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1/25 scale 1938 International D-2 Pickup
They say that change is inevitable and that is true in many ways. So it seems a bit ironic how in recent years ‘change’ in the automotive world has often meant a revival of the character and style of vehicles from some of the great by-gone days in American history. This is especially evident among car manufacturers, but truck manufacturers are trying it as well. 
A classic example is the International LoneStar truck, a seemingly revolutionary design that certainly stands out when you see one coming down the highway, but it is common knowledge that the influence for this interesting truck was the International D-2 pickup built way back in the late 1930s. The D-2 was rather revolutionary in its own right, with its ‘fat fenders’ and V-type windshield, all steel cab & body, and turret-top cab design.
In the 1930s International was the third largest truck manufacturer in the United States, holding almost 1/3 of the market and breaking the 100,000 units level for the first time in 1937. This was amid pressure from Dodge, which held the number four position and was consistently trying to overtake the number three spot. The D-2 itself made its contribution to total International Truck sales in various forms including pickup, panel, canopy, new commercial station wagon with wooden body, and milk truck, among others. We have chosen to replicate the International D-2 pickup version for our purposes.
Along with the features mentioned earlier, other distinguishing characteristics of the International D-2 cab/chassis included an IH emblem mounted on the nose of the truck, horizontal hood louvers on each side of the hood with an International nameplate in the center of each, split windshields, and a distinctive grille consisting of a series of curved horizontal bars of varied lengths. The headlamp buckets were torpedo-shaped and positioned between the fenders and the hood sides, the running boards extended from behind the fenders to the end of the cab sides, and the engine was the Heavy-Duty 213A and the trucks were equipped with a three-speed selective, synchromesh transmission. Included among the standard equipment were combination tail and stop lights, speedometer, ammeter, oil-pressure gauge, heat indicator, gasoline gauge, instrument light, single-bar front fenders, jack, and tools. The lamp rims, hubcaps, and bumper were chromium plated, and the trim on the grille and hood side panels was polished stainless steel.
Some optional equipment was also available at the time including front & rear bumpers and bumper guards, oversize tires, dual taillights, shock absorbers, wheel trim rings, passenger side-mounted spare tire, rearview mirror, dual windshield wipers, windshield visor, and license frame.
Brochures and sales literature from the period read as if they could have been written today, with an emphasis on ‘greater power and fuel economy’ and ‘dependable low-cost power and performance.’ The six-cylinder, cast-in-block, L-head type D-2 engine featured improved cooling, full pressure lubrication to all main and connecting-rod bearings and piston pins, downdraft carburetion, and oil-bath type air cleaner.
The carrying capacity of the ½ ton D-2 pickup was 2,100 pounds. It had a 13 gallon fuel tank mounted at the rear of the truck frame. The truck was also equipped with a drop-center I beam front axle and a semi-floating, spiral-bevel gear type rear axle.
Our 1/25 scale replica of this truly classic vehicle captures the character and distinctive styling of the original truck. Made of diecast metal including the cab, hood, and pickup body this top quality collectible measures 8” long from bumper-to-bumper, 3” high, and 2.8” wide. It features the unique design of the real D-2 pickup including the V-shaped split windshield, fat fenders, turret top, torpedo headlamps, single bar front bumper, recognizable grille, hood side louvers w/ International emblems, side-mounted spare tire, and short running boards. Working features include an opening tailgate and opening cab doors with an authentically detailed interior complete with gauges panel; window crank; package compartment; throttle, light and choke controls; and accelerator, clutch and service brake pedals. The undercarriage detail includes the drive shaft and exhaust system.
Among the first production runs be watching for #40-0307 IH Dark Green w/ Black fenders, #40-0290 IH Red w/ Black fenders, and #40-0294 ‘IH’ branded with IH Cream body and IH Red fenders. We are certain that at least one of these new pickups will be a perfect fit for your collection!
Last Updated - 3/6/2013 4:17 PM
