The IH Scout 80 was an early off-road SUV built to compete with the Jeep and its production lasted from 1961 to 1980. It was a 2-door pickup with a removable hardtop and fold-down windshield (the latter on early models). This ’63 edition runs well and is ready for action, save a bit of rust. Located in Scottsville, Kentucky, this International Harvester is available here on eBay where the first bid of $5,000 has yet to be cast. Another cool tip from Barn Finder T.J.!
Known for building agricultural equipment, IH started producing trucks and pickups in 1907. During the late 1950s, they began designing a competitor to the Jeep CJ 4×4 and the Scout debuted in the early 1960s. The initial Scout 80 was on the assembly line through 1965, replaced by the bigger 800. The Scout 80’s standard engine was a 152 cubic-inch inline-4 which would jive with the one in the seller’s vehicle.
This ’63 Scout may be an original. The faded black over red paint certainly is (as we’re told by the seller) and the mileage at 67,500 could be accurate. It’s a two-owner vehicle having been stored in a barn for 20 years when the seller acquired it due to the passing of the first owner. There are a couple of rust spots, the worst having developed into a hole on the hood.
A new gas tank has been installed to ensure the truck runs well. The 4-speed transmission and 4WD gearing all seem to be in order. Only one headlight is mounted in front, but the seller has its companion and corresponding trim for installation. In the world of off-road vehicles, Scouts are seldom seen these days by comparison to Jeeps and the early Ford Broncos.
Hmm, given the hype, this should, by all rights, be gone by now. Shows what the hype is worth, huh. (sorry, in these cases, I love to gloat) The one on my bicycle route was very similar, only a full top, same year, about same condition, but had a Buick V6 installed. I rode past that truck for 4 years, when about 2 weeks ago, 2 guys were loading it on a trailer. I asked if it was for sale, the guy thought for a minute, and said, “Sure, $15 grand”, which told me, he didn’t want to sell it. No bids at what I would deem a plausible price, FOR WHAT IT IS,,,tells me, this stuff just isn’t that valuable, and it’s not 1963 anymore, highway wise. Worth it, in that, if you have fire lanes and back forest roads, just try and find something today like it. Considering most broke in half, this looks like a great buy.
People need to look closer at this listing. It’s hardly a “survivor.” There’s bondo visible in the one photo and overspray on door plates and latches. Someone’s going to be awefully disappointed with their win if they know anything.
That four was a nice little engine. Back when these things were practical, not over the top stupid.
These are still charging forward. I just got through setting up engine kits for a couple of customers. Rod bearings are the hardest to find as they are UNIQUE. However, they can be found. Some say that Binders are rusters but out west I haven’t seen anything better or worse coming from the others. Out in the Salt Belt I see everything over eight years resembling a bed-wetter’s mattress springs. Rusted through oil pans? Come on, that’s a major rarity out west. I’d like to get the full bodied version of this and install the rest of the engine. And have some fun with it…
Hey pal, wondered where you were,, not sure where “rusted oil pans” came from, unless I missed it, in the “salt-belt”, rusted oil pans are a common thing. My ex-gf had a Kia, and developed those big “rust tumors”. and looked as if it would begin leaking any day. Jeeps too. I feel its a way of dealers to make money, as it’s a big job to replace them. Just like tissue paper head gasket and timing belts, got to get them somehow. I don’t worry about my ’77 GMC oil pan. 1st, it’s “rustproofed” with oil, and 2nd, it’s made of surplus army tank materials,,,ahh, the good old days,,
I had a 64 with a full top. It got terrible milage but it would climb trees. It was very tough. I punched a hole in the transfer case once way out in the sticks of NW Arkansas. I stuffed a potato in the hole and drove it a few more years. When I sold it, the new owner put in a new potato and continued driving it. I also replaced the broken antenna with a potato, which worked better than the original. I suggest keeping a potato in your tool box.
Hey that’s a new way to use a potato. I heard that putting a potato in your swimming trunks was a good way to meet girls–as long as you put it in the front…
Geomechs- Really liked the potato comment, still smiling.
I have a soft spot for these old scout. I was born in 1964 and my dad traded a 59 corvettes for a new scout before of me being born. He ran it 80 miles a day to work over the mountains of western Pennsylvania and it finally stayed to knock. He got it home and took the valve cover off to find 4 bent pushrods. Hammered them reasonable straight and traded it for a 68 Chevy c20. It’s funny because I vaguely remember it. It was blue and dad always told me that when I was a baby I always fell asleep in that scout. Sweet meat. Wish I could find one near me someday.
I had a Scout for about a week. Bought it, drove it home, took off the wheels and big meats, pulled out the Overdrive gear box, swapped all that to my CJ5 (used the same transmission), resold the Scout for what I paid for it. :-) Terry J