One of the many tragedies about the International Scout II’s demise after the 1980 model year was that the automotive world lost a little of its sense of whimsy. Because International was a relatively small automaker, it couldn’t update the Scout regularly, so it offered an almost unending selection of trim and decal packages that allowed buyers to customize their new rigs to their preferences. This specific Scout, which Barn Finds all-star spotter T.J. found on eBay in Gentry, Arkansas, has a CVI trim package called “Sportstar” (more on that in a moment), making it an uncommon International from that final year of production. The high bid is currently $6,400, and it has not yet met reserve.
CVI stood for “Custom Vehicles International,” an offshoot of Good Times, Inc., a Texas-based van conversion outlet, according to the International Scout Encyclopedia. They contracted with International’s Southwestern Zone Office to create special editions of Scout IIs for that region, whose success meant expansion into nationwide markets. CVI set up a building in Fort Wayne, Indiana, near the Scout line, to complete the work, but it all came at the wrong time. This program came online just as Scout II production was ending, making these 1980 models quite uncommon, especially considering that Scout II sales fell to just over 13,000 units for 1980 (over 44,000 were sold in 1979).
The Sportstar required the buyer to order a “Winter White Traveltop” with a T-407 automatic (which was a 727 Torqueflite), a “sport steering wheel,” the “off-road tire package,” and a black custom interior, although (like this example), “several have been seen with Russet Plaid interiors.” Then, the Scout IIs were given these special graphics. Unfortunately, the seller of this example didn’t pull it out of the garage for pictures, but you can see that there’s some rust in the wheelwells and lower quarters on this side. The missing door trim will come with the sale.
The engine is International’s 150-horsepower 345 four-barrel V8, which also produces 263 lb.-ft. of torque. Aside from mentioning that it and the transmission both have fluid leaks, the seller doesn’t say whether the engine runs or not. It does have power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning.
The undercarriage is where the good news lies: the pictures show a surprisingly solid Scout II. It is uncanny how badly an International Scout can rust, and finding a rare trim package on a sound foundation is exactly what you want (if this is your kind of truck).
Here’s that Russet Plaid interior, which the seller says is in “really nice condition.”
A nice thing about buying a Scout is that production records are readily available. This one has its “Line Setting Ticket,” which shows almost every piece of equipment installed on the truck at the Fort Wayne assembly plant. This one is fundamentally loaded; it appears to even have a tilt wheel and “auto cruise.”
Perhaps the worst news is that the Sportstar has taken a hit on both quarter panels, almost as if it got caught in a giant pair of pincers. That’s really the only thing keeping you from getting this rare Scout II on the road as-is, because now you’ll have to match those graphics, and that’s going to be expensive. Regardless, if you like Scouts, you’ll clearly like this one, and it’s definitely going to bring a decent price.
I sometimes poke fun at light duty Internationals of this time for their efficient, squared-off, straight-line styling and features (which I actually like). But here we have a Scout which has quite a bit of style. White paint with black on the hood and around the windows. Then add the loud graphics. And the russet and black interior with the wild upholstery. It comes together into a very eye-catching package.
I’m sure I’ve never seen a Sportstar. I hope it goes to a good home where it can be improved.
Thank you Aaron.
Scouts were a class act throughout their production cycle. They were well built and handled the punishment as good as anything else. Some say that they are rusters but I cannot say that they were any worse than the competition. Bottom line: it was a mistake to terminate the line. The entire light line for that matter.
Now, for Scout Motors offerings. They look great and will give some people a good ride for their money, but, EV ONLY? I see that they have added a gas powered generator for extra cost (to bring the distance to 500 miles?). I keep thinking that if Scout would bring back the line with ICE / mechanical driveline they would have a hard time keeping up with the demand.
OK, back to this one. There will be some major restoration work required, to bring it back to into shape but I don’t see any insurmountable obstacles. The engine is reasonably easy to get parts for. Ditto for the transmission and transfer case. There is getting to be an increased availability for patch panels and components. The Scout’s popularity is increasing, and so is the aftermarket parts supply. I wouldn’t turn one of these down…
A package I’ve not seen before either. That passenger side rear tire is likely an original tire from when the vehicle was new. Goodyear Tracker A/Ts were the hot ticket when this truck was new.
Have never seen this particular model in the last year for the IH Scout.
I had an 80 turbo diesel.I still have sellers remorse. tried to find it in the 90’s,,, couldn’t
woulda called it a ‘scout II’ by that point (80 AND 800 gone). 1 yr
the SD32, nxt yr SD33 (should B correct) meaning Turbo Diesel.
I thought Nissan (remember communicating w/company then) but
it was iszuz-made.
I wuz gunna buy one in ’81 or so but fed law said only hafta make
replacement prts for 7 yrs & I wanted “to own it” so got a 10 y/o 1st
gen bronk (i still own). I like these better but have a thing now for
the 6 ThriftPower i6 motors (2.3, 2.8, 3.3, 4.2 odd ball; 240 & 300
or 4.9 a million mile motor ‘the gasser that’s a diesel’…
International Harvesters were junk poorly made a friend drove one started falling apart driving down the road that why they went out of business
That may be one reason for it, and I think the lack of maintenance, and it’ll start falling apart.
In the salt line, after a winter or two they developed rust craters quickly.
The closest I came to one of these was a 1st generation Tonka Toy unit, all metal, complete with a removable top and snow plow that would angle both directions! I actually plowed snow on the alley behind my parents’ house with it. Probably worth some money now.
My Dad had a ’56 Int’l full-size pickup.