It wasn’t too long ago, a project like this 1974 International Scout II could have been picked up for a couple of thousand dollars. But like many other things lately, prices seem to be almost unbelievable. This one is for sale here on eBay with a current bid of $9,300 and the reserve hasn’t been met yet. I’m not sure how much it will take to own this one, but I can’t imagine it being much over $10k. Located in San Diego, California, the seller has done quite a bit of work, but more needs to be done. Do you think this Scout is worth five figures? Have a look.
Based on the exterior, the engine bay is a bit of a nice surprise. The 345 cubic inch V8 is pretty clean and it appears that normal maintenance items have been addressed. The ad says that it has all-new drum and disc brakes along with a new gas tank, fuel pump, starter, alternator, master cylinder, and carburetor. The engine is mated to an automatic transmission and the seller says it starts and drives.
The interior appears to have some new door panels and a dash. The front bench seat could easily be replaced with buckets if the new owner wants a more sporty feel. The ad says that the sale comes with new interior roof panels, which is a plus. The nice thing about these Scouts is the hard top is fully removable to create an awesome 4×4 roadster.
As you can see, the passenger fender has been replaced by a donor piece. The whole truck will need some rust repair and a new paint job to make it really nice. Overall, this seems like a nice project, but the price is quite a bit of an initial investment for a project that still needs quite a bit. What do you think?
See? I told you those single round sealed beams are getting rare. Good thing I never drove the squarebody at night. I bet the square ones on my Jeep aren’t exactly plentiful either. Don’t drive that at night either.
Nice find, looks like much more to the motor than a “rattle can” tune up, all new bolts, I bet the motor work sucked them dry and nothing left to make it LOOK nice. Can’t even afford a freakin’ headlight( I kid, they aren’t that rare) I mean, it’s a solid truck, almost unheard of, but finish the dang thing for cryin’ out loud. You want to be seen in a shabby thing like this? Apparently in Californy, yes.
I honestly think this seller only listed this for sale to insult people’s intelligence with his unrealistic ‘reserve’ price. All I see is about #1K of junk.
Agreed, Will. And now VW has bought the rights to these turds and will be bringing them back as EV who-knows-what. Apparently common sense and even good taste has completely eluded the auto industry currently.
price is totally out of line but for those who can not get to sleep unless they buy this truck,fill your boots and make your wallet lighter. My friend bought the V 8 in 1979 and he became best friends with the gas stations!
There’s something here- but not $10k…
The original IH 345 and transmission are worthless if one wants to actually drive in the real world of 2023…
After completing a restomod project, it may be worth $30k- but you’ll be in it almost that much, assuming you do your own work…
As a donor for a Scout 80 resomod, I’d bite at $1500… the D44 axle tubes and steering box are worth that…
I don’t know that I’d agree. I’ve got a 345/4spd in my Scout II and I can keep up on the highway just fine; it all depends on the gearing.
4 to 5k truck imo.Bidding is over 11k. Whoah nelly. Hey if he can get it and the buyer is happy good for both parties.
The problem with restoring a Scout is not the motor. Nice this one is already done. The 345 is the best they had, will keep up with traffic fine. But the bodies of these things can be a money pit, a favorite meal of the tin worm for sure. Almost always rusted at the body mounts and under the carpet at the rocker and rear rubber mat, where the tail gate leaks. I own one that shares a garage with my Buick, and drive it weekly. They are getting crazy prices for these, and good ones with restorable bodies are far and few between, unlike the mass produced Bronco or sqaure body Blazer where there is a much larger selection out there.
Buickman makes a good point- the old joke is that the IH Scout came from the factory in FT Wayne with rust standard…
IF you have to pay a good body and fab guy, it can get very expensive very quickly. If you can do the rust repair yourself, there’s lots of potential… a decent frame and serial #, and a mediocre body for $1k… invest $25k, do the work yourself…. build and drop in an LS and 4L, an NP241, do a spring over.. fix the tin and put down decent paint and interior- and your $25k is an $80k truck. Not for the shade tree guy with Harbour Freight wrenches or the faint of heart- but some know how, individual or collective, abd some desire, and these old rigs are a gold mine right now.
The 345 being the “best they had” is a mute point- it still hase a 0-60 time mesured in miles, not seconds… and will be screaming on an interstate @ 70mph… it was fine when we had a federally mandated 55mph national speed limit- but its not the 60s, 70s, or 80s any longer.
I have 2x running 345s, 2x 152 slant four, and a 152 turbo on pallets that I can’t give away… while there are a few old school IH purists around wanted “factory correct”, they are hard to come by…. people want cars they can either drive regularly or want a serious off roader…. either option is a far cry from “original “.
Right now, the Scout 80s and 800s, properly done, are the big $ trucks. I think in the next few years, the Scout IIs will catch up- but there’s a lot more of the latter, and in more salvageable conditions
Cheaper and less aggro to buy a decent example.
Had hoped to buy a Scout or some old pickup as a retirement summer time daily driver but today’s prices have broken my heart and maybe my spirit.
“US $11,199.00 Reserve not met”
This price seems to be unbelievable.
You might want to check Scout II prices compared to Scout 80 / 800 prices. The Scout II sold prices far exceed the 800s in completed sales on BAT, ebay, Mecum. Also if you have a 345 on a pallet try selling it on the IH FB group, I often see people wanted one in running condition should be able to sell it there as I have in the past with little effort.
Hope the person who bought this, realizes it is a two wheel drive.