San Antonio, Texas is one of my favorite cities on the planet, and it looks like there are some hidden gems there as far as vehicles go, as well. This gentleman is presumably saying howdy to the seller who is coming to pick up his formerly hidden 1966 International Scout 800 Sportop, but we don’t know for sure. That solid Scout 800 Sportop is listed here on eBay, and they’re asking $7,999, or best offer. Thanks to T.J. for the tip!
The seller isn’t kidding when they say this Scout 800 is solid. It’s as solid as a visit to San Antonio would be. It’s truly one of the world’s greatest cities, and I never gave it a thought to look for old vehicles on my trips there. I would not change a thing about the exterior appearance of this Scout 800, other than cleaning it up a bit. Check out the driver’s side rocker panel. Yeah, baby!
The unique chrome bumper on this fancy, removable fiberglass top Sportop model is still there and looks almost like new. The Continental spare tire carrier is loaded, but the rubber looks like it belongs on a black Escalade, or maybe that razor-thin ring isn’t a tire. Just kidding, of course, but it’s nice to see the rim and wheelcover, even if the wheel covers are off of an early to mid-70s Plymouth. I-H offered the fiberglass top, more luxurious Sportop model from 1966 until 1968.
Those white knob shifters are fantastic, and other than a lot of work needed on the soft goods inside, things look nicer than I thought they would here. I never like to see wires hanging down from the dash like that, but hopefully all is well, although Texas has its share of mice and other chewing rodents, so I’d prepare for some work. The back seat area isn’t exactly luxurious, even though the Sportop model was meant to be a bit nicer and quieter than the regular Scout. Hagerty is at $11,900 for a #4 fair-condition Scout Sportop, just as a general reference. This one isn’t quite there yet, but I bet most Barn Finds readers could get it working and looking great again in no time.
The engine is, I believe, a 152-cu.in. slant-four, but in 1965/’66, a 196-cu.in. slant-four was also offered. The 152 engine had 92 horsepower and 142 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by what I believe is a Borg Warner T-18 four-speed manual and two-speed transfer case, sending power to all four wheels as required. This one isn’t currently running due to having been stored for an undetermined period of time, but it sure looks like it would be a fun project to bring back to life again. I’d get everything mechanically perfect, fix the seats, and use it as it looks now. How would you bring back this Sportop?
Friendly looking fellow.
😂😆😂
Love that first pic!
He looks like a slightly slimer version of myself. We have this 66 Scout and the 74 Bronco here today. I’m a Ford man but I like this better for what it is, 60 years old, the year of my F-100 and also when I graduated from HS.
100%agree, Scotty-fix the mechanical and drive it. Some folks of course will consider it blasphemy not to take it to the frame and rebuild it but for those inclined to do that, well, go find a pretty one already done and let the rest of us get shifty going down the road!
A co worker once bought a 2WD,single cab version of this
in Chocolate Brown for $50,& I thought “Why would anyone give
money for that.He told me that he later sold it for $450.
Good write-up Scotty and a solid little runabout! With some hot suds & water, a free weekend, along with a few cold suds, and this should clean up quite well. Most of the discoloration on the top appears to be mold and the body panels look like they could be polished out after the cleaning.
Nice Scotty and TJ! This truck is a good example of an early 4×4. I have only come across the sport top a few times that I can remember. It doesn’t seem like it would take much to get it running and how much better would a seller and buyer feel by doing a little work and getting it to fire by pouring a little gas in the carb?
These are really cool!! That gentleman was probably the original owner…
looks like they talked Poppie into selling his truck cheap. ripped out of the garage left on the trailer and now they want a home run for 8k.
Good write-up SG. I agree, it’s not bad at all. Get it running, then a good clean-up including some attention to the paint, followed by upholstery work, and you would have a nifty rig.
Thanks, folks! I really like this one, and the seller has lowered the asking price to $6,799.
Now it’s $6,499.