There were over 500,00 Scouts built from 1960 to 1980 but only a fraction of those remain in running and driving condition today. This example is a 1979 International Harvester Scout II. It is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has been bid to $20,100 here on eBay with 3 days remaining in the auction. This one owner Scout II is loaded with options and is powered by a V8 engine and automatic transmission.
There are not many pictures of the interior but the seller states that this 4WD Scout II is optioned with air conditioning, AM/FM Stereo with cassette player, cruise control, power steering, tinted rear windows and an automatic transmission. The front seats have seat covers and an aftermarket console sits between the bucket front seats. The door panels appear original with plaid inserts and it is likely that the carpet is original too.
This Scout II is powered by a 354 cubic inch V8 engine rated at 197 bhp. The original carburetor was replaced with a new Edelbrock carb which the owner says was a big improvement. To make the carb fit, the owner added a hood scoop. A third brake light was also added on the rear hatch window. The owner has listed all the modifications and improvements that have been made over the years in the ad including new polyurethane bushings and a 75 amp alternator.
The seller states that they are the original owner of this Scout II having purchased it from the dealer in 1980. It has covered 106,510 miles and has been garaged most of its life. The Scout II is painted in Tahitian red with a matching interior. As with most original Scouts of this vintage, the paint is showing its age and a few rust spots have popped up. The owner has kept this one in the garage most of its life and it is claimed to have won first place in its class back in 1997 at the Scout Nationals.
As with most original Scouts…a little rust??? Try most Scouts disintegrated from rust. I had one in high school (loved the plaid interiors) and the entire body was rotting. Apparently this was an issue in production as International got bad sheet metal and used it anyway. I’d take a good look underneath for any other signs of rust before dropping that much on a Scout.
The seller indicates that the vehicle underwent rust repairs in 1997, so a little rust may be an accurate statement.
As for the legend that International bought bad steel, it’s just that – a legend. I’ve heard it told several ways:
International didn’t store the steel properly.
The steel manufacturer didn’t store the steel properly.
International’s purchasing agents went to the steel mill, saw that the steel stored improperly, but bought it because it was cheaper.
I think it’s absurd to think that improper storage persisted over 20 years of Scout production, and beyond absurd to believe that purchasing agents actually hand-selected steel rolls. If anything, it’s more likely that International purchased a lesser grade of steel that was more susceptible to rust.
Nice call on yet another automotive fable/tall tale/BS. Any carbon steel will rust. It is more of a poor design function that lets water plus salt plus road junk sit in a pocket and the area you live in. Example: my 1995 Explorers gas tank rotted out after 16 western New York, salt-stained winters because the skid plate was about an 1/8″ or less from the tank. There must have been 10 pounds of junk stuck in between tank and plate.
Lots of cheesy metal used on mid to late 70’s cars. That’s legendary.
You must live in the northeast. We still have solid Scouts her ein California. If this one is from the west coast then it should be fine.
When we were looking at scouts new on the lot you could see rust on them already. One of the reasons we didnt buy one and ended up with a used K5 blazer !
And the Blazer probably rusted worse than the Scout lol
GM steel was no better ! 70s Blazers rusted as you looked at them!
A 354? Never heard of it, maybe the writer meant 304, or maybe I just don’t remember well, which I sometimes don’t. I bought a 75 Scout II back in 94, paid $800 for it, yeah, pretty rusty in spots, but not much worse than most 20 year old vehicles at the time. Drove it trouble free for a few years, and traded it for a 60 F100, sweet little pickup
I had a scout in 79 I thought it was a 345 ???? Am I wrong ?
I think he has it wrong, the bigger scout v8 was a 345 cid. But since other engine mods(carb replacement with non stock performance carb) it’s possible there are other modifications made, longer stroke or cammed which can change the displacement.
Probably meant 345. I’ve had 6 Scouts and all had the 345 engine.
That sounds more like it. Mine was a 304
As did mine. All torque. Did not like to rev at all.
Yep, mine has a 345. That console is not aftermarket; that was an International accessory. I’d want to see what condition the wiring is to work with that beefier alternator; the connectors on the bulkhead were not known for aging well or handling increased electrical loads.
This is one of the nicest ones I have ever seen. Most are rusted out junks in the NE area. If it was between a Jeep, Bronco or Scout of the same year. Its the Scout!
Frank I pulled a stuck milk truck out of a snow bank one time with ease. Sweet truck and decent power.
I have never seen the plastic panel on the outside of the tail gate before, does anyone know anything about it?
after zooming the ebay pics i would say it is some kind of aftermarket piece.
beautiful looking scout. can’t remember the last time i saw one this nice up here in rust hampshire
The tailgate panel was a rare option traced back to the SS2 or more likely the IH accessories catalog. IH had several short run accessories that varied from year to year for the Scout 2 line.
The 79 scout 2 I had received all new corner panels around taillights in really bad rust prone areas. It was an awesome vehicle.
International Eagle is a beautiful big rig.
Absolutely. I had a beautiful Scout two with rally pkge. Dumb stupid kid I was. Wish I had it again. Chrome factory wheels and gorgeous all around. Dual exhaust with upgrades to make an awesome rumble
I almost bought a Scout ii, when I was in my early 20s, there at the local Ford dealership used car lot was a gray scout. 4 spd I6. I wanted it something fierce. My parents were going to loan me the money, $800 is what they wanted. Well we went to look at it but it wouldn’t start. So my dad stated that Scouts were “built broken” and refused to loan me the money if I bought it. Come to find out, it needed a new carb. Oh well. Now look at the price.
This was the ‘ERA’ of the hot looking Scouts that detracted from Fords Bronco in so many ways. These vehicles were amazing; if they were being produced today, they would gain QUITE THE market share.
Well, that’s certainly not a grille from 1979 . I had a 1977 Terra with a diesel engine in CA and it leaked rain water into the interior like a sieve, so I imagine rust totaled most of them wherever they were located. Too bad, as the diesel option worked pretty well. PS: 345 engines were common in lots of IH trucks