Picking your favorite classic International Harvester Scout since the model's 1961 launch might be an impossible task.

Dan Carney

May 17, 2022

11 Slides

International Harvester introduced the Scout 80 in 1961 to challenge the Jeep CJ-5, as a bare-bones, removable top, four-wheel-drive utility vehicle.

The company introduced two successors, the Scout 800 in 1966 and the Scout II, in 1973. Scout production ended after the 1980 model year. Across all three generations, the Scout rode on solid front and rear axles, ensuring durability and a truck-like ride.

In keeping with the expectations at the time, the original Scout 80 was powered by a 93-horsepower, 152-cubic-inch slant four-cylinder engine that was one bank of the company’s 304 V8. A short-lived turbocharged version in 1964 was rated at 111 hp.

The Scout 80’s transmission was a three-speed manual BorgWarner T-14 and the Spicer transfer case on the early models had an agricultural power take-off drive.

The slightly larger Scout 800 launched with the same engines as the Scout 80, but it soon gained a larger 192-cu. in. version that was supplemented by an available 232-cu. in. I-6 and a 266 V8 (which was quickly replaced by the 304 V8). A manual three-speed transmission continued as the base transmission, with an available BorgWarner T-45 four-speed manual and a BorgWarner Model 11 three-speed automatic.

1977 SCOUT TERRA 100789.jpg

1978 Scout SS II.jpg

The Scout II employed the same array of engines, with the addition of an enlarged 345 cu. in. V8. Later an American Motors-sourced 258 I-6 replaced the in-house six-cylinder, so the Scout offered a Jeep engine as one option. Additionally, there was an optional Nissan diesel I-6 that ultimately added a turbocharger for the Scout’s last year.

Related:Volkswagen’s Electric Successor to the International Scout 4x4

You can see the progression through these body styles in our photo gallery, as the Scout grew gradually larger. You can also discern the changes in style during its 1961-1980 production run.

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