This 1959 IH Semi Truck available for sale features windshields positioned below the driver's knees.
**Via Facebook Marketplace**
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Have you ever heard of an International Harvester Sightliner? If your answer is “no,” don’t be concerned. This was a little-known semi-truck that IH produced during the 1950s and ’60s. What set it apart wasn’t its cabover design, which was typical for that time, but the additional glass panes that allowed oncoming traffic to see the driver’s feet. They don't often appear for sale, but there's one available in Goodyear, Arizona, just to the west of Phoenix.
The concept behind the small glass panels positioned below the steering wheel was to enhance visibility for drivers. With the cab situated so high, it could be challenging to see what’s directly in front. IH believed this might solve the problem, yet production of the Sightliner ceased after only a few years. I’ve heard anecdotes that the small windshields acted like magnifying glasses, focusing the sunlight and causing discomfort to drivers’ legs.
I’m curious if those little windshield wipers are functional? **Via Facebook Marketplace**
The unusual design and relative scarcity of these trucks make them quite unique. I've seen only a handful listed online, and they were all in disrepair. This one in Arizona is operational and registered.
As per the seller, restoring this vehicle took four years, and the cab and frame numbers are matching. It’s equipped with a rebuilt 549-cubic-inch gas V8 engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Numerous components are new, including the brakes, air lines, cab jacks, seals, and wiring. I’m intrigued as to why it’s painted in a John Deere color scheme, but perhaps they didn’t favor the classic IH red.
You could go through the effort of searching for another one and customizing it to your liking, or you could buy this already-completed rig for $15,000. I know which option I’d choose, regardless of the green and yellow paint!
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This 1959 IH Semi Truck available for sale features windshields positioned below the driver's knees.
A long-forgotten International Harvester Sightliner has resurfaced, and even better, it is operational and drives well.
