International Harvester Scout Is an Alternative Classic 4×4

The Scout was a rugged, off-road vehicle produced from 1961 to 1980 by International Harvester, a truck manufacturer that branched out to the consumer market in the late 1950s. The Scout was designed to compete against the more utilitarian Jeep and was a precursor to more civilized offerings, like the Bronco that was first offered in 1966.

The 1968 Scout was available as a Cab Top Utility, Travel-Top, and open top Roadster.

The Scout was offered through 1970, with the Scout II replacing it in 1971. Scouts came in various configurations, from convertibles to trucks and wagons. Scout IIs even came in a diesel version for a few years.

An Upgraded Original Scout

This restored and modified 1970 Scout features a long list of powertrain and suspension upgrades.

This restored and modified 1970 Scout is now offered on eBay Motors with many upgrades and improvements to the original 4×4. The resto-mod classic features a stroker 383 motor producing 429 horsepower.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

The originals came with engine displacements from a straight-line four-cylinder 152 cubic inches with 93 horsepower to a V-8 with 304 cubic inches with 180 horsepower.

The Many Moods of SUV Restorations

Classic 4x4s are typically offered in three variations of restorations. Some builders, like Gateway Bronco, go over-the-top and resto-mod a vehicle with new motors, transmissions, and electronics. At SEMA last year, Ringbrothers debuted their custom 1972 K5 Blazer. The price tag can easily soar to over $200,000 for these SUVs.

The Ringbrothers ’72 Chevy Blazer at the 2022 SEMA show.

Other restorations look factory-correct and keep things original, and shops offer these off-road units as a homage to the authentic look and style. They are only original once; many buyers seek authenticity in these builds.

Read: A Pure Electric Ford Bronco Classsic from Gateway Bronco

Finally, other offerings take these classic 4x4s, restore or renew the internals to keep them roadworthy, and take them into the dirt. The focus is more on usability and reliability while keeping classic looks.

A well-preserved 1978 Suzuki Samurai 4×4

Besides the Scout, other 4×4 SUV options include:

• Jeep Wagoneer and Cherokee
• Toyota FJ Land Cruiser
• Suzuki Samurai
• Land Rover

Despite their age, many of these classics have little wear and tear and low miles. Owners often used them sporadically for outdoor adventures and kept the mileage down.

An unrestored Scout is the starting point of a restoration project.

The Scout Is Outside the Box

While the classic Broncos and Blazers might draw the big buck buyers, there are plenty of reasons to consider some of these other nameplates.

• For now, the price point to purchase these classics is significantly lower.
• Surprisingly, there are plenty of aftermarket offerings for these models. Whether you want a replacement part or an upgraded version, parts for these brands are abundant on eBay Motors.
• Specific websites and forums are devoted to these models, so information, part sources, and advice is always available.
• You can stand out from the crowd when you roll into a car show with an IH Scout or similar beast. Many might not even realize that International Harvester was a truck and tractor manufacturer.