1955 International R-160 4x4 ... Navy Crash Truck

[nhp1127]

Hello All,

Not sure where to post this. I recently purchased a 1955 International R-160 4x4 Brush Fire Truck. It is a 1 1/2 ton factory 4x4, one of 920 made. It came with old vehicle registrations from the Athens, ME Volunteer Fire Dept and the Maine Forestry Service. While preparing for new paint, we were sanding on the drivers side door and discovered "US NAVY" markings on it. It appears this was originally a crash fire truck with the Navy and then transferred to the Athens VT Fire Dept in 1966. The truck must have had some sort of pumper tank on the rear as it has a factory rear PTO.

My question is does anyone have any info on a Navy truck like this? Also, we are restoring it to its original Harvester red color (was painted green by forestry service) and would like to know what the correct navy numbers would be for a vehicle like this. It has a working siren and flashing roof light. Any info would be appreciated! Thanks, Niels

 

[kblazer87]

Wow, super nice rig! I love those old 'Binders.

 

[Recovry4x4]

That is just wicked cool.

 

[dmetalmiki]

What an interesting project you have there, keep the posts and pictures coming. Nice.

 

[USMC 00-08]

I've never seen one of those before. Cool!

 

[mhassett]

Very interesting and cool.
Love it.

 

[nhp1127]

Thanks for the nice feedback. I'll post pics when it is done which should be a couple of weeks..... FYI, here are a few pics of my 1954 International R-140 1 1/4 ton factory 4x4 Pickup. This is one of the biggest pickup trucks made and like the R-160, has 6.17 gearing so it with pull anything. It was a snow plow with Trinity County, Eureka, Ca. One of 940 made... it is stock and not lifted. I am 6'4 so you can see how tall it is....

 

[M813rc]

Looking forward to watching your truck progress. It's a beautiful machine.

This is my buddy's restoration-underway truck. It's a later model than yours, but shows what one Navy IH fire truck looked like, and the data plate shows how the Navy registration number was written out.

Yes, I modified the serial number and engine number; it's not my truck, so I thought it polite to not show those without permission.

The truck is a 1968, and came off Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. He got it through a fire department, who had already obliterated the original Navy markings, unfortunately.
The Chif-fil-a markings on the doors are just magnets, he uses the truck as advertising for his restaurant.

Cheers

 

[Tracer]

Rare truck, keep the pictures coming.

 

[citizensoldier]

Super cool and super rare truck. I will do some digging on it and see what I can find. A good person to talk to would be David Doyle..

 

[metal magnet 1963]

Navy Fire Truck

Hello All,

Not sure where to post this. I recently purchased a 1955 International R-160 4x4 Brush Fire Truck. It is a 1 1/2 ton factory 4x4, one of 920 made. It came with old vehicle registrations from the Athens, ME Volunteer Fire Dept and the Maine Forestry Service. While preparing for new paint, we were sanding on the drivers side door and discovered "US NAVY" markings on it. It appears this was originally a crash fire truck with the Navy and then transferred to the Athens VT Fire Dept in 1966. The truck must have had some sort of pumper tank on the rear as it has a factory rear PTO.

My question is does anyone have any info on a Navy truck like this? Also, we are restoring it to its original Harvester red color (was painted green by forestry service) and would like to know what the correct navy numbers would be for a vehicle like this. It has a working siren and flashing roof light. Any info would be appreciated! Thanks, Niels

Nice to see other military hardware out there! I don't want to hijack your thread I just want to mention something that might help.
I have a 1957 International fire truck chassis that was used in Saint John's Newfoundland on an Canadian armed Forces base, and ended up in New Brunswick. When I removed the front bumper, there were military stenciled numbers on the frame ends. and the frame was also a camo paint shade, not primer. I wanted to post my truck here, but wasn't sure it would "fit" on this site. Now, seeing your truck here, I just may do it. Mine is a lot bigger chassis, but had the same cab type with a huge gas engine, and is also 4x4. I have two 1950 cabs I will use to make one good one. If anyone is interested, I'll post some pictures. ​ hope this has been some help.

 

[M813rc]

I have a 1957 International fire truck chassis that was used in Saint John's Newfoundland on an Canadian armed Forces base, and ended up in New Brunswick. When I removed the front bumper, there were military stenciled numbers on the frame ends. and the frame was also a camo paint shade, not primer. I wanted to post my truck here, but wasn't sure it would "fit" on this site.

Sounds like an MV to me! Lets see it.

Cheers

 

[metal magnet 1963]

I will be posting pictures soon. Also a video on UT. Here is a picture I found on the net to show what it was like when in one piece, not how it looked at the scrap yard.There was no cab on it, and the pumper body was scrapped and pump sold for the brass (1500 pounds worth!!!) I managed to get the original radiator, and other parts, and am rebuilding the water pump at this time. I'm going to make it a "military wrecker" and o.d. it!! Will look super when done.

.

 

[nhp1127]

Here a pic of the stake bed sides being mounted....

 

[metal magnet 1963]

truck chassis

remove video

 

[metal magnet 1963]

1957 FWD military wrecker project

https://youtu.be/A5PHswAlHB4

 

[mhassett]

I would like to see a lot more pictures of the pick-up truck.
Way cool.

 

[Lawrence of Arabia]

International

Sorry it's not Military, but since were taking Internationals, here is a picture of mine. It's a 1950 L110. Making a rat rod out of it. Keeping paint as is.

 

[nhp1127]

I love the old vintage " Hammond and Son" on the doors. thumbs up!.

 

[nhp1127]

Here are a few updated pics of the truck. All body panels have been painted in the original "International Harvester Red" color. We used Imron which is a heavy duty aircraft paint. The fenders,(running boards, bumper and grill guard are powercoated the original gloss black) still need to be assembled, hopefully in the next week or so..... frame rails are being undercoated black tomorrow.