Made for only two decades, the International Scout has more than withstood the test of time and has hung on as a tried and true SUV. In fact, been rediscovered by a whole new generation of vintage truck fans, and values are soaring. Speaking of soaring, this “feather edition” 1976 International Scout is listed here on eBay in Sparta, Michigan. There is no reserve, and the current bid price is $18,201.
As a huge fan of graphics packages on vintage vehicles, this Feather appliqué is pretty appealing. Our own Bruce Johnson wrote about a similar Scout II about two years ago here on Barn Finds, and I think it’s an interesting model, even if it is mostly just a decal differentiating it from the other Scout IIs. The 1960s and 70s were a big era for outdoor sports, and the “Feather Edition” Scout II fit right in. I like these smaller wheels much better, but that’s just me.
Between 1961 and 1980, International offered the Scout in several varieties and models. It evolved over the first decade to the Scout II, which came out in 1971. Sadly, by the end of 1980, the Scout was gone. It lives on as with most vintage vehicles, especially trucks, which have been the hottest segment over the last several years. I’m not a fan of those rear wheel arches; if anything screams rusty wheel wells, it’s those things. And why are they only on the back?
The front bucket seats have been recovered, as you can see, and hopefully all is well under those loose covers. This truck deserves a proper upholstery fitting. The back seat appears original and in good condition, and the rear cargo area also looks good. Portions of the underside have been coated, but it appears solid, and they say it has a solid frame, but both front cab mounts and body wedges have been replaced.
The AC-equipped engine is a 345-cu.in. OHV V8 with 163 horsepower and 292 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by a transfer case and Chrysler-supplied TorqueFlite automatic to all four wheels as needed. They say it runs great, and the AC should work with a belt and recharge. Hagerty is at $27,000 (!) for a #3 good-condition Scout II, how much will this one sell for?
I remember the ads, (mom in passenger seat), “sonny, why did you buy a truck?”( moms reference to IH as a big truck builder) son, “it’s not a truck, mom, it’s a Scout”,,and that’s where that fizzled. IH never could shake its bigger truck image, something that actually helped its pickup truck sales, but not when it came to the Scout. Always playing 2nd fiddle to the CJ, they were duking it out for 1st luxury 4×4, with competition like the Jeep SJ, or full size Bronco, K5 Blazer, the poor Scout was WAY down on the list. Shame, probably the best of the bunch BECAUSE of its heavy duty roots, but alas, t’was not to be. While competitively priced along with the others, about $6800 new, it didn’t have the dealer network, that and standing in line with ol’ stinky pants Farmer Brown( get it? Brown?) getting combine parts, wasn’t for everybody. Moreway Automotive didn’t carry IH parts like plugs, filters, all required dealer purchase. Worse than a foreign car, they were.The Scout quietly faded into infamy, to concentrate on their heavy duty market, going great guns at the time. That was all about to change when a certain Swedish/American road tractor hit the scene, all but decimating the IH plant in Springfield, Ohio. IH has made a bit of a comeback in recent years, however, all class 8 IH trucks are now made in Mexico, and have been since 1998. This is an awesome find!
This is one of the cleanest Scouts I have seen in years!! Looks well taken care of. Other than the A/C not working it seems like a good deal. Hope it finds a good home!
The ac should be an easy fix. I believe that’s an after market ac unit from back in the day
Howard, you sound familiar with the Scout. Were the A/C units designed in house or bought from someone? I recall on another site that occasionally drifts to the independents playing musical chairs on the Titanic about the idea of an IH/Studebaker merger. Not so much for the car line, but for the car dealerships in suburbs and away from the ag/commercial dealers.
Oh home on the range, where the deer and the antelope play. That’s what I think of every time I see one of these Scouts. Here in Texas many deer hunters use these vehicles to get to their, ahem! Deer stands. I was but a lad in my teenage years when Scouts first appeared on the market. They always kind of intrigued me but my youthful eye was not on 4 wheel drive or off road vehicles. Graphics were a selling point for many vehicles in the 70’s, they were on a lot of vans. Me being the demoralized person that I was liked the Graphic designs, especially the hippy flower cars.
God Bless America
Sorry Scotty, your write-ups and photo-shops are great, but when I look at this Scout , the tires make it for me.
Scotty, I dig the pic with the chrome Rallye wheels…THE wheels to have on a Scout! After all of the metal work someone has done on the rockers and floor, they go and cover the rusty arches with those goofy flares. At least splurge on some old school Bushwacker flares. Unforgivable!!! The 6x9s in the seat bases are of questionable taste and ideal too. Looks like a decent Scout that’ll still need lots of work and dollars to make right. $20K seems nuts.
I have a 1976 Scout II under shed in Louisiana. Will need a lot of work. Has not been driven in a few years. Does anyone think it is worth selling? The owner would have to arrange transportation to get it. I would not ask much. I am too old to restore it; I do not want to see it sit idle anymore. Someone with moxie could restore it to enjoy or sell. Please comment.
The question you are asking is like “how long is a piece of string?” There are several publications that give price ranges for such vehicle depending on their condition. Be somewhat pessimistic on your evaluation. “No lowvballers, I know what I have” is a meme.
If need be I would give it away just to know that it had a good new home.
Daniel I’m in West Houston, Texas. I don’t know how much it would cost to transport this vehicle but if it can be arranged I’ll buy it from you for a reasonable price; say $300.00
John
God Bless America
John, Are you still interested in my Scout II that I can ship to you from Louisiana????
I will check with my auto broker to see what it would cost to transport the Scout to you which is stored in Ferriday, Louisiana. May take a couple of days.
Sold on 8/16/2025 for a high bid of $23,100.
Steve R
Thank you, sir!
John, Would you give me the address where the vehicle is to be shipped. I am trying to get quotes on shipping.
@Daniel – please email us with the info so we can feature it on the site.
I will only be able to do that after I inspect the vehicle and take photos in October of this year. I live 550 miles from where it is stored in Louisiana and just can’t get to it until October. I have to check on the title as well. In the meantime what else can I do?