Including the R-140 through R-180 model lines, the medium-duty trucks were produced as chassis-cab conventional trucks.
 The medium-duty trucks also served as the basis for the "Schoolmaster" cowled bus chassis.
 The Loadstar made its return, denoting high-capacity versions of each model family.
 For 1953, International introduced factory-produced four-wheel drive trucks for the first time (in the R-140 and R-160 series); previous 4x4 trucks were conversions (by either International or second-party manufacturers).
 
The medium-duty trucks were powered by multiple engines, dependent on model series.
 The R-140 and R-150 shared the SD-220 with the light-duty trucks, while the R-160 was powered by a 108 hp SD-240 I6.
 The R-170 retained the Super Blue Diamond 269 from the L-series, producing 101 hp; a 130 hp Super Black Diamond 282 I6 (standard in the R-180) was offered as an option.

The medium-duty R-Series (R-160 through R-180, along with R-190 and R-200 heavy-duty) chassis served as the basis for the Fageol van, a bus-style delivery van assembled by Twin Coach.
Including the R-140 through R-180 model lines, the medium-duty trucks were produced as chassis-cab conventional trucks.  The medium-duty trucks also served as the basis for the "Schoolmaster" cowled bus chassis.  The Loadstar made its return, denoting high-capacity versions of each model family.  For 1953, International introduced factory-produced four-wheel drive trucks for the first time (in the R-140 and R-160 series); previous 4x4 trucks were conversions (by either International or second-party manufacturers).  
The medium-duty trucks were powered by multiple engines, dependent on model series.  The R-140 and R-150 shared the SD-220 with the light-duty trucks, while the R-160 was powered by a 108 hp SD-240 I6.  The R-170 retained the Super Blue Diamond 269 from the L-series, producing 101 hp; a 130 hp Super Black Diamond 282 I6 (standard in the R-180) was offered as an option. 
The medium-duty R-Series (R-160 through R-180, along with R-190 and R-200 heavy-duty) chassis served as the basis for the Fageol van, a bus-style delivery van assembled by Twin Coach.
International R series