Dab solver - International Harvester Metro Van

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Variations included a passenger bus called a Metro Coach, chassis with Metro front-end sections (for end-user customization), and a [[Cab over|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]].^ref

== History ==

The [[International Harvester]] Metro Van was produced in the U.S. from 1938 until 1975 and sold internationally. The  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]].

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{{Infobox automobile
| image = Preserved International Harvester Metro Van in Portland in 2012.jpg
| caption = A preserved Metro Van in 2012
| name = Metro, Metro Van, Metro Mite, Metro-Lite, Metro Walk-in Cab
| manufacturer = [[International Harvester]]
| aka = Metro
| production = 1938-1975
| assembly = [[United States]]
| predecessor =
| successor = MetroStar, eStar
| class = Light-duty Van or Coach (bus), Class 1-3; Medium-duty van or truck, Class 4-6
| body_style = [[Van]] [[Multi-Purpose Vehicle|MPV]] or [[Cab over|COE]] truck
| layout = [[Automobile_layout#Rear-wheel-drive_layouts|RWD]] [[Cab over|COE]]
| related = Scout
| designer = [[Raymond Loewy]]
}}

The '''[[International Harvester]] Metro Van''' was a [[Multi-stop truck|step van]], also known as [[Multi-stop truck|walk-in]] or [[Multi-stop truck|multi-stop]] delivery trucks. These vehicles were forward-control trucks once commonly used as milk or bakery delivery trucks as well as ambulances, mobile offices, and radio transmitter vans. Typically they were 1/2-, 3/4-, or 1-ton panel trucks that allow the driver to stand or sit while driving the vehicle.

Variations included a passenger bus called a Metro Coach, chassis with Metro front-end sections (for end-user customization), and a [[Cab over|cab-over]] truck called a "walk-in cab". The truck (also called a [[Pickup truck#No_bed_.28cab_and_chassis_or_chassis-cab.29|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 [[Pickup truck#Flat_bed_or_tray|stake bed]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Carlson|first=B Mitchell|title=The Timeless Metro|journal=Red Power|volume=27 & 28|series=Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec, Jan/Feb|pages=34–36}}</ref>

==History==
The [[International Harvester]] Metro Van was produced in the U.S. from 1938 until 1975 and sold internationally. The <<link:0>> 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]] in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]], a company that International Harvester would later purchase in 1948.<ref>{{cite journal|title=1948 International Harvester Annual Report|year=1949|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=PZlIAAAAYAAJ&q=Metropolitan+Body+Company&dq=Metropolitan+Body+Company&source=bl&ots=PsL-ECO05S&sig=NFr2wYwmrsElXJOG-uTdSwR6esI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mvMnUNS_M-nLigLi9oGwCQ&ved=0CFUQ6AEwBzgK|accessdate=12 August 2012}}</ref> Final assembly was then done in one of the IH manufacturing plants. The original design was by [[Raymond Loewy]] of [[Studebaker]] and [[Coke_bottle#Contour_bottle_design|Coke bottle]] fame. The Metro design was one of several that Loewy was involved with or created during his association with IH.

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 carriage|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.

In the 1950s, they began producing variations such as the "Metro-Lite," and "Metro-Multi-Stop" vans. In 1959, the "Metro Mite" was introduced.<ref>http://imcdb.org/vehicles.php?make=International+Harvester&model=Metro+Mite&modelMatch=1&modelInclModel=on</ref><ref>http://imcdb.org/vehicle_228659-International-Harvester-Metro-Mite-1967.html</ref> It was based on the [[International Harvester Scout|Scout]] drive train. In 1960 the "Bookmobile" was built by the Metropolitan Body Company on an IHC chassis.<ref>http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/m/metropolitan/metropolitan.htm</ref> By 1972, all IHC Metro Vans were stripped-chassis that other manufacturers could build on. After 1975 they were discontinued along with all other light-duty trucks except for the Scout, which was last made in 1980.

The Metro Van was re-issued by [[Navistar International|Navistar]] in 2000, as a medium-sized delivery truck. Other than by model name, it was unrelated to the original Metro line.

In 2005, Navistar purchased the Workhorse company, a manufacturer of step-van and motor home chassis, to seemingly re-enter the delivery van market. For a short time Workhorse offered an integrated chassis-body product, similar in nature to the original IH van, called the MetroStar.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Berg|first=Tom|title=Navistar Shutting Down Workhorse as Part of Cost-Cutting|journal=Heavy Duty Trucking|date=09/12/12|year=2012|month=September|url=http://www.truckinginfo.com/safety-compliance/news-detail.asp?news_id=77991&news_category_id=29|accessdate=3 December 2012}}</ref>  In Sept. of 2012, Navistar announced the shut down of Workhorse and the closure of the plant in Union City, IN.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Breaking News|journal=RV Business|date=09/12/12|year=2012|month=September|accessdate=3 December 2012|url=http://www.rvbusiness.com/2012/09/navistar-closing-down-workhorse-to-cut-costs/}}</ref>

==Metropolitan Body Co.==
[[File:Misc 474.JPG|thumb|left|Metropolitan Body Co. manufacturer plate located next to IHC build plate above passenger side front window]]
The Metropolitan Body Company (MBC) of Bridgeport, CT operated as a separate company from International Harvester until 1948. Prior to that it produced bodies for a variety of auto and truck manufacturers.<ref>http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/m/metropolitan/metropolitan.htm</ref> MBC produced equipment for Chevrolet, Dodge Bros. and Ford chassis during the late 1930s and were pioneers in the development of COE (cab over engine) route delivery bodies. MBC had an extensive patent protected line of utility cabs, beds, and bodies with unique functional aspects that likely contributed to IHC's position as an innovator and market leader in the commercial truck industry in the latter half of the 20th century.

==Original Loewy design distinction==
The initial model of the Metro series was the version that adhered closest to the original Loewy design. Known as the "D" or "D-M" series these vans had several unique features that were later dropped for as yet unknown reasons. Some of these features included teardrop shaped headlights (similar to those found on 1937 & '38 Ford coupes and sedans), rear fender skirts (coverings) with [[Art Deco|deco]] styled "Metro" badges, "triple diamond" [[International Harvester|IHC]] grill emblem, and a more [[Streamliner#Streamlined_vehicles|streamlined]] front end configuration lacking the more angular design of later Metros. This original design is sometimes referred as the "giant scarab" which is consistent with the Egyptian influences of the [[Art Deco]] movement.

{{Gallery
|title=Photos of an unrestored example of the original Loewy Metro design
|width=200 | height=200 | lines=4
|align=center
|footer=2012
|File:1941 D15M 1.jpg |
 alt1=1941 D15M
 |1941 D15M, 3/4 view
|File:1941 D15M 18.jpg |
 alt2=1941 Metro front
 |Metro front end
|File:1941 D15M 3.jpg |
 alt3=1941 Metro driver side view 
 |Driver side view
|File:1941 D15M 17.jpg |
 alt4=1941 Metro front with grill, emblem, and teardrop headlights
 |Front end with grill, emblem, and teardrop headlights
|File:1941 D15M 19.jpg |
 alt1=1941 Metro front emblem
 |Tripple diamond front emblem
|File:1941 D15M 20.jpg |
 alt2=1941 Metro side skirt
 |Rear wheel side skirt
}}

==Model Series==
[[File:Misc 473.JPG|thumb|left|IHC Metro build plate, located above passenger side front window]]
The [[powertrain]] of the Metro vans was typically based on an equivalent series International [[Truck_classification#Light_Duty|light-]] or [[Truck_classification#Medium_Duty|medium-duty]] truck. For example, an LM-120 1/2 ton Metro van (5,400&nbsp;lb weight capacity or [[GVWR]]) with a 7 3/4 or 9 1/2 foot body effectively had the [[List of International Harvester/Navistar engines|IH engine]] (SD-220), [[Transmission (mechanics)|transmission]], [[Differential (mechanical device)|rearend]], wheels (although with varying bolt patterns), and braking system of an L-120 pickup truck.<ref name=Equivalent group=LM120/150>{{cite book|title=International Trucks with All-Steel Metro Bodies|year=1950|publisher=International Harvester #A-32-NN|pages=24}}</ref> With the introduction of each new series of truck, updated Metro vans were included as part of their commercial line.

Metro model designations can be difficult to decode considering that the differently configured vehicles could have the same model number. For example, in reference to the LM-120 mentioned previously it was available in several different wheelbase and body lengths yet its [[GVWR]] (5,400&nbsp;lbs) remained the same. Each series has unique models and configurations that may have common features or functions across the series.

Model numbers were typically coded into the [[VIN]] number along with the chassis serial number (a.k.a. "build number", its position in the production sequence) and any other special identifying code(s).

The suffix number (i.e. "120" of "LM-120") would typically refer to the weight class ([[GVWR]]) of the vehicle. As the suffix number increased, so did the designated carrying capacity. In some instances, this number was also used to designate the weight capacity along of a certain model vehicle with particular features or functions.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Carlsom|first=B Mitchell|title=The Timeless Metro|journal=Red Power|volume=27 & 28|series=Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec, Jan/Feb|pages=34–36}}</ref>

===D-M (1938-1940)===
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = D-M (D Series Metro)
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| manufacturer = Metropolitan Body Co. & International Harvester
| aka          = 
| production   = 
| model_years  = 1938-1940
| assembly     = 
| predecessor  = 
| successor    = K Series
| class        = Van
| body_style   = MPV
| layout       = [[Automobile_layout#Rear-wheel-drive_layouts|RWD]] [[Cab over|COE]]
| platform     = 
| engine       = 6 cylinder Inline
| transmission = Manual
| wheelbase    = 
| length       = 
| width        = 
| height       = 
| weight       = 
| related      = [[International Harvester Scout|Scout]]
| designer     = [[Raymond Loewy]]
| sp           = us
}}

===KM/KBM (1941-1949)===
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = KM/KBM (K Series Metro)
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| manufacturer = Metropolitan Body Co. & International Harvester
| aka          = 
| production   = 
| model_years  = 1941-1949
| assembly     = 
| predecessor  = 
| successor    = LM Series
| class        = Van
| body_style   = MPV
| layout       = [[Automobile_layout#Rear-wheel-drive_layouts|RWD]] [[Cab over|COE]]
| platform     = 
| engine       = 6 cylinder Inline
| transmission = Manual
| wheelbase    = 
| length       = 
| width        = 
| height       = 
| weight       = 
| related      = [[International Harvester Scout|Scout]]
| designer     = [[Raymond Loewy]]
| sp           = us
}}

===LM-Series (1950-1952)===
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = LM (L Series Metro)
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| manufacturer = 
| aka          = LM-120, LM-121, LM-122, LM-150, LM-151, LM-152
| production   = 
| model_years  = 1950-1952
| assembly     = 
| predecessor  = KM/KBM series
| successor    = RM series
| class        = Van
| body_style   = MPV
| layout       = [[Automobile_layout#Rear-wheel-drive_layouts|RWD]] [[Cab over|COE]]
| platform     = 
| engine       = 6 cylinder Inline
| transmission = Manual
| wheelbase    = 
| length       = 
| width        = 
| height       = 
| weight       = 
| related      = [[International Harvester Scout|Scout]]
| designer     = [[Raymond Loewy]]
| sp           = us
}}

===RM-Series (1953-1955)===
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = RM (R Series Metro)
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| manufacturer = 
| aka          = 
| production   = 
| model_years  = 1953-1955
| assembly     = 
| predecessor  = 
| successor    = 
| class        = Van
| body_style   = MPV
| layout       = [[Automobile_layout#Rear-wheel-drive_layouts|RWD]] [[Cab over|COE]]
| platform     = 
| engine       = 6 cylinder Inline
| transmission = Manual
| wheelbase    = 
| length       = 
| width        = 
| height       = 
| weight       = 
| related      = [[International Harvester Scout|Scout]]
| designer     = [[Raymond Loewy]]
| sp           = us
}}

===SM-Series (1956-1959)===
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = SM (S Series Metro)
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| manufacturer = 
| aka          = 
| production   = 
| model_years  = 1956-1959
| assembly     = 
| predecessor  = 
| successor    = 
| class        = Van
| body_style   = MPV
| layout       = [[Automobile_layout#Rear-wheel-drive_layouts|RWD]] [[Cab over|COE]]
| platform     = 
| engine       = 6 cylinder Inline
| transmission = Manual
| wheelbase    = 
| length       = 
| width        = 
| height       = 
| weight       = 
| related      = [[International Harvester Scout|Scout]]
| designer     = [[Raymond Loewy]]
| sp           = us
}}

===AM-Series (1960-1962)===
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = AM (A Series Metro), Metro • Walk-In Cab
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| manufacturer = 
| aka          = AM-80, AM-120, AM-130, AM-150, AMC-150, AM-160, AMC-160
| production   = 
| model_years  = 1960-1962
| assembly     = 
| predecessor  = 
| successor    = 
| class        = 
| body_style   = 
| layout       = 
| platform     = 
| engine       = 
| transmission = 
| wheelbase    = 
| length       = 
| width        = 
| height       = 
| weight       = 
| related      = 
| designer     = 
| sp           = us
}}

===BM/CM-Series (1963-1972)===
{{Infobox automobile
| name         = 
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| manufacturer = 
| aka          = 
| production   = 
| model_years  = 1963-1972
| assembly     = 
| predecessor  = 
| successor    = 
| class        = 
| body_style   = 
| layout       = 
| platform     = 
| engine       = 
| transmission = 
| wheelbase    = 
| length       = 
| width        = 
| height       = 
| weight       = 
| related      = 
| designer     = 
| sp           = us
}}

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery
|title=Photos of various Metro based vehicles
|width=200 | height=200 | lines=4
|align=center
|footer=2011-2012
|File:1957MetroVan.JPG |
 alt2=1957 Metro van
 |Unrestored 1957 S-series Metro van, 7 1/2ft body (shorty)
|File:MetroCoach.JPG |
 alt1=Metro Coach (bus)
 |Original 1960-62 A series Metro Coach (bus)
|File:2Metro.JPG |
 alt3=1961 Metro A-series Walk-in Cab truck and 1957 Metro S-series van
 |Unrestored (left) 1961 A-series Walk-in Cab truck, (right) 1957 S-series van
}}

==See also==
*[[International Harvester]]
*[[Multi-stop truck]]
*[[List of International Harvester vehicles]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|group=LM120/150}}

==External links==
*[http://imcdb.org/vehicles.php?make=International+Harvester&model=Metro+Van&modelMatch=1&modelInclModel=on|Metro Van's on IMCDB]
*[http://oldihc.org/index.php Old IHC]
*[http://www.binderplanet.com Binder Planet]
*[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/libraryarchives/ihc/search.asp Wisconsin Historial Society - IH Archives]

[[Category:International Harvester vehicles|Metro Van]]
[[Category:Vans]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1938]]

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Dab solver - International Harvester Metro Van

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