International Heavy Trucks Of The 1950s

With worn-out trucks after World War II and plans laid out by the Federal Government to build the Interstate Highway System, truck production really took off in the 1950s. Companies and drivers who used International semi-trucks worked hard to deliver the goods. This large-picture format book shows the fine details of these trucks at work during this productive time period.

The success of International's 1950s semi-trucks continued into the 1960s. Many series were carried over from the 1950s, but International now offered more models in each series to make them more versatile. The pictures you see in this book mainly cover the bigger straight trucks and over-the-road and off-highway trucks; the popular trucks like the V series, R series, D-400, DCO-400, CO-4000, and the line of “stars,” to mention a few. As you look at them, enjoy and admire them, as many are long gone.

After WWII Americans were anxious to re-stoke the economy after a long “make-do with what you have” dry spell. By the 1950s new highways were being built, new trucking companies were being formed and old ones revived. Americans were buying newly-styled cars and the latest technologies once again. Semi-trucks helped pave the way for this huge growth spurt in America with dependable trucks built by Mack, GMC, Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, International, White Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Diamond T, Reo, Autocar, Brockway, Sterling and others, many using the increasingly popular diesel engines made by Buda, Hercules, Waukesha, and Cummins, which helped their heavy loads haul quicker. Ron Adams portrays this booming era with over 300 superb photos of trucks hauling cement, fuel, and a variety of goods to enthusiastic Americans.

This highly visual study examines the important role of trucking in the growth of North America in the 1950s. With 120 images and evocative writing, it encapsulates the histories of the major, minor, obscure, but nonetheless historically significant truck manufacturers. Detailed captions and supportive text complement contemporary brochures, period literature, factory photos and over fifty new, unpublished color photos of restored examples to relate the importance of these historic vehicles.

This book follows on the heels of Semi-Trucks of the 1950s. As the '50s saw new and improved models after the starved war years, the Sixties was the decade for expansion, not only for truck manufacturers with a huge selection of models, but also for the trucking companies themselves with more places to haul. Construction of the Interstate highway system helped pave the way for faster and smoother service, helping reshape the American landscape faster than ever seen before. Gear up for this outstanding selection of 1960s semi-truck photos by Ron Adams. Captions include detailed information about the trucks, trailers, and hauling configurations of a wide range of makers including Mack, Brockway, Autocar, Diamond T, Diamond Reo, Ford, White-Freightliner, GMC, International, Kenworth, and Peterbilt.

American COE (Cab Over Engine) designs began to appear as a way to maximize loads and abide by individual U.S. state length regulations. By shortening the overall length of the truck cab the trailer size could be increased while staying within the overall length limit dictated by each state. COE trucks would help play a vital role in America’s industrial growth over the ensuing decades. All the major truck manufacturers are featured along with the many models offered throughout the decades into the 1970s, as well as a brief look at the COE models offered through the 1980s to today.

This report identifies potential improvements in terms of more effective safety and environmental regulation for trucks, backed by better systems of enforcement, and identifies opportunities for greater efficiency and higher productivity.