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Off Road Package: 1979 International Harvester Scout

This 1979 International Harvester Scout II is a gently-used survivor, with some cosmetic flaws to sort out. The seller notes it is a desirable “Off Road Package”-equipped model, with skidplates, heavy-duty springs and 3.73 gears from the factory. These were already robust trail divers; with this kit, I’d imagine the Scout becomes even more capable. Find it here on eBay with bids over $5K and the reserve unmet. 

Aside from some of the period-cool bodyside trim gone rogue, the body appears quite nice. It’s been a southern California Scout all of its life, which is perhaps one of the best areas to buy a project rig from. Nice climate helped this example survive better than many of the Scouts I see in junkyards in the northeast that are completely rotted out.

The blue plaid interior was apparently a one-year only option for the Scouts, and this one has it. Overall, the interior is shockingly nice for an off-roader. It seems possible that this Scout never did a lot of off-road duty, given those older 4x4s that visit Moab every year tend to be pretty rough by this point. With a nice interior and solid exterior, this is the kind of Scout I’d want to buy if I were looking.

Surprisingly, the seller says the Scout does well on the interstate and tracks nicely. But the best thing he notes is that this Scout is one you can either take further as a restoration project, or simply use reliably every day and able to handle whatever gets in your path. The off-road kit additions make this Scout even more capable, and potentially, more desirable to a Scout enthusiast looking for a truck with OEM upgrades.

Comments

  1. Avatar chad

    like to C the issuzu diesel (nissan?) in there pic 4.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Jimmy

    Would be a nice Scout with some work as that back floor looks pretty rough and the dent at the right rear taillight area. If the reserve isn’t insane it could be a great find. Not a white vehicle fan but this one looks great with the blue plaid interior.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Howard A Member

    Nicest Scout made. IH pulled out all the stops with these. We’ve argued this before, but I still say, these were the forerunners to the modern luxury SUV’s. I know, the Jeep Cherokee, but those were bigger, this was still a Scout. And I’d take the AMC 6 or 304 V8 anyday over the 345, but that’s me. Already $7,500, so out of my range. IH really missed the boat discontinuing these after 1980, right when SUV’s were gaining steam. Pretty big blunder if you ask me. Obviously, gonna cost you plenty now for one.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Kevin Harper

    Looks like a good solid vehicle, and these seem to bring decent money now. Worthwhile to fix the interior and do a little preventive maintenance in the rusty areas i.e. POR.
    Given the prices of these perhaps IH should get back into the market and make good solid offroaders instead of some of the shopping carts we have today.
    Kevin

    Like 2
  5. Avatar half cab

    I agree nice solid rig. Bet it hits the 10k mark soon.
    More of these rigs showing up and that’s cool.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar RR

    To those wishing IH would re-enter market…not financially feasible. Cost of emissionizing an engine – stunning. Cost of modern safety systems – stunning. And back then even, IH parts were common w/Medium Duty trucks, car company components came from Impala/LTD, so at every component the car companies advantage was huge, every switch, seat frame, windshield wiper motor, valve cover, air cleaner, radiator, etc., was cheaper at Chevy than IH.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Trevor

    It’s on craigslist outside of Knoxville for $15,900

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    Lovely looking International Scout. It’s a shame that it left the market when it did.

    Like 1

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