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International Harvester Metro Van

Metro, Metro Van, Metro Mite, Metro-Lite, Metro Walk-in Cab
Preserved International Harvester Metro Van in Portland in 2012.jpg
A preserved Metro Van in 2012
Overview
Manufacturer International Harvester
Also called Metro
Production 1938-1975
Assembly United States
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Light-duty Van or Coach (bus), Class 1-3
Medium-duty van or truck, Class 4-6
Body style Van MPV or COE truck
Layout R.W.D. C.O.E.
Related D-series truck, Scout
Chronology
Successor MetroStar, eStar
D-M (D Series Metro)
Overview
Manufacturer Metropolitan Body Co. & International Harvester
Model years 1938-1940
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Van
Body style MPV
Layout RWD COE
Related Scout
Powertrain
Engine 6 cylinder Inline
Transmission Manual
Chronology
Successor K Series
KM/KBM (K Series Metro)
Overview
Manufacturer Metropolitan Body Co. & International Harvester
Model years 1941, WW2 shutdown, 1946-1949
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Van
Body style MPV
Layout RWD COE
Related IH K/KB-series
Powertrain
Engine 6 cylinder Inline
Transmission Manual
Chronology
Successor LM Series
LM (L Series Metro)
Overview
Also called LM-120, LM-121, LM-122, LM-150, LM-151, LM-152
Model years 1950-1952
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Van
Body style MPV
Layout RWD COE
Related IH L-series
Powertrain
Engine 6 cylinder Inline
Transmission Manual
Chronology
Predecessor KM/KBM series
Successor RM series
RM (R Series Metro)
Overview
Model years 1953-1955
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Van
Body style MPV
Layout RWD COE
Related IH R-series
Powertrain
Engine 6 cylinder Inline
Transmission Manual
SM (S Series Metro)
Overview
Model years 1956-1959
Designer Raymond Loewy
Body and chassis
Class Van
Body style MPV
Layout RWD COE
Related IH S-series
Powertrain
Engine 6 cylinder Inline
Transmission Manual
AM (A Series Metro), Metro • Walk-In Cab
Overview
Also called AM-80, AM-120, AM-130, AM-150, AMC-150, AM-160, AMC-160
Model years 1960-1962
Body and chassis
Related IH A-series
BM/CM-Series
Overview
Model years 1963-1972

The International Harvester Metro Van is a step van, also known as walk-in or multi-stop delivery truck. This vehicle type was one of the earlier, mass-produced forward control vehicles, once commonly used for milk or bakery delivery, as well as ambulance services, mobile offices, and radio transmitter vans. Typically, they were 1/2-, 3/4-, or 1-ton panel trucks that allowed the driver to stand or sit while driving the vehicle.

Variations included a passenger bus called a Metro Coach, a Metro partial cab-chassis with front-end sections (for end-user customization), and a cab-over truck called a "walk-in cab". The truck (also called a chassis cab) variation could be configured with a separate box or container for cargo transport or left open to be fitted with other equipment such as a compactor for a garbage truck or a stake bed.

The International Harvester Metro Van was produced in the United States from 1938 until 1975 and sold internationally. The drive train was originally based on the 1937-40 D-Series trucks. One of the first models built was sold to the Czechoslovakian Army and destroyed by the German army during World War II.

Unlike their trucks and other vehicles, the Metro bodies were built by the Metropolitan Body Company on Grand Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a company that International Harvester would later purchase in 1948. Final assembly was then done in one of the IH manufacturing plants. The original design was by Raymond Loewy of Studebaker and Coke bottle fame. The Metro design was one of several with which Loewy was involved or created during his association with International Harvester.

The overall design of the Metro vans remained somewhat unchanged from 1938 until 1964 when it was redesigned by the in-house design team in the Chicago Metro plant to be competitive with the Boyertown and Hackney vans. The corners were squared and an opening hood was added for easier access to coolant and oil dipstick. An eight-cylinder engine was also made available.


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Wikipedia

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