It’s a whole new world after retirement.
After working 40 plus years, most retirees go on to indulge in the finer things in life, vacations or simply picking up a new hobby.
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As John Seton tells Deals on Wheels, this retiree’s hobby, was quite unexpected.
“My father, Colin Seton – retired but restless – found himself drawn into the world of bees,” John says.
“What began as a passing interest soon grew into a passion. There were a few hives at first, then a few more, until it became part of his daily life.
“Books, videos, and long evenings of learning filled the gaps, and before long he had a modest apiary and was deep in the craft of beekeeping.”
It was through this new obsession that Colin crossed paths with John Ward, a professional apiarist from Heathcote, Victoria.
John says Ward had spent nearly half a century working bees and running hives, his steadfast companion this 1974 International Acco 1610A, an honest workhorse fitted with a beehive-lifting crane.
“Ward bought it brand-new in 1974 and kept it faithfully by his side until the age of 94, when he decided to hang up his hive tool and retire,” he says.
“The truck had hauled countless loads of hive boxes and stood as a trusted part of Ward’s livelihood.”
Ward mentioned to Colin there were some second-hand hive boxes he could buy in Heathcote, so off he went to Heathcote.
“With a sweep of the doors, there it was, the International. Timeworn, sturdy, and brimming with character,” John says.
“For Dad, it wasn’t just a truck, it was love at first sight. So, dad bought it.”
With the boxes loaded, the 1974 International Acco 1610A was transported back to Sale, where Colin set about breathing life back into it.
“He tinkered, adjusted, polished, and patiently coaxed it toward roadworthiness,” John says. “It became his project, his joy.”
Under the cab sits a 345 V8 petrol engine with extractors, a four-barrel carby, and a five-speed gearbox.
The truck had been converted to dual fuel at some point; it has since been converted back to straight petrol. All its new LPG components are fitted, and the gas tank has been re-certified, so it can be returned to dual fuel operation if desired.
The truck needed a new dipstick, so Colin bought one and it came with a spare motor, gearbox, radiator, and a couple of spare doors.
The truck was worked on, made roadworthy and serviced by Maffra Truck and 4WD, ensuring it was mechanically sound and ready for the road. Now, it’s currently on club registration.
John says a standout feature of the truck is the Ezy Loader hive-lifting crane mounted on the tray.
“This robust system makes handling beehives effortless, even for an old bloke. It can remain in place for ongoing use or be removed and refitted to another vehicle,” he says.
“In 2024, dad proudly displayed this truck at the Maffra Truck Show, displaying it not only for show, but as a testament to his passion for machines – as well as bees.
“For Dad, his last years spent fiddling with the International were more than just mechanical work. They were decades of stewardship between John Ward and himself.”
Every scratch on the paint and every hum of the V8 carried memories for Colin.
“Now with Dad gone, the time has come for the International to find its next caretaker. This isn’t just the sale of an old truck. It’s the passing of a torch,” he says.
“Whoever takes the wheel won’t just own a 1974 International with a hive-lifting crane – they’ll inherit a story. The story of John Ward, who gave it its first 50 years and then the story of my father, who gave it his last.
“And perhaps this is the beginning of a new chapter with someone who will love it just as much as they did.”
Whether you’re interested in working on it to further restore, display or preserve it, John says this truck is a prime example of Australia’s transport heritage, and shows the true durability of the International Acco line.
Its price tag may read $20,000 but what’s for sale is far more than wheels and steel, but a story of men, bees, and a good ol’ trusty rig.
If you’re interested in this truck, call John Seton on 0409 011 410.
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