With the outrageous prices that Ford’s Bronco (’66-’77) has been commanding, which is hard to believe knowing their plebian bearing, it makes one wonder if International’s Scout (’61-’80) will be the next big (small) thing in retro SUVing. We cover them from time to time, and they have forward price momentum but many are in original, worn-out condition and haven’t had a restorer work their magic in the way that Broncos seem to manifest themselves these days. Today, courtesy of Bill C., we have a “starter” Scout in the form of a first-year 1961 example. Let’s see what makes it tick. It’s located in Southington, Connecticut and is available here on craigslist for $4,000.
A few weeks ago, a family member approached me with an interest in acquiring a ’67 Scout that had undergone a restoration, had been purchased at one point, at a well-known auction house, and was now on the open market again. It looked good until you took a real close look and the patched-over, bubbling rust became evident. There were other problems that needed attention but it was reasonably priced – reasonable at least, compared to a Bronco and that was its calling card. Styling? The Scout and the Bronco are similar but I’d give the nod to the Scout, especially the latter Scout II (’71-’80). Let’s face it, in stock form, they’re both pretty primitive – it’s more a matter of what can be done with an original example to make it more enjoyable – and of course, the Scout’s lower cost of entry is a plus.
Talk about original, that’s what we have going on in the case of this very stock and weathered unit. This subject truck looks like a Scout 80 which was available between ’61 and ’65 – the what appears to be sliding side windows and the header-mounted windshield wipers (vacuum operated) give it away. The images aren’t too good so it’s hard to be definitive but the passenger-side is pretty banged up with a rusted-out lower quarter and rocker panel. There is also a smattering of dents and surface rust in various places. The seller admits the rust but claims that the frame is sound. This version of the Scout has a removable top and fold-down windshield.
Power is provided by a 92 HP, 152 CI, in-line four-cylinder engine connected to a three-speed manual transmission which invokes a transfer case for the 4X4 engagement. It’s not stated if this is a running example – there are tire tracks in the snow but were they made under this Scout’s own power? An inquiry will need to be made.
Inside is about as spartan an environment as one will find. It appears as original and undisturbed though that low positioned clutch pedal is a bit disturbing. The general assumption, for me anyway, is that bucket seats would have been employed but it looks as if a rather flat bench seat is in place.
The good news is that the entry tariff here is pretty reasonable – I’ve seen similar ’60s Broncos that you couldn’t touch at this price point. But, there’s quite a ways to go to get this Scout in what would be considered a moderately presentable, and probably driveable condition. So, what’s your flavor, Scout or Bronco?
Well it’s rough for sure, but a lot cheaper than a Bronco. They were quite popular here in Texas a few years ago with the deer hunters. Actually deer hunting in Texas isn’t really hunting as they sit up in stands and put deer corn on the ground to bate the deer so they can shoot them. I wasn’t raised that way, we actually had to walk through the woods find a spot where deer might come, no feeding or watering allowed, no stands allowed, it was actually hunting. Okay now that I’m through venting about that back to the Scout. I was a teenager when these first came out, and I thought now there’s some competition for the Jeep. Naturally I envisioned one with V8 engine not realizing how rough riding these vehicles were. this four banger is enough engine for this thing. It would never be a daily driver for me, but it could be fun for weekend country playing in mud and hills.
God Bless America
Same here in Michigan. Should have to buy a baiters license which would cost double of a hunters license if they used bait to “hunt” but that’s for another day. My Dad bought a Scout because we had International tractors. The sheet metal was so thin or of poor quality you could watch it rust. Can attribute that to Michigan salting the roads to a point but Scouts lead the way in vehicles rusting away .
So, I’m on my morning bicycle ride that takes me past a rural home, that I think is abandoned, and in the drive sat a Scout like this, only much better condition. It never moved,,FOR 4 YEARS! Once, it had a flat tire, that was fixed, but other than that, nothing. Weeeeeeell today, 2 guys were loading it up on a trailer, I HAD to ask. It was a ’63, had a Buick V6 installed, I said, would you like to sell it? He thought for a second,,,,”Sure,,,$15 grand”,,,,,gak, cough, wheeze,,,okay, I said, sounds to me like you don’t want to sell it. He said, “you’re right, but I’m sure I could get it”. So there you have it, insanity at it’s best!
I’ve always liked these better than the Bronco, but I’m into the more obscure vehicles that you don’t see on a regular basis. I look at this and immediately imagine all the fun of cleaning it up as much as possible and getting it running good with the original mechanicals. Would be an inexpensive and fun project for someone!
I had a ’61 Scout like this excerpt it was a pickup. Plain Jane as they come. Sliding window and a bench seat from the factory. Great little truck.
It looks like it has 3 shifters…? If so what would it do?
Three shifters: 1 is to shift trans. 2 is to shift transfer case. 3. Is for high and low range.
So I’m not educated with transmissions…but even with a transfer case and low/high shifter, does one still need to make some kind of adjustment on the wheels/axels on this Scout?
Hi Mike, the simplist way to attain higher road speed, is to add an overdrive unit. I think IH, like Willys, offered them, but very few were equipped with one. A Scout just isn’t something you want to go over 45 mph with anyway, and few did. Gear swaps can be a hassle, and taller tires mess with steering geometry, aka, “death wobble”, so it’s best to sit back and enjoy what it was designed for.
In response to MikeP: Yes, you still have to dial the front hubs to engage the 4WD.
The funniest things about these is that the lug nuts on the driver’s side tires are righty loosy lefty tighty. You definitely want to remember that and get the tire iron out before the shot of tequila when you have a flat.
These will be unobtanium shortly. Had one my landrover pinky was more comfortable but simple as they get.
It looks like it did make the tracks in the bur,how,on its own or pushed. I think the shape it looks in. Its way over priced. It would be a good project to work on. These were bad about rusting out. This Scout has it. They did go good on slick roads. I was gonna buy a dark green one in alot better shape then this one along time ago for $400. On a Saturday. I went back Monday and they sold it right after I left. I like these little Scouts.,but it way over priced. It doesn,t even have a new set of tires on it.
The original Land Rover was a Primitive farm truck. This Scout was born a farm truck, too. Remember, it was built by IH with Farmall roots. City slicker happened later for both.
When I was young,my uncle was plowing snow he turned a bend and the door flew off and i almost did too. After that these were junk to me
The full-bodied version is my favorite Scout. I always thought about getting one of these and putting in the rest of the engine; the left half was missing. Starting to run into problems finding rod bearings for these half-engines. They’re not the same as the V-8s and I’m finding that out. I’ve got three four-cylinder engine kits I’m working on for customers and we’re stopped at the con-rods. But I might add that our supplier told us that they’re having trouble sourcing engine bearings for SBCs and Ford FEs if you can ever imagine that. Most blame the pandemic.
Anyway, back to this truck. Lots of rust to fix so it’s going to require a lot of work. The plus side is that there is a lot of support for the Scout and I’ve seen trucks as bad as this one restored to new condition…
dont know Y so many call it 2nd rate to the bronk (& I’ve owned one 40 yrs). In fact this model is Y I bought the bronk, IH went out of business at that time (closed the car/truck division, only hada make replacement prts 7 yrs). Today I often ask if I made the right decision (on looks alone) as they are right for me. Unfortunately the flip windshield went away quickly. 800 is last model for me (Scout II too big, too rounded in style, the windshield’n more).
’65/8 w/800 came the individual frnt seats, Jeff. As the stang & all things ‘phony’ were now upon the scene (‘Beuls’ or Lads from GB & all things sporty’n hip), buckets, bell bottoms (spring ’22 fashion sez they’re back) times a-changin occurred. It was like a sea change all over the world (San Fran, Boston, Loudon, Germany, Russia, Tokyo, San Palo, etc).
only reason i looked at it. memories; my boss owned an early Scout. cancer of the body besides the cigarette smell in the box. air came in everywhere yet the smell never left. boss hooked up a semi battery in the back with a alternator regulator? cut off toggle switch. could start most anything? my two cents. Thanks.