1
Many of the collection of 19 International half-tons restored by Ken Smithson between 1982 and 1989 were purchased by him in very poor condition. Routinely, Ken and the men working with him completely tore down the trucks. Starting with only the basics essential to make the trucks run, they would drive the skeleton vehicles just enough to determine if they were sound.Using primarily second-hand parts - mostly taken out of derelicts - the men would not always know beforehand if a particular part functioned. If Ken installed a transmission, he would then take the buggy down the road a ways. If it flew out of gear he simply headed back into the shop and replaced the transmission with one pulled off a different truck. Everything had to be running like clockwork before the bodywork was even touched.
After a Ponoka, Alberta upholsterer closed its doors - the shop where Ken routinely took his trucks - Ken's wife Rosie began doing the upholstery work.
2
The 1948 KB-1 at the test-driving stage, with Ken's wife, Rosie, posing at the wheel in 1984.1948
Ken Smithson's farm, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
3
With Lorne Hicks, the body man, and Terry Sheane, the mechanic, available only on evenings and weekends, a typical International half-ton took three months to restore. The cost to Ken ran an average of $10,000 per vehicle.From among the miscellany of trucks that Ken did not need for the International collection, in 1987 Ken sold an International 1956 S100 to Billy Gray. In 1992, after the truck collection was already sold and housed in the Smithson International Truck Museum, Ken Smithson - who by then lived in Rimbey - wanted to restore a truck to drive. As Billy Gray had never restored his 1956, Ken bought it back in 1992 and restored it himself.
Aside from the fact that Ken's truck was a long wheelbase, it was the same series and the same colours as the collection truck. With the perspective of hindsight, Ken took a series of photographs of his truck during restoration, photos which beautifully outline the complete process.
4
International 1956 S100 half-ton being loaded onto Billy Gray's truck in 1987.1956
Ken Smithson's farm, north of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Ken Smithson
5
1956 S100 with motor, radiator, rear end, and steering column, pictured in 1992.1956
Parking lot of the Smithson International Truck Museum, just outside of Ken's Smithson's Rimbey garage.
Credits:Ken Smithson
6
The above photo shows the stage at which a truck would be driven to ensure it was running smoothly. Without the body, there was nothing to work around - the transmission, motor, and brakes could all be easily repaired.7
1956 S100 with the addition of the cab, bolted securely with four bolts.1956
Parking lot of the Smithson International Truck Museum, just outside of Ken's Smithson's Rimbey garage.
Credits:Ken Smithson
8
1956 S100 with the front end installed.1956
Parking lot of the Smithson International Truck Museum, just outside of Ken's Smithson's Rimbey garage.
Credits:Ken Smithson
9
1956 S100 all together and awaiting paint.1956
Parking lot of the Smithson International Truck Museum, just outside of Ken's Smithson's Rimbey garage.
Credits:Ken Smithson
10
1956 S100 fully restored, beside the Smithson International Truck Museum.1956
Smithson International Truck Museum
Credits:Ken Smithson
11
1956 S100 restored.1956
Smithson International Truck Museum
Credits:Ken Smithson
12
Rear view of 1956 S100, restored.1956
Smithson International Truck Museum
Credits:Ken Smithson
13
Front view of the International 1956 S100, restored.1956
Smithson International Truck Museum
Credits:Ken Smithson
 |
 |
 |
 |