International Metro Van

Last updated
International Metro, Metro Van, Metro Mite, Metro-Lite, Metro Walk-in Cab
Preserved International Harvester Metro Van in Portland in 2015.jpg
A preserved Metro Van in 2015
Overview
Manufacturer International Harvester
Also calledMetro
Production1938-1975
Assembly United States
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Light-duty Van or Coach (bus), Class 1-3
Medium-duty van or truck, Class 4-6
Body style Van MPV or COE truck
Layout R.W.D. C.O.E.
RelatedD-series truck, Scout
Chronology
SuccessorMetroStar, eStar

The International Metro Van, made by International Harvester, is a step van, also known as walk-in or multi-stop delivery truck. This vehicle type was one of the earlier, mass-produced forward control vehicles, once commonly used for milk or bakery delivery, as well as ambulance services, mobile offices, and radio transmitter vans. [1] Typically, they were 1/2-, 3/4-, or 1-ton panel trucks that allowed the driver to stand or sit while driving the vehicle.

Contents

Variations included a passenger bus called a Metro Coach, a Metro partial cab-chassis with front-end sections (for end-user customization), and a cab-over truck called a "walk-in cab". The truck (also called a chassis cab) variation could be configured with a separate box or container for cargo transport or left open to be fitted with other equipment such as a compactor for a garbage truck or a stake bed. [2]

History

The International Harvester Metro Van was produced in the United States from 1938 until 1975 and sold internationally. The drive train was originally based on the 1937-40 D-Series trucks. One of the first models built was sold to the Czechoslovakian Army and destroyed by the German army during World War II.

Unlike their trucks and other vehicles, the Metro bodies were built by the Metropolitan Body Company on Grand Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a company that International Harvester would later purchase in 1948. [3] Final assembly was then done in one of the IH manufacturing plants. The original design was by Raymond Loewy of Studebaker and Coke bottle fame. The Metro design was one of several with which Loewy was involved or created during his association with International Harvester.

The overall design of the Metro vans remained somewhat unchanged from 1938 until 1964 when it was redesigned by the in-house design team in the Chicago Metro plant to be competitive with the Boyertown and Hackney vans. The corners were squared and an opening hood was added for easier access to coolant and oil dipstick. An eight-cylinder engine was also made available. [4]

In the 1950s, International Harvester began producing variations such as the "Metro-Lite," and "Metro-Multi-Stop" vans. In 1959, the "Metro Mite" was introduced.[ citation needed ] It was based on the Scout drive train. In 1960 the "Bookmobile" was built by the Metropolitan Body Company on an IHC chassis. [5] By 1972, all IHC Metro Vans were stripped-chassis that other manufacturers could build on. After 1975 they were discontinued along with all other light-duty trucks except for the Scout, which was last made in 1980.

The Metro Van was re-issued by Navistar in 2000, as a medium-sized delivery truck. Other than by model name, it is unrelated to the original Metro line.

In 2005, Navistar purchased the Workhorse Group, a manufacturer of step-van and motor home chassis, to seemingly re-enter the delivery van market. For a short time Workhorse offered an integrated chassis-body product, similar in nature to the original International Harvester van, called the MetroStar. [6] In September 2012, Navistar announced the discontinuation of Workhorse and the closure of the plant in Union City, Indiana. [7]

Metropolitan Body Company

Metropolitan Body Co. manufacturer plate located next to IHC build plate above passenger side front window Misc 474.JPG
Metropolitan Body Co. manufacturer plate located next to IHC build plate above passenger side front window

With the introduction of the Metro Van body in 1937, a new manufacturing facility opened at 151 Kossuth Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut. All Metro Van bodies through its closing in the early 1970s were built in the Kossuth Street facility. Metro Van bodies were sold for all major truck builder platforms until 1947, when it started producing exclusively for International Harvester as it switched back to commercial production from building gun turrets and bomb blast shields for the war effort. MBC became a wholly owned subsidiary of International Harvester in January, 1948.

During the late 1930s MBC were pioneers in the development of cab over engine (COE) route delivery bodies. MBC had an extensive patent protected line of utility cabs, beds, and bodies with unique functional aspects that likely contributed to International Harvester Company's position as an innovator and market leader in the commercial truck industry in the latter half of the 20th century. [5]

Original Loewy design distinction

D-M (D Series Metro)
1941 D15M 1.jpg
1941 D15M Metro Van
Overview
ManufacturerMetropolitan Body Co. & International Harvester
Model years 1938-1940
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Van
Body style MPV
Layout RWD COE
Related Scout
Powertrain
Engine 6 cylinder Inline
Transmission Manual
Chronology
SuccessorK Series

The initial model of the Metro series was the version that adhered closest to the original Loewy design. Known as the "D" or "D-M" series these vans had several unique features that were later dropped for as yet unknown reasons. Some of these features included teardrop shaped headlights (similar to those found on 1937 & '38 Ford coupes and sedans), rear fender skirts (coverings) with deco styled "Metro" badges, "triple diamond" IHC grill emblem, and a more streamlined front end configuration lacking the more angular design of later Metros. This original road vehicle design is sometimes referred as the "giant scarab" which is consistent with the Egyptian influences of the Art Deco movement. A review of Loewy's other designs for items such as streamlined locomotives shows his interest in wind-cheating "swept back" contours. [4]

Model Series

IHC Metro build plate, located above passenger side front window Misc 473.JPG
IHC Metro build plate, located above passenger side front window

The powertrain of the Metro vans was typically based on an equivalent series International light- or medium-duty truck. For example, an LM-120 1/2 ton Metro van (5,400 lb weight capacity or GVWR) with a 7 3/4 or 9 1/2 foot body effectively had the IH engine (SD-220), transmission, rearend, wheels (although with varying bolt patterns), and braking system of an L-120 pickup truck. [LM120/150 1] With the introduction of each new series of truck, updated Metro vans were included as part of their commercial line.

Metro model designations can be difficult to decode considering that the differently configured vehicles could have the same model number. For example, in reference to the LM-120 mentioned previously it was available in several different wheelbase and body lengths yet its GVWR (5,400 lbs) remained the same. Each series has unique models and configurations that may have common features or functions across the series.

Model numbers were typically coded into the VIN number along with the chassis serial number (a.k.a. "build number", its position in the production sequence) and any other special identifying code(s).

The suffix number (i.e. "120" of "LM-120") would typically refer to the weight class (GVWR) of the vehicle. As the suffix number increased, so did the designated carrying capacity. In some instances, this number was also used to designate the weight capacity along of a certain model vehicle with particular features or functions. [2]

KM/KBM (K Series Metro)
Overview
ManufacturerMetropolitan Body Co. & International Harvester
Model years 1941-1942, WW2 shutdown, 1946-1949
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Van
Body style MPV
Layout RWD COE
Related IH K/KB-series
Powertrain
Engine 6 cylinder Inline
Transmission Manual
Chronology
SuccessorLM Series
LM (L Series Metro)
Overview
Also calledLM-120, LM-121, LM-122, LM-150, LM-151, LM-152
Model years 1950-1952
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Van
Body style MPV
Layout RWD COE
Related IH L-series
Powertrain
Engine 6 cylinder Inline
Transmission Manual
Chronology
PredecessorKM/KBM series
SuccessorRM series
RM (R Series Metro)
Overview
Model years 1953-1955
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Van
Body style MPV
Layout RWD COE
Related IH R-series
Powertrain
Engine 6 cylinder Inline
Transmission Manual
SM (S Series Metro)
Overview
Model years 1956-1958
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Van
Body style MPV
Layout RWD COE
Related IH S-series
Powertrain
Engine 6 cylinder Inline
Transmission Manual
AM (A Series Metro), Metro • Walk-In Cab
Overview
Also calledAM-80, AM-120, AM-130, AM-150, AMC-150, AM-160, AMC-160
Model years 1959-1961
Body and chassis
Related IH A-series
BM/CM-Series
Overview
Model years 1962-1972
Body and chassis
Body style Box, new design

See also

Notes

  1. International Trucks with All-Steel Metro Bodies. International Harvester #A-32-NN. 1950. p. 24.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford E-Series</span> Line of vans by American automaker

The Ford E-Series is a range of full-size vans manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced for 1961 as the replacement of the Ford F-Series panel van, four generations of the model line have been produced. Marketed for both cargo and passenger transport configurations, the E-Series has been designed with multiple design variations for both retail and commercial sale, including vans, and commercial-grade cutaway van chassis and stripped chassis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Excursion</span> American heavy-duty SUV

The Ford Excursion is a heavy-duty SUV that was sold by Ford from 2000 to 2005. At the time of its introduction, the Excursion was the longest and heaviest SUV ever to enter mass production. The third Ford SUV derived from the F-Series pickup trucks, the model line used a heavier-duty chassis and frame than the Expedition; both vehicles competed against the Chevrolet Suburban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Harvester</span> American manufacturing company

The International Harvester Company was an American manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment, automobiles, commercial trucks, lawn and garden products, household equipment, and more. It was formed from the 1902 merger of McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvester Company and three smaller manufacturers: Milwaukee; Plano; and Warder, Bushnell, and Glessner. Its brands included McCormick, Deering, and later McCormick-Deering, as well as International. Along with the Farmall and Cub Cadet tractors, International was also known for the Scout and Travelall vehicle nameplates. In the 1980s all divisions were sold off except for International Trucks, which changed its parent company name to Navistar International.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navistar</span> American industrial company

Navistar, Inc. is an American holding company created in 1986 as the successor to International Harvester. Navistar operates as the owner of International-branded trucks and diesel engines. The company also produces buses under the IC Bus brand. On July 1, 2021, Navistar became a wholly owned subsidiary of Traton, and therefore part of the Volkswagen Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Travelall</span> Model line of full-size station wagons/SUVs

The International Harvester Travelall is a model line of full-size station wagons/SUVs that were manufactured by International Harvester from 1953 to 1975. One of the first competitors of the Chevrolet Suburban, the Travelall was a truck-based station wagon, serving as a forerunner of modern people carriers and full-size sport utility vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International L series</span> Type of truck

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. International would continue to produce the line until 1953 when it was replaced by the R series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International DuraStar</span> Medium-duty truck series

The International MV, known as the 4000 series prior to 2008 and the DuraStar from 2008 to 2018, is a line of medium-duty trucks produced by Navistar International since 2001. Introduced as the successor to the International 4000 series of 1989–2001, the 4000 series was renamed the DuraStar in 2008. Sharing its chassis with the medium-duty Ford F-Series, the International DuraStar competed against chassis cab vehicles derived from pickup trucks, such as the Freightliner M2 and the Hino 600, Developed as a Class 6-7 product range, the 4000/DuraStar was slotted below the 8000/TranStar regional-haul semitractor, with the Class 5 International TerraStar (2010–2015) serving as the smallest International conventional-cab product range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Transtar</span> Truck range

The International TranStar, is a range of Class 8 trucks produced by Navistar International for North America. Produced nearly exclusively as a semitractor, the product range is focused towards local delivery and regional shipping.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Loadstar</span> Motor vehicle

The International Loadstar is a series of trucks that were produced by International Harvester from 1962 to 1978. The first product line of the company developed specifically as a medium-duty truck, the Loadstar was slotted between C-Line pickup trucks and the heavy-duty R-series. Following the discontinuation of the R-series, the Loadstar was slotted below the Fleetstar and Transtar conventionals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International S series</span> Motor vehicle

The International S series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by International Harvester from 1977 to 2001. Introduced to consolidate the medium-duty IHC Loadstar and heavy-duty IHC Fleetstar into a single product range, the S series was slotted below the Transtar and Paystar Class 8 conventionals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multi-stop truck</span> Truck used for local deliveries

A multi-stop truck is a type of commercial vehicle designed to make multiple deliveries or stops, with easy access to the transported cargo held in the rear. They are usually vans or trucks designed to be used as fleet vehicles by businesses within local areas. They typically use commercial truck chassis with a generally larger, taller body and sometimes also a longer or shorter wheelbase. Though they have traditionally been powered by internal combustion engines, into the 21st century many multi-stop trucks have begun shifting to electric truck platforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International S series (bus chassis)</span> Motor vehicle platform

The bus chassis variant of the International S series is a cowled bus chassis that was produced by International Harvester from 1979 to 2001. Produced primarily for school bus applications, the chassis was also produced for other applications, including commercial-use buses and cutaway-cab buses. In addition, the cowled chassis formed the basis for front-engine and rear-engine stripped chassis produced for bus applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International R series</span> Motor vehicle platform

The International R series is a model range of trucks that was manufactured by International Harvester. Introduced in 1953 as the replacement for the International L series, the model line marked the introduction of the IH "tractor" grille emblem on International road vehicles. Sharing a cab with its predecessor, the R-series marked the introduction of four-wheel drive vehicles and the wider use of diesel engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International TerraStar</span> Motor vehicle

The International TerraStar is a medium-duty truck that was manufactured by International Trucks from 2010 to 2015. The smallest conventional-cab truck ever produced by International, the TerraStar competed against chassis-cab vehicles derived from large pickup trucks along with the smallest versions of the Freightliner M2 and Hino 600. Though never officially designated by the company as a replacement for the 2006-2009 CityStar LCF COE, the TerraStar is of similar dimensions and GVWR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series (ninth generation)</span> Ninth generation of the Ford F-Series trucks

The ninth generation of the Ford F-Series is a lineup of trucks that were produced by Ford from the 1992 to 1998 model years. The final generation of the F-Series to include a complete range of trucks from a half-ton F-150 pickup truck to a medium-duty F-800 commercial truck, this is the third generation of the F-Series body and chassis introduced for 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Light Line pickup</span> Motor vehicle

The International Light Line pickups replaced the C-Series as International's Light Line range of pickup trucks in early 1969, for a shortened model year. The name started out as a simple continuation of the previous A-, B-, and C-series trucks. It was largely a rebodied version of its predecessors, with a square-rigged look very similar to the period Scout utility vehicle. The Travelall underwent parallel changes to the Light Line trucks. The light line of trucks was marked by a larger range of transmission and wheelbase options than any of its competitors, and in general the lineup aimed to maximize adaptability. The Light Line was also available as a bare chassis, for special purpose applications. Production ended in late April 1975, as a hard-pressed International chose to focus on the Scout and on heavier machinery.

The International C series and its succeeding models is a series of pickup trucks that were built by International Harvester from 1961 to 1968. They succeeded the earlier B-series range.

Workhorse Group Incorporated, originally AMP Electric Vehicles, is an original equipment manufacturer and technology company headquartered in Sharonville, Ohio, U.S. Workhorse makes electric delivery vans, drones, and telematics software designed for last-mile delivery. Their products include commercial electric vehicles, Horsefly delivery drones, and a Metron telematics software system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workhorse C-Series</span> Motor vehicle

The Workhorse C-Series was an American line of battery electric medium-duty delivery vans built by Workhorse Group for commercial package delivery company fleets, which entered limited production in 2021, were recalled that September, and were discontinued in 2022 after fewer than fifty were built. The C-Series was originally named the N-GEN when the line was first announced in 2017. N-GEN prototypes began testing in 2018 and were renamed to the C-Series in 2019.

References

  1. Staff. "History and Development of International Harvester". Wisconsin State Historical Society. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 Carlson, B Mitchell. "The Timeless Metro". Red Power. Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec, Jan/Feb. 27 & 28: 34–36.
  3. "Metropolitan Body Company". 1948 International Harvester Annual Report. 1949. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  4. 1 2 Carlson, B Mithchell (March–April 2013). "The International Harvest Metro Van". Vintage Truck.
  5. 1 2 "Metropolitan Auto and Carriage Co., Metropolitan Body Co". CoachBuilt.com.
  6. Berg, Tom (12 September 2012). "Navistar Shutting Down Workhorse as Part of Cost-Cutting". Heavy Duty Trucking. Retrieved 3 December 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. "Breaking News". RV Business. 12 September 2012. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2012.

Further reading

Commons-logo.svg Media related to International Metro Van at Wikimedia Commons