America’s Bicentennial wasn’t just a time to celebrate and reappraise our country’s place in the sociopolitical and historical landscapes; it was also a time to sell a few more cars, trucks, lawnmowers, and bicycles by painting them red, white, and blue. That’s the cynical take; here’s one I like better: America’s Bicentennial occurred in a rare decade where taste and kitsch aligned in such a way that we are left with these amazing artifacts of gloriously questionable taste. I’m not immune to the allure; I paid way too much for a Bicentennial Schwinn Sting-Ray not too many years ago. Therefore, I wholeheartedly approve of anyone who decides that this 1976 International Scout II “Patriot” belongs in their garage. It’s not cheap – the owner is asking $32,900 – but it’s a solid California example of a neat footnote in International history. Thanks to T.J. for sending the craigslist ad our way.
So what was the Patriot? Like most Bicentennial packages, it consisted of some special decals (on “Winter White” paint, in this case) with a “Wedgewood Blue Deluxe Interior.” This Scout fills the bill, but according to the International Scout Encyclopedia by Jim Allen and John Glancy, it’s important to get the “Line Set Ticket,” which is the factory build sheet for a Scout. It’s available for a ludicrously inexpensive twenty dollars, and it will tell you if a Scout came from the factory with the Patriot package. Sometimes, dealers added the decals to Winter White Scouts to emulate the Patriot, and there’s some debate about whether or not that should constitute a “real” one.
The seller doesn’t include the Line Set Ticket, but there are no outlandish low-mileage claims (139,000, to be exact); and “the paint is older but presents nicely,” so it’s certainly not an attempt to pass off a recently restored Scout II as a special edition. Many Scouts succumbed to rust, but this San Diego-based International looks just about as clean as an unrestored car can get. Even then, there’s a touch of rust just popping up on the rocker panels, but this is generally a solid truck.
Under the hood is International’s 345 cubic-inch V8 with air conditioning, power brakes, and power steering; whoever bought this Scout new wanted the fanciest one they could get. I wonder if they ever regretted their paint choice as the years wore on; I hope not. Recent upgrades include a new fuel tank, battery, starter, tires, upgraded fuse panel, and carburetor rebuild.
Thirty-three grand sounds like a lot, but in today’s red hot SUV market, a special-edition Scout II may very well bring the money. The seller says this is one of 369 built according to his research, but that might even be a little high. The craigslist ad was posted about a day ago, so it will be interesting to see if this one sells quickly. What do you think about this patriotic Scout?
These were far better rigs than the oversized and heavier Bronco and Blazer of the day, due to their more compact size. They were barely bigger than the original Scout or first Bronco. The only thing to watch out for on these is rust. Some parts may be tricky to get too.
Terrry the big Bronco didn’t come out till 78.
…yeah, Terry!
This appears to be in nice condition. But I’d feel like I was driving a mail delivery vehicle with that paint job!!
They did make Scouts with right hand drive for postal use.
Ct. Bob seller should invest in providing a line set ticket to show that it’s factory installed not dealer installed. Considering how much money early blazers and broncos are selling for either way the price seems justified.
Clean looking Scout. Compared to the Broncos and Blazers and the crazy prices these vehicles are bringing, the Scout feels like a value proposition. They’re like riding in a stagecoach but still more refined than the aforementioned competition of the era. My dad still owns his ’76 Scout II XLC that he bought new four days before I was born in September of 1976, so I may be a bit biased in regards to the soft spot I’ve for this generation of Scouts.
I believe the Patriot Scout was the official vehicle of The Winter Olympics.
Andrew, I was curious to see if these were the official vehicle for the ’76 Winter Olympics. Turns out it wasn’t, but it was the official vehicle for the ’75 an ’76 U.S. Ski Team.
Here is an interesting article about them: https://offroadtripz.com/international-scout-olympic-suv/#:~:text=Renowned%20for%20its%20ruggedness%20and,of%20the%20harshest%20winter%20conditions.
They made 17 of them and 6 went to the Olympics in Innsbruck.
While I don’t remember too many R,W,& B lawnmowers, it was certainly a marketing blitz for most vehicles, including IH, ironically, probably the most patriotic of them all. The Scout was a great truck, but highly ignored by the SUV community. IH was for HD trucks, period. An image they never could shake. At this price, California still must have bad air, $32grand, come on, man.
Great looking Scout. We sure had the patriotic spirit in ’76. I wonder if we’ll see this again in ’26?
Wow, time plays out some irony. I bought a ’74 Scout in ’76 for $3K off the dealer’s lot. It had 29K on it. It had a 258 / 6cyl with 3 spd. and a 4:11 rear. Even had the same interior as this one. You had to sling shot that thing on a two-lane to pass anything. Rugged but real unreliable in a rainstorm. Had to carry spare points with me all the time. Ended up trading it for $3200 with 68K on the clock for a new CJ-5 with a 304 V8 w/electronic ignition. Huge difference in performance.
its already in the works. its coming with a wankel engine…
Our rural route mail carrier drove a right hand drive model just like this all the way into the 90s until he retired.
Well, you could park that at my place and I sure wouldn’t complain. I doubt if you would get any complaints from anyone within two blocks. However, if you were to go three blocks, you might encounter a pharmacist who recently bought a ‘Lectrolux.’ Of course you can drive whatever you want; it’s still a free country. But I look at this and think about the new Scout ‘Lectrolux.’ I’ve said many times that if the new one came out with a 3.3 Cummins and a ZF or Dana, driveline I might be persuaded. A lot of guys agree with me…
3.3 Cummins with a Dana or ZF? 👍🏻
More than a few out here agree with you there, geomechs.
what a find. international was balancing and bluprinting there engines and the 345 was a great engine…139,000 miles can you say just breaking in on a machine. i hope who Vever gets it really appreciates the tech that was put into these vehicles…