The International L series was introduced by International Harvester in fall 1949 as the replacement for the KB series and were available as everything from light pickup trucks and delivery vehicles to full-size tractor-trailers. Electric wipers, a radio, and a clock were optional.[1] International would continue to produce the line until 1953 when it was replaced by the R series.
Heavier versions such as the L-150 to L-180 models had taller bodywork to accommodate a bigger engine, beefier chassis, and larger wheels. To hide this in appearance, they receive an extra, full-width chrome grille bar underneath the other two and the headlights. The L-185-L210 models had a longer, narrower hood and taller grille than all the smaller models, surrounded by oversized fenders. These trucks were a different look although they have the same cab as the smaller trucks. Of the pickup-type bodies, these were available in 6ft and 8ft lengths. On L-130 models, a 9-1/2ft long pickup bed of same design was available and accommodated dual rear wheels. Two different styles of IH factory flatbeds with removable sides were also available for sizes up to L-180. Other bodies were designed around the basic truck chassis of each series, such as the "Metro" LM120-122 and LM150-152, the "bread trucks" used by bakeries or laundries for example. They hardly resembled the L-Line. The LB-140 Milk Delivery truck was also an oddity with its looks and revolutionary semi-automatic clutch, however it had the L-line face. The LC160-162 and LC180-182 cab-over trucks, or cab-forwards" as they were then called, were another oddity of their own.
1952 International AL-130 (Australia)
The L series was also built in Australia, where it was called the AL series.
The first of the marketing names
The "Schoolmaster": L-153, L-163, L-173, L-183, and L-193. The L-193 bus had the same nose style as the L190-up trucks.[citation needed]
The "Loadstar": First introduced in the L-Line, as the L-164, L-174, L-184, L-194, and L-204. It was the model with the heaviest capacity within each series. The "4's" were the only ones to have the "Loadstar" decal on the dash.
The "Roadliner": First introduced in the L-Line, assigned to the L-165, L-175, L-185, L-195, and L-205. The Roadliner was IH's specific "premier" tractor truck model "loaded" with comforts and work-ready, which means not all tractors are the "5's." It was common to see basic L-190 tractors or L-183 tractors, for example. The customer typically ordered the cab & chassis package they wanted and had a body or 5th-wheel installed elsewhere.[citation needed]
Mining, construction, and industrial
To further bolster its presence alongside IH's own massive line of heavy construction equipment and meet highway weight limits, the LF-170, LF-190, and LF-210 series was built. These were tandem-axle 6x4 drivetrain trucks for hauling heavier loads than their 4x2 counterparts. For example, the GVW of a L-194 is 25,500 vs the 38,000 of the LF-194.
Engines
The lighter-duty versions were equipped with the all-new OHV"Silver Diamond" engines in two different sizes (220cid & 240cid), while the medium-duty versions retained the older 269ci "Blue Diamond", also an OHV engine, although it was now called the "Super Blue Diamond" after some detail improvements.[2] The BD-269 has the same peak power as the smallest, but offers more torque, at 222lb⋅ft (301N⋅m) versus 192lb⋅ft (260N⋅m) for the Silver Diamond 240.[3]
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