Last week, we took a look at a Jeep Grand Wagoneer, a vehicle that dated to 1963 and was way ahead of the SUV/CUV craze. There was also another early player in that marketing space, International. And here is an example of their contribution, a 1974 International Scout II. Located in Caldwell, Idaho, it is available here on eBay for a current bid of $4,150, 31 bids tendered so far.

The Scout was produced between 1961 and 1980 and was offered as a two-door SUV and a pickup truck. In nineteen years of production, 500K + copies of the Scout were assembled. This 1974 example is technically known as a Scout II (1971-1980).

The seller claims that this Scout II is “extremely rare” because it is a “Deluxe” version. The rareness of a Deluxe edition could not be verified so if any readers with Scout II familiarity can attest to that aspect, please advise. The seller suggests that the body could use some cosmetic work or leave it as is and just drive it for general outdoor or hunting use. The body is straight but it does have rust-through in the quarters and rockers – something a bit more than cosmetics. The seller also states that while the frame is solid and rust-free, the floors could use some help. All in all, this Scout II doesn’t look too rough, just quite worn – it is a driver. Of interest, the hardtop is removable for some open-air motoring enjoyment.

The interior is about as basic as you can get though the listing describes it as having the “Factory Premium Interior Package”. If this is how the “premium” package shows, I wouldn’t want to hazard a guess as to how the standard interior appears. Any way you cut it, it is a very basic interior and completely in keeping with the time for a utility vehicle of this nature. While the presence of the original seats is referenced, they have been recovered with auto parts store covers. The seller adds that the dash pad is intact and not split and the original AM radio is present as well, something not found often on a vehicle of this age.

Under the hood is an International V8 engine though the seller does not state whether it is a 304 or 345 CI variant (the VIN isn’t specific). While AMC engines were used in Scouts too, this engine is not an AMC unit but an actual International motor. The 304 was rated at 137 net HP while the 345 marked up at 149 net HP. The seller states that this Scout II is an amazing restoration candidate but makes no reference regarding its current operational capability. Hard to say what happened to the air cleaner assembly. The transmission in place should be a Chrysler A727 TorqueFlite, three-speed automatic unit working in concert with an International 4X4 transfer case and utilizing locking hubs. As a  benefit, this Scout II has power front disc brakes. A rarely selected option on early ’74 Scout II’s, though they became standard affair later in the model year and this Scout’s 7/17/74 build-date would qualify it as a late build.

I remember a time when International Scouts were a pretty common sight. I recall a co-worker in 1978 telling me that he had just bought a ’74 model strictly to do some out in the woods running that would get him back and forth to his hunting lodge. And this example would be perfectly suited for that sort of use. Or it could be restored, or hot-rodded, or resto-modded or……Probably endless possibilities abound. There is only one day of bidding to go so what way would you take this Scout II?