Closing in on 400 hours....

400 hours seems like a lot!

That's 10 work weeks. But if you say 2 and a half months, it doesn't seem that long. Thing is, restoring a vehicle is almost ALL labour. While a body shop would charge $100.00 per hour, which would be $40,000.00 to date, I charge half of that. Restoring vehicles and paying retail is cost prohibitive for most people, not to mention having way more into most vehicles than they can ever be worth when sold or insured. I'm happy to help though as I love my side job, love restoring great vehicles and always appreciate a great reason for restoring something for someone.

On the '56 International 4-by, the filler work is coming along. The box was by far the worst of it, but it now has a new floor, is reinforced to way more than factory standards, is completely rust free and getting straighter by the hour, as is the cab.

Filler work on right door. The side had entire bottom portion replaced with new metal -

Filler work on box - a minimum of fill was required due to so much work in metal finishing.

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1956 International Harvester 4x4 - is DONE and DELIVERED

After 3 long years, the 1956 IHC 4x4 is finally done! Owners came and picked it up and was thrilled!! This is a VERY rare truck that you can't just open a catalogue and to order parts. As show in the many previous posts, I either fabricated or scrounged to find many of the parts needed to finish it.

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Below - on the 4-post lift in the E-tek shop, 

which about the 4th location for it during it's time at #E-tekRestorations. Tow-hooks where installed on by the original owner and they needed to remain to help tell the story.

The cantilevered hood is rare, unique - and a complete pain in the ass! One has to open one side or the other to work on the right or left side of the engine, but neither leaves enough room to work. Luckily you can also lift of the entire hood, but it takes 2 -3 guys and a lot of care to remove it without damaging the edges!

From the side it's a handsome vehicle - especially in 4x4 spec. The wheels use "split rims" all around and so many people are so scared to work on them, one has to hunt for a wheel shop that will do it.

The bed was removed and a new one - trimmed down from another model - was welded into place. The entire inside of the box was smoothed over many months and finally sprayed with box liner and then painted body color. The hog tie downs are farm-spec add ons the owner didn't want to part with.

For a basic, no-spec farm truck, the IHC has a great dash. This model has the uprated heater blower and defroster, 4 wheel-drive transfer case controls and vacuum operated wipers. A suicide knob was added to help with city maneuverability.

ANd here it is, loaded up and leaving the E-tek shop, en-route back to its owners at Regina Beach Campground. A full run-through will be needed next spring to ensure the drive train and engine are all working as they should. Fun times ahead!

  

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