International Scouts are a sometimes overlooked segment of early SUV’s. Made from 1960 to 1965, the Scout 80 was built to rival the Jeep CJ and Toyota Land Cruiser and was a precursor to the Bronco. In fact, some people claim the Scout 80 was the first true “Sport Utility Vehicle” with International claiming “It handles like a small car, hauls like a wagon and is built like a Scout.” This one is from 1965 and can be found here on eBay with a current bid of $2,250. Located in Linden, New Jersey, there’s no information in the ad regarding where the Scout has spent its life, but overall, it doesn’t look too bad. Have a closer look for yourself.
The interior features classic plaid upholstery that was common in the 1960s. It appears that a majority of this Scout is in original and untouched condition. The seller claims the body is solid, but there aren’t any up-close photos of the floor or cargo area.
According to hiconsumption.com, “The Scout 80 ran on a normally aspirated 152 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine, generating around 93 horsepower.” There’s no information in the ad that indicates the engine runs (or even turns over), so any prospective buyers would be wise to budget an engine swap for this project. It’s very common for people to swap in AMC engines or small-block Chevrolets into these Scouts, which isn’t a bad way to go.
While it doesn’t present too well, you can see this example is pretty solid. A good power wash along with wheels and tires would knock a ton of the ugly off this one. What do you think? Are you a fan of old Scouts?
Ugly, but it looks solid. Worth rebuilding if bought right.
Scouts are great trucks, it’s simply amazing what some people will throw away. Quick correction, this is a Scout 800, not an 80. In 1965, the 800 replaced the 80, although, some 80’s were made. Outside, not much change, but inside, better heater and gauges, bucket seats and optional back seats, it was just a more refined Scout. I’ve seen much worse Scouts, so it’s nice to hear a salvage yard owner saved this. There’s hope yet. The 4 banger is adequate for the original intent, and being “half an IH V8”, probably just as indestructible. Great find, just don’t expected new Bronco ride,,,
Those seats look like they would clean up like new in an afternoon. That’s pretty amazing. The rest would need a little more time and effort. Still worthwhile though.
The You Tube channel Restored is working on one right now.
The odd thing that jumped out is that this 4 cylinder engine uses an 8 cylinder distributor.
They block off every other hole in the cap and just use four of them. I don’t know how they don’t get the spark jumping everywhere, but I guess it has worked for over 50 years.
You are correct and my compliments for sharing that arcane tidbit. We had a work truck Scout back in the 70’s and I remember tuning that thing up and laughing about the cap setup.
While it s a Delco 8 cylinder distributor, it’s geared to spin faster than a V8 so it can skip a terminal. Try and find one of those caps today. Years ago, the only place you could get IH parts were at dealers. They used funky commercial plugs and filters nobody else carried. It was worse than a foreign car.
I’d bet that you could fetch a pretty penny for that bed cap all by itself…..
What kind of rear end is that 8 bolt or a hubcap holder
These, I believe, used Dana 44, 5 bolt axles. Not sure where that rim on the back came from.
Early scouts 61-65 all used the Dana 27. 67 and up they began offering a Dana 30 and later a Dana 44.
The scout 80 was made 61-65. The 800 began in 66. Howard A is correct, this is an 800. The quick way to tell is that the windshield folded down in 80s and the wipers were mounted at the top of the windshield frame. On the 800s, the windshield was fixed and the wipers were mounted at the bottom. Though you could special order a folding windshield in an 800. Also this dashboard is 800 only.
So that means the seller is mistaken about the year, as there were no 65 scout 800s. That’s not uncommon though. The year is wrong on probably 25% of the listings I see.
Cool truck though. No doubt someone will be all over it.
If Richard Rawlings hadn’t already done such a project, this probably would have been the one he would have turned into the HellScout had he learned of its existence.
Kind of looks like the new Bronco……
Looks a bit rough and its on the East coast , so a good inspection of the underside would need to be done , one has to wonder how much those pieces of sheet metal patches are covering. The transmission is out of the Scout too , so that may have been the reason it was parked . Worst case scenario, it would be a great parts vehicle.
International Scout Junk not worth saving by a bronco ,Blazer, Etc
My dad bought a 65 Scout w/right hand drive for a hunting vehicle in about 76. Good little truck, certainly not fast but the little 4 ran well, and with the posi 4wd, it was a billy goat, that could go almost anywhere. It was originally white, but got the camo brush paint job, with the big whip antenna for the new cb. unfortunately my 16 year old brother managed to roll it by attempting to turn around in a ditch. My dad sold it to my mom’s uncle, who used it for awhile, but then sebt it to a relative on his wifes side and I never saw it again. It was a solid vehicle that was starting to rust from inside out, as it had no interior covering except the seats. One if those vehicles you wish you took better care of and keot. About a $400 purchase back then!