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From 1961 through 1962, International manufactured the C110 series. In 1985, Ken Smithson purchased this 1961 C110 from Norm Moore's auction sale at Buck Creek, Alberta. Supposedly restored, but not to Ken's meticulous standards, this truck required significant work.2
1961 C110 as purchased from the Buck Creek auction sale around 1986.1961
Ken Smithson's farm, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
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Once the truck was at home on his farm, Ken discovered a large hole in the back of the cab that had been patched with tar and an asphalt shingle. Lorne Hicks, the body man, had a lot of work ahead of him, including welding a new top on the cab using only an acetylene torch. One bead at a time, Lorne worked from one side of the cab to the other to allow the weld to cool and prevent the metal from shrinking and buckling. As he could apply only a few beads each night - to ensure the metal never got warm - it took several evenings to complete the task.4
2004 front view of International 1961 C.1961
Smithson International Truck Museum
Credits:Rimbey Historical Society
Photo by Verna Field
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International 1961 C fully restored, pictured here in 1991.1961
Smithson International Truck Museum
Credits:Rimbey Historical Society
Photo by Michael's Studio, Wendy Huff
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The 1961 C was red when Ken Smithson acquired it, but he chose red with a white contrast. Always working within authentic International colours and combinations, Ken selected colours he liked most, but also those that would show off the truck display to best advantage.Since 1982 when he began restoration in earnest, with the ambitious aim of completing the collection, Ken always held a picture in his head of how the trucks would look, sitting in two long lines and arranged by year. Although his favourite colour was blue, to make the display more interesting Ken wanted to avoid placing too many trucks of the same colour side-by-side.
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1961 C110 hub cap, showing the International logo.1961
Smithson International Truck Museum
Credits:Rimbey Historical Society
Photo by Verna Field
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International manufactured the C1100 series from 1963 until 1964. A Yeoford, Alberta man owned two of these 1963 C1100 trucks. After his death, his son-in-law contacted Ken Smithson to inquire if he was interested in purchasing one of them.9
International 1963 C1100 before restoration in 1986.1963
Ken Smithson's farm, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
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To restore this 1963 C1100 model, shown above, Ken Smithson relied heavily on other trucks. The motor, transmission, and many other parts came from a derelict owned by Frank Watt of Rimbey. Other parts came from John Lewis of Bluffton, Alberta. And more yet were found at John Lauridsen's in Bluffton, Alberta. The truck was restored in 1986.11
The 1963 C1100 International, restored in 1986.1963
Smithson International Truck Museum
Credits:Rimbey Historical Society
Photo by Michael's Studio, Wendy Huff
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The International half-ton D1100 series ran only in 1965. This particular truck was bought by Ken Smithson from Emil Stieger in 1985 and restored in 1986. As indicated on the paper license found in the truck when Stieger bought it, Thomas Rumpel of Calgary had previously owned this truck.13
The 1965 D1100 in its misshapen original condition.1965
Ken Smithson's farm, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
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Everything but the cab came off the 1965 D when restoration began. This truck came with a V8 motor, but Ken Smithson tore it out to install a six-cylinder. When working on this truck, Ken encountered a common problem - the style-side box was badly dented.International manufactured their half-tons with a choice of two types of boxes. Style-side was a flat-sided box and step-side had an inserted step behind the cab. Step-side boxes were in much better condition and were easier to work on. Ken also appreciated their appearance.
Style-side boxes, unsupported by a fender, tended to be severely dented - marred by anything that touched the side of the box. As he did with this 1965, Ken threw away many style-sides in favour of step-sides.
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