The first generation of the Scout was offered from 1961 to 1965 and was called the Scout 80. The second generation (1966-1971) of Scout was called the Scout 800 which was produced in three sub-models (800, 800A, and 800B). The final run of the Scout was known as the Scout II. It had a 10 year production run from 1971 to 1980. This Scout II is located in Hoyt, Kansas and is said to be an original survivor with no bodywork or repairs. However, it appears the passenger side of the Scout has bullet holes which could be considered a custom touch! It is listed for sale here on Craigslist for $28,500. The listing has only been up for 5 days.
The interior looks upscale compared to early models of the Scout which were all metal with two low back seats. The seller says that this Scout II drives like a Cadillac. It is said to cruise down the highway straight at 70 mph and steers perfectly. All the gauges and functions are said to be in working order including the lights, windshield wipers, heater and air conditioning. However, the air conditioning does not blow cold. I would propose that means that not everything works! The vehicle does have some rust in the front and other “typical” places.
While the first Scout 80s were equipped with a 152 cubic inch inline 4 cylinder engine that only generated 93 horsepower, later versions of the Scout had V8 engines. The V8 options included the 304 cubic inch and 345 cubic inch engines. This Scout II has a 345 cubic inch V8 engine backed by a 4 speed manual transmission. The engine looks stock except for a low profile aftermarket air conditioner. The odometer on this Scout II reads 29,000 miles.
The seller states that this Scout II was owned by a small group of family and friends and stayed in the same area most of its life. The Scout II comes with its original owner’s manual and line setting ticked from International Harvester. The bullet holes in the rear passenger quarter are said to draw a lot of attention.
The Scout II was the pinnacle of the Scout. It’s too bad that the trend towards plastic dashes with printed circuits superseded the old standby of gauges in steel. Good trucks. A friend of mine bought one in ‘73 and still drives it. Very few problems. I would like to get this one but it’s way beyond my budget, not to mention too far away. But if it came my way it would get completely fixed up, including a paint job.
Hi Geo, I can always rely on us being in the same gear when it comes to IH. As we age, less and less folks have any connection to IH, except maybe grandpas farm tractor, that, along with IH, is long gone. I’m simply amazed at all the Scouts seemingly coming out of the woodwork lately. I don’t recall seeing this many in their best days. They never had the following of the Big 4( 4 being Jeep) and imports killed them altogether.
The Scout ll was a great truck, but by the 70’s, there were just much better choices, and the Scout faded into infamy,,until now, apparently.
I hear talk of a Scout coming back. It never ceases to amaze me, with all the technology, these companies revert back to 50+ year old designs, or names anyway, usually with so-so results.
Who knows what the mileage is, 29K, okay, sure, why not? Apparently, the seller, like most in these cases, is going on the new buyers ignorance as to what a 29K mile vehicle looks like, and I hate to keep bringing up gas mileage, but was not an IH strong point, with most V8s averaging maybe 10mpg, and by golly, unless you are living in a cave, it’s a BIG issue today.
Thanks Bruce, I appreciate well organized, relevant facts for context. I agree with Geomechs except maybe on the repaint. I don’t know. I had a turquoise-blue 68 Scout with a V4. It got about 8 miles a gallon and could climb trees. It was tough enough that when I flipped it (pilot error) we were able to put it back right-side-up and drive away with no significant damage. I currently have four pre 1975 vehicles, and my gf drives a Tesla. There’s never been any doubt that she’s smarter than me.
$28+k? Please.
That price is whack.
pretty clean from these pic, no? 28K$ clean?
Auctions? then net sales, even worse them combined? no more hobby 4 me~
They shoot Scouts, don’t they? Years ago I looked at an orange one for sale, and it had bullet holes in roughly the same place, but on the driver’s side.
I’d have to say there really wasn’t any better choice for a four wheel drive than a Scout during its time. Perfect size, good all around performance, well designed and substantially built. I drove the competitors and was always glad to get back in my Scout. One could say the Scout was the spiritual precursor to the XJ Jeep. It too was just right. Bummer the Scouts rusted so bad…but so did everything else back then.
This one looks solid and the color is cool, but not 28K worth.
On the bullet holes , my uncle had a jeepster on his farm. Kept it in the barn. Was target shooting one day , went thru the target block , thru 100 year old barn wood AND thru the jeepster. Shame and hysterical all at the same time. I’ve lost count of how many scout 80s 800s and at least 2 Scout II he had. Great vehicles. Good luck on parts