Vintage Monday: The International Harvester Travelall - A Pre-SUV

While the International Harvester Scout became an iconic influence in the 1960s and 70s off-road market, its older and much larger sibling, the Travelall, can be traced back to the start of it all. But was this really an off-road vehicle or more of a cumbersome people hauler with available four-wheel drive? We’ll let you decide!

1954 Travelall
Image: Concept Carz

As a predecessor to the Sport Utility Vehicle, the International Harvester Travelall was an innovative factory panel truck with windows built atop a truck chassis. Prior to the introduction of full-size vehicles like this and the fourth-generation Chevy Suburban, it was the Woody that ruled the road and beach communities. But with available all-wheel drive soon after its introduction to the market, the Travelall offered something that most vehicles did not- the ability to take up to eight people on an off-road adventure.

Now, when we talk about off-roading with a Travelall, we’re not talking rock crawling, desert racing or King of The Hammers– style competition; we’re talking basic trail driving and backcountry camping. But the idea of being able to go off the beaten path in a passenger vehicle was remarkable.

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From 1953 through 1957, the Travelall saw two consecutive options, the R and S-series models, both equipped with 115-inch wheelbases, 131 horsepower inline-six engine and just two passenger doors. Customers looking for a base model could opt for the R or the later S-110 model, while those looking for a heftier vehicle could opt for the heavy-duty S-120 model, which was available with four-wheel-drive starting in 1956. That year, GMC also came out with its 4×4 option, the GMC Suburban, followed by the 4×4 Chevy Suburban in 1957.

By that year, the A Series had replaced the S Travelall model, falling in line with the design cues of the A Series trucks and equipping the giant passenger hauler with three doors for easier rear-seat access. With the model change came three progressively more burly options, the A-100, 110 and the 120.

All of these models could be had with inline-six engines ranging from 113 to 154 horsepower, but only the A-120 was optioned with four-wheel-drive. In 1959, the B Series took over, pushing the large passenger hauler to a level playing field with the B Series trucks.

Not only did this mean some styling upgrades, it also meant things like power steering, V8 engine options and power brakes. All of these upgrades were made in an effort to make the Travelall less commercial and appeal more to the general public.

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For those folks looking to purchase a new B Series Travelall, there were several options available including the ½-ton range B-100, 110 and 112 models, all the way up to the ¾-ton B-120, which was available in a four-wheel-drive configuration. A model offering a larger gross vehicle weight was also offered in the form of the B-122, which featured higher rated springs.

In April of 1961, the Travelall was upgraded again, this time to the C Series. With this came a new chassis, lower body, and independent front torsion bar suspension system. It also brought a longer 119-inch wheelbase for the lower level C-100 and 110 models.

Available with a flip-down tailgate or two rear doors, in addition to the growing number of passenger doors (now four), the C Series ran through 1964, being replaced by the D Series in 1965, which brought with it minor cosmetic changes.

In 1969, a thorough makeover on the Travelall occurred, reigning in the upcoming decade with new numbers (D-1000, 1100, 1200), a new body design, and new engines (from a rare 232ci I6 to three V8 options up to 392ci). In 1972, the inline-six engine was dropped from the option list, leaving only IH V8s.

Then in 1973 and 1974, International Harvester experienced a shortage in its own V8s so the Travelall was available with a AMC 401ci V8. With this option, the model was called the V-400.

Between 1973 and 1974, the modified Travelall called the Wagon Master was also available, offering Travelall style and running gear, but featuring a short pickup bed in place of the rear cargo area.

Progressing through the early 70s, the Travelall didn’t do too bad for itself, but with declining power ratings, financial setbacks at IH, and disagreements over internal development resources, the Travelall saw its demise in mid-1975, along with the similar truck model.