Australian International K5

[Matt Austin]

G'day folks,

I'm new to this forum, although I've been a lurker for quite some time. Thanks for letting me join. I notice that there are many Aussies on this forum, and that's a good thing for those of us who are hoping to learn. I'm an Aussie, living in Junee, in the NSW Riverina.

For years, the truck in the first attached pic has sat by a road leading into Junee. A mobile advertising billboard for a local law firm, it had captured my attention as looking to be ex-military. I tracked the owner down, and he very graciously allowed me to acquire it, for which I'm very grateful.

I've tried to research the Australian use of the K5, with a level of success. This one is interesting in that it is different from the usual steel-cab K-series Inter trucks seen out here. I've tracked down a couple of shots of the canvas-roofed ones, but have found nothing about them; how many were built, what they were used for, and whether many survive.

This truck was owned by a local family for years, and spent much of its time under cover, so there is very little structural corrosion. It was going to be disposed of, before it was saved by the gentleman who owned it before me. It has a wheat bag kicker fitted, but very few other mods. It is missing its seat and a few other small components, but I've managed to track down a replacement instrument cluster, side step and some engine parts.

I'd like to return it to its military condition, although I'm not in a hurry to think about painting, as the original paint is still not bad. I've used a light grade oil (as seen in Pic 2 and Pic 3) to see whether I could make out any numbers on the bonnet/hood, without success. The tray is pretty-well stuffed, but I imagine that it previously had timber sides. There's a plate stating from GMH's Special Body Division, but I don't know whether this refers to the tray or whether GMH assembled this truck.

The pics show the truck as it sat by the road, followed by some close-up pics. I'll upload more shots in subsequent posts.

I'd be very keen to hear what people might have to say, either about the use of the type in Australia, or suggestions as to the work to be undertaken. All suggestions, thoughts, and comments are appreciated. I'm new to this, having an aviation background, but I want to do it right.

Cheers,
Matt

[Keith Webb]

Welcome to MLU Matt, and thanks for sharing the pics of the truck. For some reason the Inters and Dodges (other than the WC series) aren't as well represented in collections as they perhaps should be.

There are plenty here who will be very interested and hopefully you will uncover more about this vehicle.

Good call to leave the original patina!

[Matt Austin]

G'day folks,

Some more pics. I note that the original military paint has been painted over in a lighter colour. I wonder if the later coat has faded more, due to a different chemical makeup, or whether it just was painted in a lighter colour sometime in its military career.

I note the military six-stud split rims, and imagine that I'm going to have challenges finding replacement 10.50-18 tyres for the front and 7.50-20s for the rear.

The last two pics are after I pumped up the tyres (which are still holding air after six weeks) and moved it to a quieter location, away from interested eyes! The sign had been moved to a replacement vehicle, and all is good!

Cheers,
Matt

[Matt Austin]

Thanks for your response, Keith, I figure there have to be more of them out there. I put out a call for parts, and received a call from a bloke who has a similar vehicle, that he recently rescued from being scrapped. It's apparently complete, and I'm going out to have a look in the next week or so. Best part is, it's only 50km from home!

A pic showing the different colours is attached.

Cheers,
Matt

[Keith Webb]

The top colour is actually just a weathered version of the bottom one.

[Matt Austin]

Fascinating, thanks Keith.

I guess seventy Australian summers will do that.

One thing that struck me when we were towing the truck to where it is now, was the good view I had as I was steering it. I've never been behind the wheel of a vehicle with that type of bonnet and guards, so I was surprised with the ease of steering, given the the 'prow' of the bonnet clearly shows the direction in which one is headed.

Cheers,
Matt

[Mike K]

There was a well known collector at Marrar near you ... he died recently and his collection of vehicles was split up, he had lots of MV's , mostly Fords .

Mike

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Nice find Matt, should be a great introduction to truck restorations as well as being a little unusual.
Rich.

[Howard]

G'Day Matt, and welcome to the forum.
As you can see from my address, we are near neighbours, and yea I have driven by your truck quite a few times.
I also know of another in the Harefield area, it appears to be ex-military but has been knocked around a bit more than yours.
I don't know much about the old Inters, but I'm sure you'll find people here who do!
Keep us updated on the progress of your restoration.
Cheers
Howard
PS Maybe see you at the Junee Swap Meet?

[Bob McNeill]

you certainly lowered the quality of the bill board, the old Bedford looks out of place.

[Tony Wheeler]

G'day Matt and welcome to MLU and the wonderful world of MV collection/restoration! Well done on saving the Inter, a very worthy project indeed. Look forward to seeing it at Corowa next year!

There was another one on ebay a while back, can't remember where it was but it may be the one near you. I've seen a few in my travels so I'll dig up some pics for interest.

[Tony Wheeler]

[lynx42]

Hi Matt,

Welcome to MLU. I see you have also put out a call on the HCVC site. so you will certainly get plenty of info from both.

http://www.hcvc.com.au/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1380883201

There are a couple of these K5's in our area. One has the bull fronted stakeside tray made by GMH.

Try this site for info on IHC. http://museumvictoria.com.au/collect...-ih-collection

Good luck with the resto. Should be pretty straight forward as you have a great start.

Regards Rick.

[Matt Austin]

Thank very much, folks, your responses are appreciated.

Howard, I will be at the Junee swap meet, so I'll get in touch beforehand so I can say g'day. The Inter at Harefield sounds interesting.

There seem to be a few MVs around the Riverina, and I'm interested to learn that there are more collectors around here than I thought. A bloke told me of a wartime Chev truck a little north from here, but I didn't hear back from him. Mike, funny how these things can be just down the road. Looks like I'm too late to find out about the Marrar collection. A local friend of mine has the Fargo in the picture; it belonged to his grandfather, and my friend painted it with blue housepaint as a ten year-old. He has recovered it to restore, and the wheels are purely to get it on and off the trailer.

Tony, the truck in your pics could be from the same batch. It looks like someone is doing it up. So, there may be a few of them out there in preservation? Richard, it's certainly unusual, and I hope to learn a good bit along the way. Rick, the HCVC people have been very helpful, as your link shows. Bob, the Bedford doesn't have the same appeal as the Inter, but I probably wouldn't have been interested in a more modern civillian vehicle!

So thanks again; the fun continues!

Cheers,
Matt

[John Mackie]

Welcome to MLU Mat, I noticed yesterday that the truck was "missing". I often drive past the site and have admired your truck. The baby quin is still a bit further up the hill!
i went to junee swap last year and have had a stand at coota swapfor many years
Good luck with the restoration, hope to see you and the truck at Corowa.

[Matt Austin]

Thanks John.

Ah, so that's what the four-wheeled trailer is? I noticed that it had military split hubs, very similar to the ones on the K5, but didn't know what to call it to search online.

Here's hoping I'll meet you and the other Aussie MLUers at Corowa.

Cheers,
Matt

[Mike K]

Matt

The AWM has these pics. BTW you should do a swap with a Austin owner

BTW I owned one of those Dodge Fargo utes for years as my everyday car , it was in original cond, unrestored , it was a reliable vehicle , never broke down on long trips Mike

[Mike K]

More pics ........................

[Matt Austin]

Thanks very much, Mike, those pics are terrific!

Makes me wonder why mine had the split-rims while most of them had spider hubs? Standardisation maybe?

Cheers,
Matt

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Matt Austin

Thanks very much, Mike, those pics are terrific!

Makes me wonder why mine had the split-rims while most of them had spider hubs? Standardisation maybe?

Cheers,
Matt

I think you have a larger model maybe , like 5 tonner .

BTW what are those 3 AWAS girls trying to do with that wheel? Is it the annual wheel inspection day

[Lynn Eades]

"you should do a swap with a Austin owner"

Matt is an Austin, Owner.

[Matt Austin]

Hahaha, don't tell my wife!

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

"you should do a swap with a Austin owner"

Matt is an Austin, Owner.

[Stuart McDonald]

Hi Matt,
Here is one that was at our local show in Hamilton Vic back in Oct 2011 but I have not seen it since.

[Matt Austin]

G'day folks,

Cheers for the pics, Stuart, someone has certainly put some effort into that one. Must be an interesting drive with the top down and no doors!

I'm going to start a thread in the restoration forum. I've received some excellent information, which I'll mention over there.

Thanks very much, folks.

Cheers,
Matt

[motto]

There have been very few of the ex-army K series Inter's restored and it would be great to see one up and running, out and about.
There is only one thing I would ask of you Matt, please don't paint it up gloss!
Gloss paint on an army vehicle that only ever saw service in a flat finish looks garishly wrong and totally ruins the restoration in my opinion. I don't understand why people do that as I feel it makes the vehicle appear more pimp-mobile than HMV.

David

[Matt Austin]

Good call, David. I was thinking of even getting it going and registered, and leaving it in its current paint, for the time being at least. I come from an historic aviation background, so I'm not a big fan of glossy WW2 machinery! With due respect and credit to the gent who restored the truck a couple of posts up.

A nicely-used look would do me, without looking too rat rod-like.

Cheers,
Matt

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by motto

There have been very few of the ex-army K series Inter's restored and it would be great to see one up and running, out and about.

Absolutely, they've been sadly neglected in MV circles and it would be fabulous to see one at Corowa, particularly an Australian ragtop conversion. Here's another one in a yard near you Matt.

[Tony Wheeler]

This may be another one which has had a roof and rear cab transplant.

[Tony Wheeler]

Various early Inters in the same yard. The little one next to the K-Series would make a very cute pickup.

[Tony Wheeler]

This one is in Victoria and I'll be visiting again soon so I'll have a closer look for parts, eg. dashboard.