Yesterday I had the privilege of taking a ’72 Scout out on a test drive. It was a memorable experience and I was even tempted to buy that rusty old rig. It was a beater but was so full of character that it was hard to walk away. The Scout was aimed squarely at recreational offroaders so it represented fun and freedom. Sounds like the perfect vehicle to find in a barn today.
Normally you find tractors in barns but maybe we aren’t too far off here. International Harvester had been building trucks and farm equipment for 50 years before they came up with the Scout. They did it at the perfect time too because the sports car craze was starting to burn out and 4×4 mania was just taking hold. The Jeep had been around for a long time but the Scout was better for daily use.
Later Scouts could be had with an inline-six, V8, or even a diesel engine but the first ones only came with a four-banger. The seller states that the engine hasn’t run in 20 years but I bet with some new fluids and a battery, it would start right up. These were built like… tractors so I would be more concerned with rust than mechanical issues.
Some photos of the floors should be a requirement before placing a bid here on eBay. These are a body on frame design so a floor replacement isn’t the end of the world but it would be a good idea to start with something solid. This could be a fun machine to take camping or for driving around the farm. I’ve heard rumors that Volkswagen recently purchase the “Scout” trademark and may have plans for a Bronco competitor. One can only hope.
My friend’s dad had one like this on the ranch, Keys had never been removed from the ignition, corrosion locked I guess. It ran and was good for the ranch if you didn’t go over 10 mph.
These were made in the same town I was, Fort Wayne IN. Never had one, but would like one, a high school buddy has his 2nd one, in Fort Wayne to boot, they’ve been having some Scout reunions there. Too bad unions and foreign competition ruined so many USA made vehicle companies.
Just for the record, and with only 2 comments, there’s not much interest, but to be clear, the ’72 Scout Jesse test drove was a Scout ll, and a far cry from the Scout 80 featured here. Like a Rubicon compared to an army Jeep, kind of. The Scout ll was a much nicer vehicle, even had some creature comforts, where as this was strictly utilitarian. I see one bid, and more than likely the seller, sadly, I doubt this will go anywhere, who in the future is going to grapple with this?
I’ll tell my brother about it. He can add it to the other 5 that he already has lined up along his fence line. LOL.
I went camping/fishing with a friend in one a few decades ago. We went right through a bog area. Left ruts about 10 inches deep and we probably were carrying an extra 100 lbs of mud on all the horizontal surfaces, but it went right through.
Lots of people are grappling with Scouts lately. I’ve seen a steady increase of calls for Scout parts since I started working again. There are a lot of Scouts being pulled out of the fence lines and put back the way that Ted Ornas first built them. Scout II’s are very popular but the 80’s and 800’s are coming up…
Hi Geo, the trouble with those Scouts “along the fence line”, they are pretty shot. The guy I bought my GW from in central Wis. had FIVE of these in his woods. Not one had a door that would close, 2 were broken in half, but he said he’d bet everyone would start. So, therein lies the attraction. Due to the very nature, designed for winter use, you simply won’t find one, except in rare cases, like this. Not unlike a ’62 CJ, it’s a basic vehicle, made for one purpose, going 10-15 mph over rough terrain or pushing a wall of snow,, nothing more. I think the owners that have these think there is a market, and the 1( one) bid of $5g’s ( the sellers) tells me so, maybe a grand because of it’s potential, but a modern ATV does more, a lot more, so many won’t bother with an old Scout.
Yes, my friend, I’ll grant you all of that. You HAVE to be an enthusiast to appreciate one. They came with the basics and a lot of people turn up their noses at them today because they’re used to the extras. But enthusiasts exist and they come from all backgrounds and places. I have a customer down the “Left Coast” who has made two trips to the “Salt Belt” and returned with (10) 80’s, 800’s and II’s both times. Salvageable parts and parts that will make cores for reproduction are the order of the day. They won’t be as popular as a ‘36 or ‘40 Ford pickup but then neither will a vintage Jeep…