TOTM – December 2011 – 1924 Model 63
1924 International Harvester Model 63 by Graham Armstrong
1924 Model 63 and Trailer - 2005
My story starts in 2005 with a conversation my wife had with a nephew. He was talking about restoring an old truck and mentioned he knew of one on a local farm but did not have the time or money to spend on it. My wife told him about the old Inter my dad had done up with solid tyres and he replied that this truck had solid tyres. Arrangements were duly made and a few days later there she was, complete with an 18 foot semi trailer.
Discussions went on over the coming months until a price was agreed and I picked it up minus the trailer. The farmer had bought it in the late 50’s early 60’s. It had a wooden framed recovery crane on the back and was used by a garage for many years dragging various vehicles and machinery in for repairs. The new owner made a new cab out of flat steel sheet and fitted the trailer and a wheat bin for use on the property. This proved a failure due to the lack of traction provided by the smooth solid tyres. A towing/steering bar was then set up on the front axle and tie rod to tow it around by tractor. After much frustration it was finally parked in 1967. Over the years many people had tried to persuade the owner to part with it but to no avail, it was destiny that it now resides with me.
According to WHS the frame number puts it as being a Model 63 built in 1924 and the 962nd Model 63 to roll off the assembly line. It is interesting that photos show Model 63’s as being around as early as August 1923. 1924 seen the move from the scuttle hooded medium and heavy trucks to the big radiator with INTERNATIONAL cast in the top tank up front. It has some features that the later 1924 models don’t have such as a valance panel between the frame and running boards, no bonnet badges and the tie rod ends are ball and socket.
David, my eldest son and my brother in law Les - 2006
Once home I did the normal stuff like oils, water, fuel, etc. then started her and drove out of the shed (about ten hours). For the next year or so we just drove her around my paddock and enjoyed the experience.
In 2008, with some trepidation the decision was made to restore her.
I treated each part of the restoration as separate projects and I have been fortunate that dad had rebuilt a Model 63 & a Model 103 so there was plenty of tips/guidance along the way.
I am slowly getting things back together with a fresh coat of paint and I am currently finishing off the new cab and cowl.
Progress 2010
I plan on having her completed for the Lockhart truck show in March 2012.
Once finished I have the 1926 Special Delivery to start on, but that is another story.
Specifications
- - Year of manufacture: 1924
- - Model: 63
- - Carrying capacity: 3 tons
- - Wheelbase: 165”
- - Number of cylinders: four
- - Bore x stroke: 4 ¼” x 5”
- - Capacity: 283 cu in
- - Horsepower: 29.9
- - Transmission: four speed direct on top
- - Final drive: 9:1
- - Top speed: 16 mph
- - Solid tyres, front: 36” x 5”
- - Solid tyres, rear: 36” x 8”
PDF 
I love the spirit of this kind of work. It was cutting edge trucking of the day, and I’ll bet they did a lot of work by the standards of the time. To think 30 years prior, motor vehicles were mostly unheard of to well above the average American person. thankfully there are people with the wherewithall to truly protect the history in such a real tangible way: literally watch it go 16 mph with load. I say “wow!”
I am currently restoring a 1923 Model 63 right hand drive and need help with gear box if possible. i have also driven it and like wise have bit the bullet to do a full restoration.