This Alpine White over Apache Gold 1969 International Scout 800A isn’t perfect, as you can see in the photos, but it’s nicer than a lot of the examples we’ve seen here on Barn Finds over the years. It has a few wrinkles, faded paint, and most likely some rust, or at least surface rust. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Franklinton, Louisiana, and they’re asking $19,500.
A lot of us have wrinkles, and I’m betting it’d be easier to smooth out the ones on this Scout than on our faces; too-good-to-be-true miracle face cream infomercials notwithstanding. There are no underside photos, and the seller doesn’t mention rust at all, but the rocker panels on these Scouts always look iffy to me, as if they’re on the verge of bursting with rust, have already been patched with bad welds or gobs of bondo, or all of the above.
A bit more comfortable, the new Scout 800A showed up in late 1968, and they were made until the end of 1970. Following that, the Scout II brought it home for this famous and very much missed model, ending production in 1980. The Scout 800A also added the punch of a 304 V8 engine, which this one has. Hagerty is at $7,600 for a #4 fair-condition Scout and $16,500 for a #3 good example. Is this one nicer than “good”? It has a lot going on, but it also has a lot of bodywork to do. Not necessarily rust repairs that are visible, but wrinkles and other things.
The seats have been recovered, and they look great, or at least look perfect. I would have liked to see a more factory look, or a more nubby, fine-woven-type vinyl, or even, gasp, a period-correct fabric, but that’s just me. I’m into vehicle interiors, as you know. They’d work for now, or forever. You can see a third pedal there; this Scout has a Borg Warner T-18 four-speed manual. Next to it is the single lever for the two-speed constant-mesh transfer case. The back seat cover is also new, and the rear cargo area is filled with stuff. I’m not sure if those are extra parts, manuals, or what they are.
The new radiator sits in front of a new battery, which is to the left (right in the photo) of International’s 304.6-cu.in. OHV V8. It was rated at 193 gross horsepower (180 net) and 272 gross lb-ft of torque when new. Sending power to all four wheels via the transfer case and four-speed manual, the seller says this one has two new gas tanks (two 10-gallon tanks were optional), a new starter, and new tires. I’m not sure what’s going on under the hood with the industrial-sized furnace mounted on the right side of the engine. I’m kidding about it being a furnace, of course, but something isn’t connected there, so don’t expect heat in the cab until you troubleshoot that. It may just need new “ductwork,” and you can see that the other side is pretty well shot, so add two to the list. Any thoughts on this Scout?
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