cargo area of the Wagon Master provided the space needed to mount the fifth wheel for the trailer. The Wagon Master was very much like the Chevrolet Avalanche produced in the early and mid 2000's.Appearances in Media
In Grumpy Old MenGrumpy Old Men (film)
Grumpy Old Men is a 1993 American romantic comedy film starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, and Ann-Margret, with Burgess Meredith, Daryl Hannah, Kevin Pollak, Katie Sagona, Ossie Davis, and Buck Henry. Directed by Donald Petrie, the screenplay was written by Mark Steven Johnson, who also wrote...
and Grumpier Old Men
Grumpier Old Men
Grumpier Old Men is a 1995 romantic comedy film, and a sequel to the 1993 film Grumpy Old Men. The film stars Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret, and Sophia Loren, with Burgess Meredith, Daryl Hannah, Kevin Pollak, Katie Sagona, Ann Morgan Guilbert...
, Max Goldman drives a camouflage-painted Travelall.
In the novel Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven the character Harvey Randall drives a Travelall.
Folk singer Greg Brown refers to a Travelall in the song Laughing River.
External links
- Image Gallery
- History & Specs
- Scout Light Line Gallery
- Restored Travelall Photos
- http://www.vannattabros.com/truck26.html
- http://mail.telebyte.com/allanw/binder/info/models/
- http://www.truckasaurus.ne
- http://www.travelallparts.com
- A 1967 unit photo gallery