Coming a decade before the reported first usage of the term Sport Utility Vehicle, this 1964 International Scout 80 would be a fun one to own. The seller has this driveable project 4×4 listed here on eBay in Richmond, California. The current bid price is just over $4,000 and there is no reserve. This is one to watch if you’re looking for an early Scout.
The early Scout 80s are my personal favorites, back from the era when they were almost more from the agricultural side of International-Harvester than the truck side of things. They were plain and somewhat rough but that’s what I like about them. The Scout 80 was made from 1960 to 1965 and early models had a fold-down windshield which would add to the fun factor. I mean, this isn’t a vehicle that you’re going to take cross-country or to the theater with valet parking. Although both of those would be fun to do now that I think about it.
This isn’t the pickup version but, unfortunately, the seller says that it doesn’t have either the soft top or the hardtop so the next owner will have to scour the I-H forums to track down some sort of top unless they live in a climate where that isn’t necessary. Even with it having four-wheel drive, I’d have a very hard time driving this one on salty, slushy roads since it’s so solid now after this many decades.
I don’t see any glaring issues anywhere really, inside or out. There is no rust to speak of that I can see, just surface rust underneath. A personal inspection is always ideal if that’s possible which is rarely the case for online vehicles. The seller bought this one as a “Covid project” and they’ve put a lot of work into it. The rear seat is missing but that just gives more room for hauling things.
They did the bulk of the work on getting this Scout running and it looks good under the hood. They say that it’s a running and driving Scout now but they’re recommending spending more time on it before putting any major miles on it. The engine should be International’s 152 cubic-inch four-cylinder with 93 horsepower. As a general idea of value, Hagerty lists a #4 fair condition Scout as being worth $8,400 so this could be a good buy. Any thoughts on this one?
We can always count on Scotty to give an accurate perspective. Cross country in a Scout 80, and I’m sure someone did it, would be a long ride. Considering the amount of miles this guy puts on in a year( he has like 330K on a Prius, and STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL BRAKES, which I thought is amazing), so he probably WOULD have fun cross country in this. I’d say, this truck, being red and in such good condition, along with the rear bumper and seating, it was some sort of brush fire truck. In the 60’s, there were very few red vehicles, mostly to eliminate the “where’s the fire, Chief” jokes. Much more in line for what I consider a limited use vehicle like this should go for.
Nice little Scout . I wished he lived closer. I have the half cab top.
we have had some of these scouts in the shop over the years for the most part they were junk like this one will be sorry
The Scout became popular very quickly out in the Chinook Belt. Ted Ornas was the primary designer and he was an International TRUCK MAN for many years. My boss actually met him and had a good visit back in the day. But Mr. Ornas designed the Scout as a TRUCK, leaving out ALL of the pixie dust and unicorn whiz. He knew that the last place anyone wanted to be stranded was out in the boonies in a blizzard so he made something that had the ability to bring you home in the worst conditions. The Scouts I saw were abused to the max. Owned by ranchers who could destroy anything that wasn’t covered with hair (Dad had some of them working for him) the Scout was a four-wheeled horse, always rode hard and put away wet. This one, I would definitely consider. Of course, I would require the top and I’m enough of a candyass to mandate a heater, which I don’t think this has…
A heater? Oh, you’re getting soft, my friend. Folks, Geomechs lives in one of the harshest environments, Canada, hey. We, in Wisconsin, always thought, “well, it’s cold, but at least it’s not Canada”. To be clear, cold is cold, after a certain point, it’s just a number. I’m dismayed at this “dogwaters” response. The Scout was made from all “off the shelf” quality name brand parts, many still available today. Companies like Timkin, Spicer, Bendix, war proven stuff, there was nothing “junk” about them. It was the Scout that made Kaiser sweat. For the 1st time, Jeep didn’t control the whole 4×4 market, the Scout was every bit as good. Too bad, it was the Landcruiser that made the Jeep AND Scout makers nervous. I like this picture of the Chicago blizzard of ’67. Notice the only vehicle moving, ,https://infospigot.typepad.com/infospigot_the_chronicles/2011/02/our-blizzard.html
Hey Bro, don’t be so quick to push me out of the country. I’m an American Border Brat, raised on the border west of Sweetgrass, MT. They often referred to us as ‘AMERIDIANS,’ which is kind of a dumb expression but the comedian, John Byner, called himself a ‘CANARICAN.’ I work in Canada but that’s as Canadian as I’ll ever get. But my wife is Canadian, even though both sides of her heritage are American for five generations (mine go back to 1642). OK, there was a blizzard back in the spring of ’67 out west. It set records from Great Falls to Calgary with the most falling on the border (six feet in Great Falls and an extra 6 inches in Sweetgrass. I remember that because I helped feed cattle on the ranch because I couldn’t go to school. Actually, the Air Force and Air National Guard sent up Chinook helicopters to carry hay to the stranded cattle. The local International Dealers in Ethridge, MT, and just north of the border sold every Scout (and any other 4×4) they could get their hands on. Interesting enough they were able to latch onto the Scouts. The Broncos were new and impossible to get. Dad did manage to find a Ford F-250 4×4 that we ran for many years. But I think that ’67 was a real boost for Scouts back in the Chinook Belt…
The heater is clearly visible, it’s the funny looking box on the left, of the engine photo. Also the big triangular defroster vents on the dash are evidence that it was so equipped.
You are so right, Steve. There is a heater perched upon that fender well. I have seen them with the defroster ducts even without a heater though…
The only down fall I seen about International in the later years .Was they started making the bodys and frames thinner. Cutting back on quality . Which alot of companys did. The ceos where looking for fatter bank accounts for themselfs. I definitely like to own this one or any old scout. The older ones were a well made vehicles and done what they were made to do. If I had the funds–I,d drive it across country and see the U.S.A. .I like it alot.
Auction update: this Scout sold for $7,712.