Today, f you're looking for something a little different from the usual Ford and Chevy pickups, his 1947 International KB-1 should fit the bill. It's beautifully restored to show standards and really stands out in an increasingly crowded field. This handsome pickup has been treated to a recent frame-on restoration that gives it the perfect blend of good looks, efreshed cosmetics, nd do-anything functionality. In short, ou can take this one to Home Depot on Saturday to do your hauling and still have fun at the car show on Sunday. Hunter Green paint looks great on the curvy sheetmetal, nd thanks to a recent color sand and buff, as a fantastic shine. With a barrel-shaped grille, t stands out from the usual brands, nd it generates a lot of attention simply by virtue of its uniqueness. International pioneered the use of an all-steel bed, hich has been covered in diamond plate for durability, nd sitting on a 125-inch wheelbase, t carries an 8-foot bed so you can carry the big stuff with ease. The chrome trim, anging from the excellent hood ornament to the door handles to the accessory front bumper, s in great condition, oo.

The interior is working-class simple, ut that's part of the appeal of old pickups. The green vinyl bench seat was replaced during the recent freshening and still looks like new, he floors are fitted with a reproduction rubber mat, nd the simple door panels are painted to match the body. The steering wheel wears a green wrap that makes it a bit easier to grab and hold and really dresses things up inside. The gauges are original and they are in surprisingly good condition, ith secondary controls clustered in the center of the painted steel dash. For ventilation there's a crank-open windshield as well as an under-dash heater.

Power for all KB-series pickups came from International's bulletproof 214 cubic inch inline-six, nown as the "Green Diamond." With 82 horsepower and 160 pounds of torque, t was competitive with the trucks from the other guys, ut where it really shines is durability. The engine bay wears fresh green paint on the engine, correct single-barrel carburetor, nd quite a few new components, ncluding fresh tune-up gear, n air filter, nd belts and hoses. Checking the block and the firewall data plate indicates that this is indeed the truck's original, atching-numbers engine and it runs superbly. It starts easily with just a little choke, nd has a wonderful commercial-grade grumble from the exhaust system, hich is new. A 4-speed manual gearbox was intended for tough conditions, nd first gear is probably superfluous today, s it pulls away smartly in second and fourth is direct drive, o it can cruise happily at 50 MPH. The chassis is extremely clean with no signs of rust or previous accident damage, o if you're looking for a truck with a clean history, ou won't find many nicer than this. The recently serviced hydraulic brakes are reasonably good for a vehicle of this vintage, nd the original 16-inch steel wheels have been painted black, itted with "dog dish" hubcaps, nd a set of authentic-looking Michelin radials.

A cool old truck that looks exactly right as-is, r could be the foundation of something truly unique. Reliable, un, nd practical, his International will cause a stir wherever it goes simply by virtue of its rarity; when was the last time you saw one? Call today!