Looking to compete with Jeep, International Harvester introduced the Scout in 1960 – and some iteration of it was in production for the next 20 years. They were all built in Fort Wayne, Indiana as 2-door SUVs (before they were known as such) with removable tops. But you could also get the Scout with a full roof or as a pickup. The 800 was one of the Scout’s variants, including this example from 1967 that looks to have been in a shed of sorts for some time. The engine was removed (but survives), so this is a rolling project located north of Houston, Texas, and is available here on craigslist for $3,000 OBO.
The 800 was in the IH mix from 1965 to 1968 and was a bit fancier than its predecessor, the 80, but it was hardly opulent. From the photos, the ’67 version is the pickup and comes with a four-cylinder engine in the shop. We’re guessing it’s the “Comanche 152” I-4 which produced 93 hp when in running condition. We don’t know the history of this full-time 4X4 other than the body is said to be solid, and rust hasn’t become an issue – at least not yet.
We don’t know how complete this Scout is because the photos only show it from a couple of angles and none of the interior. The seller says it’s finished in white, but grey primer might be more like it and the vehicle has a coat of mildew or grime from resting in its perch. The odometer reads 25,000 miles, but it’s broken and may have stopped at 125,000. The transmission is a manual shift, but we don’t know if it’s a three or four-speed. If you’re looking for an early SUV to restore that’s not a Jeep, could this be it?
I’m fairly certain all manual-transmission Scouts had three speeds. And, ignoring the condition of the paint, missing trim, etc., I’m also sure this is rusty underneath. A close inspection is mandatory before flashing the bankroll.
The 800 was available with a full top, half-top, or no top. Ours had a full top and a back seat. Never saw one in person — only in sales brochures — but believe the half-top versions had a bulkhead behind the front seats. There were some useful options available, like locking front hubs (manual, as was the norm back then) and a second fuel tank, which this particular example doesn’t have.
Last time I checked, parts were available but somewhat pricey. Though neither speedy or especially comfortable on the highway, Scouts were pretty decent off-roaders.
I think the engine might be a 196ci, right half of a 392. One of the many places I worked had a later model half-cab Scout w/AMC 6cyl. Tuff as nails and we beat the crap out of it!
Not a full-time 4 x 4.
I hear VW now owns the Scout name, and plan for an electric Scout. Oh my. Will the evil Germans ruin it like other Germans did to Chrysler?
I had one in 1975, was <10 years old and on a quiet night you could hear it rust…
When I was a kid, I had an all metal Tonka toy Int’l Scout with a removable cab and a plow which I could angle. I spent a few snowy days cleaning the super highway called a sidewalk! Lol! Almost got hit by a car a couple of times! If I hadn’t used it so much, might be worth a few bucks today. FYI, Tonka Toys was based in Minnetonka, Mn., a western suburb of the Twin Cities. Affluent area around Lake Minnetonka. Big mansions of the Pillsbury and Cargill families.