International Harvester began producing its off-road Scout vehicles in 1961, and while the original intent was chiefly as a competitor for the Jeep, many now view it as a forerunner to the more modern SUV.  The Scout II was introduced as a 1971 model, with International Harvester even experimenting with ideas for future vehicles in the works based on the Scout, but a strike ended up hurting the company financially before these plans materialized, and even the Scout itself succumbed, with the last one rolling off the assembly line in 1980.  If a mid-seventies model Scout sounds interesting to you, this 1974 International Scout II may be a good car to take a look at.  It’s located in Springdale, Arkansas, and can be seen here on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $41,900.

The seller of this Scout II has owned the vehicle for about a year and describes it as a super vintage time capsule with original paint.  He says that until last year the Scout had spent its entire life in Texas and Arizona, and claims that it’s a solid original.  To be nearly 50 years old, the paint looks pretty good with a patina fitting to a 4WD that has seen some off-road use.  There’s a small dent here and there plus some paint chips, but overall the outside still looks decent.  It’s also wearing a 2.5-inch Rough Country Lift, and there are 4 new BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A white letter tires on the stock steel wheels.  Several photos are provided of the underside, including this one, and things down below are also looking solid, plus there’s a new exhaust system in place under there.

The seat upholstery is said to be original, and to have traveled in the hot sun all those years it still presents respectably, although there is at least one tear on the driver’s side seat in the lower-left area near the seat belt.  The dash has some cracks, but the carpet is new.  No specific word on the gauges, but the dash lights are said to be working, as are the blinkers, horn, and wipers.  Air conditioning is present, but the seller says it needs a charge.  The heater is said to be functioning great.

Powering the 4×4 is a 345 cubic-inch V8, paired with an automatic transmission.  There’s no mention of whether or not either has ever had a rebuild, but the seller does say that the vehicle runs and drives amazing, plus he also states that the trans filter, pan gasket, and shifter cable are new.  Other new parts specified include a starter, fuel pump, battery, and carburetor kit, plus a few more recently replaced items.  If you’re liking what you see, there’s also the option to make an offer, so there may be some negotiating room on this one.  What are your thoughts on this 1974 International Scout II?