– Posted on December 10, 2025
Over the years, we have done many posts on the changing shape of cars; however, when it comes to trucks, shape is a constant. Size and height shifts (and amenities!), on the other hand, can be something to study. And this pair uploaded by Saint Sacrilicious to the CC Cohort, a 1976-1980 Terra and 2017 or so F250, got me thinking about the topic; even if the angle is tricky, and they’re not quite the best models to make the case. But even so, as the neat pair they are, they do show that life has gone upwards and larger. And that is a look that many look forward to, and often enhance.
If we were to make a better contrast, we would ideally have, let’s say, a 1961-1968 era International truck against some current offering. After all, those International…
– Posted on December 10, 2025
Over the years, we have done many posts on the changing shape of cars; however, when it comes to trucks, shape is a constant. Size and height shifts (and amenities!), on the other hand, can be something to study. And this pair uploaded by Saint Sacrilicious to the CC Cohort, a 1976-1980 Terra and 2017 or so F250, got me thinking about the topic; even if the angle is tricky, and they’re not quite the best models to make the case. But even so, as the neat pair they are, they do show that life has gone upwards and larger. And that is a look that many look forward to, and often enhance.
If we were to make a better contrast, we would ideally have, let’s say, a 1961-1968 era International truck against some current offering. After all, those Internationals were from a period when the low-wide mantra had a mighty sway over the automotive landscape, to the point that even truck builders went after it. As much as the format allowed, of course. From what I can tell, International was the one to go furthest on that idea, with the 1961-1968 being the most influenced by the tendency. It’s something Paul touched on a while ago with a Travelall model from those years.
Dimensions do make a difference if we stick to the 1961-1968 models, and recently, Hyperpack (Slant Six) uploaded to the Cohort a model from the era that also had me thinking about the subject. The shape, so low, got me wondering whether it had been lowered or not –It hasn’t, and even got larger wheels than the Travelall caught by Paul.
In any case, a mid-sixties International 1100 could run as low as 66.5″, climbing to 72.8″, depending on model (and not counting 4WD ones). The F250 featured today? Anywhere from 77.8″ to 82.1″. Admittedly, the F250 is a heavy duty truck, but if we went with the contemporary F150 (2014-2020), that’s 75.2″ to 76.9″.
The International Light Trucks from 1969 started to climb progressively upwards, and today’s Scout Terra is actually a substantial vehicle for the time. As a survivor, it’s a rare one, from a time when off-roading as a hobby was in its early stages and coming up with unexpected variations. Also, its conception came when International’s fortunes were floundering –the kind of scenario when creators go bold and desperate.
A spinoff from the unibody Scout II, the model was covered by JP a while back. With a removable fiberglass top, it was sold as “a packhorse for work and pleasure,” with advertising accentuating an outdoorsy lifestyle. Sizewise, it was a mix, as JP said, “It was larger than the new crop of compact pickups but smaller than the standard sized trucks (including the dearly departed “Other Pickup” from International.) On a 118 inch wheelbase, the Terra was a big jump over the Scout II’s 100 inch wheelbase and was even a little longer than the 115 inches on the shortest wheelbase of the 100 Series of the departed Light Line pickups…”
Clearly, these later Scout models didn’t save International, but little could have by then. Still, it’s a good memento that shows the many ways in which the segment was transitioning away from its workhorse roots.
Not noticeable from this angle, but the Terra’s 118″ wheelbase pales against the F250’s, which came in 4 lengths and ranged from 141.6″ to 176.0″. Clearly this F250 towers over the International (even with this Terra’s larger wheels), though we don’t really know from this angle what the suspension setup is on this F250; it could be far from stock, for all we know. Also, the Terra’s windshield looks Model-T like against the F250’s wind-tested one. Whatever mods these two have had since new, they make the case that life has gone upwards and plusher. Even where I live, in Central America, large modern F150s and F250s have become somewhat common, not the rarities they once were.
And we can probably have a whole post on how these two differ in their interiors and amenities. On the other hand, both can work, and both can provide pleasure. It’s all a matter of which flavor you prefer.
Related CC Reading
Curbside Classic: 1976 International Scout Terra – The Hometown Truck