International Harvester began life in 1902 as an aggregation of farm equipment makers. Among its products were corn and grain binders, a factoid that became important much later on, as IH evolved to make everything from trucks to lawn equipment, and eventually, the Scout. The first Scout arrived on the scene for 1961, with a sturdy four-wheel-drive transfer case and a 152 ci four-cylinder engine making about 87 bhp. While the early Scout was slow, owners say it could climb a tree from a standing start. In 1971, the Scout II arrived with numerous engine options and more creature comforts. In recent years, along with the Ford Bronco and other early utility vehicles, the Scout has attracted serious interest from collectors, driving prices up substantially. Clean original examples can inspire a feeding frenzy. This 1979 Scout II with the top of the line 345 ci V8, here on eBay, is already bid to $30,202, reserve not met. You’ll be picking it up in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The orange color and side stripes epitomize the 1970s and suit the lines of the Scout so well. The seller indicates the body has no rust. The vehicle spent most of its life in Utah, owned by one family, racking up only 84,816 miles. Slotted mags add a modern touch, but if this were mine, I would source one of the three types of original wheels for a more vintage look. The interior is dynamite, with plaid seating surfaces and the original rubber matting in complementary red-orange. The rear bench seat is just as nice as the front seats. The dash is nearly pristine, and what we can see of the headliner is perfect. And if you want to make full use of your sunglasses, the top is removable.

Under the hood, original finishes show honest wear of years and miles. Other than replacing any worn hoses and gently cleaning off the oil and dust, I would leave this engine bay alone as a perfect match to the patina everywhere else. At the center of it all rests the stout V8, good for about 197 bhp, a big improvement over the early four cylinder Scouts. These ponies feed through a three-speed floor shift automatic paired with a two-speed transfer case. Power steering and power brakes complete the package.

The undercarriage is as nice as one can expect for the mileage with no sign of collision or corrosion. The leaf springs look new. Adding to the appeal of these vehicles, club and parts support is substantial. The Scout is affectionately known as a “binder” – a nod to the farm origins of International Harvester, so don’t be surprised if your search for Scout turns up “BinderPlanet”! All in all this Scout is a beautiful example of a period vehicle that has likely been cared for throughout its life. What would you pay for this gem?