Just before the Terra arrived on the scene, International Harvester was losing its tenuous position in the light truck market. Beefy competitors Ford and GM with their extensive dealership networks were trouncing IH, which had introduced its truck line at farm stores. But the Scout series was performing well, leaving an opening for IH to address the pickup market in a new way. The Terra had been under development since the early 70s, and its time arrived in 1976. It was situated on the Traveler’s 118″ wheel base, but it offered the same removable-top option available on the Scout, along with several engine selections. This example is located in Springfield, Ohio, and it’s for sale here on facebook Marketplace for $16,500 obo. Thanks to Ted for sending this tip our way!
Terra buyers received the “Comanche” 196 cu. in. slant four as standard, but checking the right option box could put either a 304 or a 345 V8 in the new truck’s engine bay. No six-cylinder was available at the time. This example has the 304, good for about 140 hp; the engine is paired with a 727 Torqueflite automatic. I appreciate clean underhood real estate; this is really quite nice. Four-wheel drive was an option – and a very popular one; a Binder Planet forum member indicates that only 26.4% of Terra production was two-wheel drive. This example is one of that small subset, with 2WD. It has new brakes, new wheels and new tires. The seller says it runs and drives well.
International offered several upholstery combinations, bucket seats, a console, and other extras to differentiate among the Standard, Deluxe, and Custom trim levels. This interior is in good condition, with its bench seat clothed in Parchment nylon and a well-kept instrument panel – the new owner could get away without lifting a finger in here.
Maybe the paint scheme is not to everyone’s taste but I love it for its essential ’70s-ness; that nerf bar bumper won’t help much in a crash, but I like it, too. The Terra came with a 6′ bed; its cover is a nice touch but it also hides the bed’s condition. The roll bar lends a sporty look. But what do you think of the lowered stance? More often we see Scouts up on their tiptoes, having received lift kits of one extremity or another. Meanwhile, if this Terra comes close to your vision, there’s the matter of price. This 4WD ’76 Terra with a 304 and a four-speed manual sold for $15,250 just a few months ago – a great price for a driver-quality truck with some work already performed. I’d go with the “obo” portion of the seller’s asking price, and see what happens. What do you think?
Have liked most of the modified trucks over the years and this one is no exception. Looks like good workmanship and different graphics makes it stand out in a crowd so to speak. Nice.
I am the biggest fan of short box 2 wheel drive trucks on the planet! This one is no exception, especially because it is so rare. I think I could get the graphics and funny wing behind the cab and bed cover off it in a day or less !
I’m with you on reversing the modifications. I don’t mind the dropped stance too much, although I’d prefer stock ride height. The aerodynamic treatment has definitely got to go! An old corn binder should be no more aerodynamic than a refrigerator, just like IH and God intended.
Nice find…you don’t see IH’ of any model very often. The stripes made me think of the Pink Floyd prism in “earth” tones.
I honestly have never seen a lowered Scout. Still processing, lol. I had a 2 wheel drive 77, but had a mild lift kit on it.
Same as Lee, I’ve never seen a lowered Scout before. This has a terrific stance, and the angle of the stripes really accents it without going overboard. Like Bobhess said, looks like really good workmanship. Very nice job on it.
I forgot to add, the aftermarket rims really work on this too, the design, size and color, thats what you want when doing a wheel/tire upgrade, something that compliments the body, and in this case it really does.
as usual, the contrarian to much.
Y do this toa fine vehicle (“oh, cus it’s 2WD”).
Y do this toa fine vehicle? It’s made for 4WD off rd wrk / multipurpose…
yeah, modded in the wrong direction for some of us (just me?).
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I saw this on marketplace and neglected to submit it. I like it for many reasons. It isn’t common to see an IH modified this way. Springfield OH has a long history with IH, and a strong following for preserving the marque. I give the guy who built this a lot of credit for a quality job bringing his vision to life. The exception that I would take is that I would greatly prefer a manual transmission.
Saw this one somewhere. I actually dig it. Cool interior fabric too. I’d lose the funky cab spoiler. I like the wheels alright but this would look perfectly period correct, and almost like an IH concept vehicle, with the gold wagon wheels from a Selective Edition Scout.
Take off the trash graphic-wheels and wing behind the cab and thing under the cab(running boards)(?) and you have a nice looking truck.
definitely not the way I would do it but I must admit that it does not look bad even with the doodas
International were not a common sight in my montreal, canada home town , so these I have only seen online
Removing certain items on this would probably improve the overall look
YOLO