28/10/2025
Woke up to a lot of messages concerning this truck. From people wanting to buy it, through information about the prototype, to the critics and cheapskates.
Its full model identification is a International Paystar F-5070 SF. They arrived here in 1978. As a replacement for the aging fleet of International F210’s.
The majority came in with Cummins BC3 290hp non intercooled NTC engines. 9 speed Fullers into Rockwell SSHD’s over Hendrickson walking beam suspensions. Almost all of them had 3.9 rear diff ratios for a top speed of about 110km/h.
There were a few that came in with 350hp NTC’s and 13 speed gearboxes. They were good for just over 125km/h. Which was fast in those days. A lot of them received the 400hp upgrades which was the fashion in the 80’s.
As a school laaitie, I drove one often during holidays. Cement, from Benoni to Kinross. 30t on a tri-axle. No license, no worries. 290 with a 9 speed. I much preferred the Louisville in the same fleet, as that had a 400 and boy, could it pull!
So there you have it. As for the “I buy trucks from whoever at R150” crowd. Does this look like a Viking or Albedo that you can buy from the shelf? Like everything I do, it is custombuilt. 12 hours to be exact. You will pay for my time. Get used to it. You have it, or you don’t. You have options, buy a kit and do it yourself. You want a fine detail one, R1250 end of story.
To the 4 that did get owners……. lekker julle!!!!!!
