14
The D series ran from 1937 until 1940. A 1938 model was purchased by Ken Smithson from Clarence Eklund in 1982 and fully restored by 1984. Clarence had bought the truck at an auction sale for Roy Leach, who lived south of Gilby, which was itself southwest of Rimbey. At the auction, Clarence thought he had purchased a group of several old cars and trucks, but the auctioneer argued the point. The dispute was settled when the auctioneer threw in the 1938 International, the only vehicle in the group that Clarence really wanted.15
1938 D-2 model in 1984, before restoration began.1938
Ken Smithson's farm, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
16
The 1938 D-2 at its worst.1938
Ken Smithson's workshop, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
17
International 1938 D-2 after work began.1938
Ken Smithson's workshop, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
18
1938 D-2 restored, and pictured in 1985.1938
Ken Smithson's farm, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
19
Terry Sheane, the mechanic working with Ken Smithson, did both the bodywork and painting of this truck, right in Ken's small shop.20
International 1938 D-2 with a bride in 1984.1938
Pas-ka-poo Historical Museum and Park, Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
21
International 1938 D-2.1938
Main Street, Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
22
From 1940 through 1947, International built the K series. Ken Smithson used two trucks to complete a 1941 K-1. Both were 1941 models, maroon in colour, and locally owned. As a boy, Ken remembers seeing both of them, and he himself later owned one. He bought it the spring of 1953, the year he married Rosie. Years later, Rosie did upholstery work in the restored half-tons.Originally bought new by Arthur Jones of Rimbey, Ken later sold the 1941 K to Arthur's son, Davy Jones. Olaf Mandseth of Hoadley, north of Rimbey, bought the second truck in 1941, and Albert Philipzik of the Iola district later owned it.
23
International 1941 K-1 torn down in 1986.1941
Ken Smithson's farm, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
24
Built during the war years from 1940 through 1947, the K series was a stripped down model. Neither the grill nor the windshield moulding was made of chrome. However, because International used only three different windshield styles over the course of their 40 years of half-ton production, Ken had many truck bodies with a compatible windshield type. Neither Terry Sheane nor Lorne Hicks would countenance installing the cheaper style in the beautifully restored truck, and Ken went along with their desire. The restored 1941 gleams with a stylish chrome windshield.25
Lorne Hicks painted this 1941 K-1 in Ken Smithson's shop.1941
Smithson International Truck Museum
Credits:Rimbey Historical Society
Photo by Michael's Studio, Wendy Huff
26
2004 front view of 1941 K-1 International.1941
Smithson International Truck Museum
Credits:Rimbey Historical Society
Photo by Verna Field
27
The KB series ran from 1947 until 1949. P. Ewaschuk of Carstairs, Alberta, was the first owner of this 1948 truck. The second owner was Ed Hunt, who lived near Ken Smithson. Ed sold the truck to Thomas Rycroft of Olds, Alberta, and that was where Ken tracked it down in 1982. Ken also used parts from Alfred Thill's donated 1948 KB.Aside from being jazzed up with a few minor changes - more chrome and two windshield wipers instead of one - the KB, released only a few years after the war, was essentially the same as the previous K model.
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