Western Sydney Historical Truck Club

2015 Clarendon Classic Machinery Rally

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The 2015 Clarendon Classic was always going to be a huge event, even bigger than last year.  As in previous Clarendon Classic Machinery Rallies there were celebrated features on show.  2015 was the year that featured anything made by the International Harvester Company, anything made by Sydney based makers and military vehicles to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War 1.

The International Harvester Company was formed from the merger of  the McCormick Harvesting Machinery Company and the Deering Harvester Company in 1902.  Both companies had had a profound influence in agricultural America since the mid 1800’s to the turn of the century.  Their trademarks were easily identifiable and were also highly respected.  The merger achieved instant recognition for the IHC brand.  Its primary customers in the early 1900’s were farmers and it was logical that the company’s first motorized vehicles were intended for use by this element of the American workforce.
The “Highwheeler Auto Wagon” was built to carry cargo and two or three passengers. Later, a second seat was optioned so it could serve as a carriage.  It was sold as the “Auto Buggy” as shown here in this rare and well restored example.  It had a 20 hp opposed two cylinder air cooled engine mounted under the floor.
IHC built vehicles to suit the needs of their customers and had quite an extensive model range.