We don’t normally see an International Scout with the top off for some reason. Maybe because it’s not exactly an easy one-person task to disconnect it, wrestle it off, and then store it someplace while you ride around in the sun. I really like the look of that and I think I’d make an effort to do this if I had a Scout. This 1974 International Scout II can be found listed here on eBay in Sparta, Michigan and the current bid price is $15,200.
Be prepared for several composite photos as the seller has provided mostly vertical photos. Sadly, there isn’t one that really shows the passenger side better than the one above, but bidders don’t seem to be worried about anything on this Scout, clearly. Hagerty is at $15,600 for a #3 good condition Scout, just for the record.
There would be a half-dozen years of production left for the Scout as this one was rolling down the assembly line, and then in 1980, the dream was over. The Scout II was made from 1971 to 1980 and the hardtop was, in fact, removable as you can see with it being in place in the photo above. There was also a soft-top model and later in the run, a Terra, Super Scout, and Traveler, along with enough special editions to make Baskin-Robbins jealous.
The interior appears to be in nice condition and the seller says that this Scout II has spent most of its life in Colorado and Wyoming. They say that the seats are newly-covered in marine-grade vinyl. The rear cargo area appears to be tidy and it would swallow up just about any load that a modern SUV would handle. There appears to be a bedliner-type of coating on the cargo area floor but there’s no mention of it in the seller’s description. They show us the underside and it looks solid with the typical surface corrosion.
The engine is an AMC-sourced 258 cubic-inch inline-six with just under 100 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. This one runs and drives great and there has been a lot of maintenance completed, including “new lockouts, starter, rebuilt carburetor, new tires, shocks, windshield, poly gas tank and sender unit, stainless steel muffler, flexible brake hoses” and more. How much would you pay for this Scout II?
The ONLY thing worthy of consideration here is the AMC-derived bullet-proof engine, a good thing because the IH fours were gutless pieces of wasted iron. Take the engine and scrap the rest or part it out to the foolish “enthusiasts” for these turds who have nothing else to do. There are plenty of reasons this vehicle, and the company (now owned by VW) is no longer around.
Tell us how you *really* feel.
The IH four gets my 1963 Scout up every Forest Service road that is legal. On Highway 2, I drive 45 mph and pull over at every wide spot. Since I rarely go more than 100 miles from my cabin, the extra 10 minutes is just more time to admire the view.
CC Fisher that’s a very good and funny response. I like this vehicle especially considering how Bronco prices have gone out of sight. Jeeps are getting ridiculously priced as well. So there isn’t much left to choose from in these little utility vehicles. By the way, the 258 is a fine engine, but a 304 would be better for most applications.
God Bless America
My brother had one of those
Auction update: this Scout sold for $22,100.