1951 International Harvester Metro Van a Fully Armed Operational Margarita Truck

1951 International Harvester Other None

An iconic 1951 International Harvester Metro Van designed by Raymond Lowey in 1939 with rare Dually rear end in excellent running condition currently operational in the LA Basin as a Private Event Only, Frozen Margarita Truck.
Originating in the high desert of California this vehicle was among the 9000 some Metro's ordered by the USAF. The truck served as a rolling tool wagon and machine shop at Edwards AFB until being decommissioned in the 60's. The van was rendered unable to be driven off base as best I can tell as the headlights, tail lights, and signals had been removed and put away deep in the cubby box and the vehicle had one 1950s front running light, a single period tail light and a broken spotlight for daily use. The minimal body or chassis wear, and the original Odometer Cluster at 8008 miles also imply it never left the base. Unused, the truck waited around in a military vehicle graveyard in Acton CA until 2004 When it was brought to LA as a Tattoo Parlors dream delivery vehicle where it sat, a dream, unfulfilled, under an awning becoming a storage space then an artists easle until I purchased the Metro in 2014 for the current margarita truck conversion.
The truck was fitted with a freshly built Chevy 350 small block engine and 400 transmission in early 2015 and has put on less than 3000 total miles since. Engine wiring, and wiring harness have just been completely redone and all connections, wires, and engine top end components are brand new. Fresh rebuild to highly reliable Rochester Quadrajet carburetor with less than 100 miles driven. Brand new 15 Gallon fuel tank, working sending unit, new lines, filters and pump.
The frame and body show only surface rust with no serious pits or holes of note throughout the truck. Cosmetically the truck is stripped to bare metal finish then power sanded twice per year and waxed in order to give the vehicle its current SOCal "relic condition" finish. The intent has been to allow the surface to rust and give the vehicle a retro Airplane graveyard finish over a few years then seal up the patina with a clear coat once maximum distress look is achieved. Truck can be sanded down and primered immediately with little labor, or left to continue with the aged steam punk look currently in process.
No METRO lettering on grille, however it has been replaced with an EXTREMELY RARE triple diamond badge from a 1939-1940 Metro.Also of note, this grille is post 1948 angel wings style grille, yet pre 1952 grill with the IH logo in the center.
The cockpit has been left in vintage original condition with the ceiling and newly installed bulk head wall clad in the original paneling from the cargo bay.Dash clusters are all new and working with one 2 1/16 space left over for Clock. New Dolphon Odometer recently plugged in reads sub 100 miles at time of listing. The seat cover is new in the original style and shows minimal wear. No Seat Belt....None Required...very fun to drive.
There is a fully intigrated discrete drive by camera rear and side view system installed which can record up to 9 hours on an SD card. The system is running on its own battery and allows almost 360 degrees of visibility for massive safety improvements while driving and parking accuracy. I put this battery to a trickle charger every 3 days, however with a Solar Battery Maintainer, the camera system can run almost indefinitely
The cargo bay has been stripped and rust proofed from the interior, then heavily insulated with Tyvek and foam before being skinned in food grade 304 stainless steel and given a food grade aluminum ceiling with a mirror finish OSHA approved Tread Plate Floor.
The Metro is sitting on six new (sub 3000 mile) historically correct tires from The Coker Tire co. on their original and restored GM "widow maker" rims with 2 spare inner tubes. Rear tires Military Tread, front tires are Slicks as per 1951 configuration. Rear end was serviced in 2016 and new brake pads were installed at the same time as well as cylinders, lines and drum resurfacing. Front end received brake pad adjustment, new lines, honed cylinders and replaced cylinder pistons in 2015, otherwise still in vintage running original condition.
The load space comes with a built in 7500 watt 60 amp Onan generator running two 30 amp legs on individual outlets which power 1-3 frozen margarita machines depending on the job. The exhaust system of the generator has been routed paralell to the vehicle engine exhaust, disguising the unit inside the load space and externally appearing only as a V8 ported to both sides and run open pipe.
Generator is sold with the truck, soft serve machines, and refrigeration sold individually.
This is neither a dream project, non working, get it going some day vehicle, or a contest quality restoration, nor should it be.
This truck is a private business and daily driver. Unlike most Metro dreams turned money pit nightmare this is a push button, start every time and drive to the next job, fully operational Margarita Truck hiding out as a regular SoCal car.
This Metro retains ALL its original lines as designed and built. The van has had a minimal "food truck" set up beyond the generator box outlets, and correct stainless steel interior with OSHA flooring. The shelves and work flow can be reconfigured easily per job with no lengthy submissions to the city or awaiting approval process. The truck has not been butchered into an unrecognizable mess as a means to satisfying ADA, LA Housing Authority, OSHA, LA County, Board of Health, and or any other regulatory agency beyond the necessary safety inspection of the DOT on title.This vehicle has been spared a Beauruacratic Nightmare bent on mandating add ons or configurations which would effectively destroy the inherent beauty of this Art Deco streamlined vehicle rendering it garbage for any further use. This is a tailgaters dream car and quiet private event, private property only side business not a Street Side Food Truck.
People practical fall off tour busses trying to photograph this car in Hollywood. Everyone you meet will love her. Loads of folks will yell "Jeepers Creepers,Yo," as they pass by referencing the horror film and incorrect car. Still others will take endless selfies while the truck is parked. Old people panic at sight of the thing. Young kids point in amazement. Party people cheer the moment the window opens and Fine Frozen Ice begins to flow and, Police....run the plates, pull up beside you, call out your name, and say "that's a Bad A__ rig man" then speed away as their partner gives a big thumbs up. There is no slight reaction to the sight of this truck in motion and everyone wishes it the best of intentions and projects onto it their dearest hopes dreams at first glance because it says... If this margarita truck is possible. What can I do... It is an inspirational American icon.
And it could be yours.
Please consult the checklist below for specific functionality questions
New Engine wiring harness, plugs, plug wires, distributor, coil, fuel pump, fuel lines, sensor connections, air and fuel filters.
Brand new 15 Gallon fuel tank with working sending unit and 2 fuel sends. 1 fuel send for engine 1 send for generator.
All manuals and instillation instruction sheets, paperwork on rebuild purchases or major work on file.
Dash, safety, and Functionality checklist:Freshly wired dashboard with multi color logical easy to follow routing.Wipers, new motors switch and relay all workingHazards Working.Brake Lights, WorkingHead Lights, working.Amber LED Running Lights, workingBrights Working, Floor foot SwitchHorn Working, Floor Foot SwitchTurn signal Red LED in the dash indicators, WorkingAmber Turn Signals Front WorkingAmber Turn Signals Rear WorkingWhite Reverse light, NOT RequiredExterior Turn Signals WorkingFour Camera Rear View System, workingTachometer WorkingTachometer Light WorkingFive inch Dolphin Speedometer Cluster lights WorkinugSpeedometer WorkingOdometer WorkingFive inch Dolphin Gauge Cluster lights all workingOil Pressure Gauge WorkingFuel Gauge workingBattery Meter WorkingEngine Temp Gauge intermittent unknown cause, suggest installing a second temp gauge as a back up.Rear end Seviced fully 2016Front end brake work and tune up 2015Steering box original. Minor grease leakAll greaseable points done 2015
All windows except drives side triangle appear to have newer gaskets and are original uncracked glass. Drivers side door is a cut of 1960's plexiglass set into the frame while the vehicle was in service it has a horizontal crack which has remained unchanged since purchase and does not threaten to shatter or collapse any time soon.
Room in the dash for one more 2 1/16" gauge, replacement Temp, Ammeter, or Dolphin Clock in Tan to match the other gauges.Original 6v clusters still on hand and sold with the truck. See photos. Original Ammeter currently resting in the available blank slot.
Column mounted Gear shifter installed, not in use. Ready for IDidIt Linkage kit and switching to a column mount gear shifter.
Current shifter in floor made from vehicles original Parking brake lever.
Video of engine starting and turning over, vehicle driving, wipers working Etc Etc available on request please contact me if you have any questions.

• Make: International Harvester
• Model: Other
• SubModel: 350
• Type: Step Van
• Trim: None
• Year: 1951
• Mileage: 12,000
• VIN: 74798R10738
• Color: Brown
• Engine size: Chevy
• Number of cylinders: 8
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: 400
• Drive type: RWD
• Interior color: Stainless Steel
• Vehicle Title: Clear
Want to buy? Contact seller!