1976 International Harvester Scout

Description

Say you want a vintage 4x4 but you're not interested in a garden-variety Jeep or Bronco? Something with V8 power, open-air driving, killer good looks, and enough utility to make it earn its keep? Then what you want is this 1976 International Harvester Scout II 4x4, a high-visibility off-roader with a lot of recent work and an attention-grabbing presence.

There's an argument to be made that the Scout was one of the first modern SUVs, a bit more polished and civilized than a Jeep, with the Scout II really paving the way for the bigger cars we see on the road today. There are design elements here that the others have copied over the years, most notably the lift-off roof (although this one is missing its factory top, soft tops can be purchased from online retailers) that transforms it from weather-tight winter fighter to open-air dune jumper in a matter of minutes. The shiny Burgundy Metallic paint is brand new and looks great, especially for an off-roader designed to get dirty, and while it's not perfect, you're definitely going to think twice before heading off the pavement with a looker like this. Panel gaps are surprisingly good, the paint has a great shine thanks to the metal flake in the finish, and we have to say that everyone seems to admire this bright 4x4 when they see it in the showroom. Other than a few small badges, there's a remarkable lack of identification, but everyone knows the Scout II, especially with the big wide grille up front, flanked by those iconic headlights. There's also a sizeable lift and thick off-road rubber so you can put this Scout to work; with V8 power, it's surprisingly capable.

Inside it's fairly basic and utilitarian, albeit with a couple of upgrades. The original buckets are gone, replaced by a set of modern chairs that are far more stylish and comfortable, and better at holding you in place during off-road maneuvers. The rear seat and the carpets are gone, replaced by spray-in bedliner material that's easy to hose off and will practically last forever. The dash is pad-less and still features the original gauges, although a set of auxiliary units underneath along with a tachometer strapped to the steering help keep a better eye on vitals. There's also a new Grant steering wheel that feels much better in the hands of the driver than the original-issue, and the decal in the center of the dash to remind everyone where this Scout likes to send its time. The 3-speed manual shifter and selector for the 2-speed transfer case fall easily to hand, making it a lot of fun to hustle around town. There's also a huge-sized cargo area out back now that the back seat is gone, although one could easily be sourced online should you wish to haul a few more friends around.

The Scout uses a rugged 345 cubic inch V8 equipped with a 4-barrel carburetor that's been tuned for torque. There's a lot of new and maintained equipment under the hood, including tune-up parts, wiring, hoses, a newer battery, and a fresh dual exhaust underneath, so it's in great shape mechanically. The bright red engine paint was an International trademark and the valve covers should look familiar to anyone who has worked on a farm truck. It does have power steering and power front disc brakes to make it easy to handle just about anywhere, and if you're a Scout fan, you know that this machine is virtually indestructible. It's not detailed or perfect, but it's ideal for driving and enjoying which is the entire point. The manual transmission shifts well thanks to a new clutch and it feels plenty punchy around town, almost like a muscle car. The underside is very solid, and features new Rough Country shocks for the lift and a rebuilt rear end, and those big 33x12.50-15 off-road radials look great protecting a set of polished aluminum wheels.

With slick paint and a serviceable interior, this V8 Scout is ready to enjoy, whatever that means to you. If you prefer to color a bit outside the lines, this vintage off-roader will be a great choice. Call today!