- A simple yet stylish body
- A turbocharged version
- More creature comforts
A vehicle to go head-to-head with the "Civilian" version of the Jeep
A simple yet stylish body
The original idea was to construct the body of the Scout from a tough, durable plastic material that Goodyear Rubber Company had developed however after the costs were calculated, it was decided to do it in traditional sheet metal.
Riding on a 100-inch wheelbase and incorporating a full frame, these vehicles had a 53-inch track width and incorporated leaf springs front and rear. Scouts were available with 2- and 4-wheel drive, and Powr-Lok limited-slip differentials were optional. The Scout was wrapped with a simple yet stylish body with soft corners and a graceful presentation, complete with a compact 5-foot cargo bed. The design incorporated short front and rear overhangs for optimum off-road maneuverability. Included in the package was a fold-down windshield, sliding side windows and a simple, utilitarian interior. The doors were removable.
Deciding on an engine for the compact Scout was not an easy choice for the IH engineering staff. Early on they researched available powerplants from outside sources, then after a lot of testing and cost analysis, the decision was made to simply make a four-cylinder engine themselves!
In a way to save money plus to incorporate as many "off the shelf" parts as possible for the new 4-cylinder, 152-cid Scout engine, IH engineers took one of their existing V8 engines (which displaced 304-cid) and chopped off the entire left-hand side bank of the engine (eliminating four cylinders) and coming up with an aluminum intake manifold, the result was an inline four-cylinder powerplant that was slanted 40-degrees downward to the driver's side. Using 8.19:1 compression the 4-cylinder Scout engine produced 93.5 horsepower at 4400 rpm.
The little Scout sold well. In just one month after initial production began, a second shift was added to deal with the brisk sales at the dealerships. Some 28,000 were sold that first year, making it the hottest selling vehicle in company history. Pricing started at $1690.85 for the 2WD, and $2139 for the 4X4. 2WD had a shipping weight of 2800 pounds, 4WD versions listed at 3000 pounds.
The Scout was updated
Called a "runabout" known around IH dealerships as the "Scout 80," it was the first of its kind as an "SUV" which wasn't even an automotive term at that time, and some four years later, Ford Motor Company did an almost exact copy of the Scout with their Bronco.
Starting in 1966 the Scout was updated as the Scout 80 and among the changes:
- a fixed windshield
- improved seating
- better heating system
- updated instrument panel
- optional rear seats
An available turbocharged version (based on the same 152-cid 4-cylinder) was optional, as a 196-cid 4-cylinder, and by 1967 a V8 engine (266-cid) was offered, and with that came a new, stronger Dana 44 rear axle (replacing the former Dana 27). The Scout 800's fiberglass "Sportop" featured a newly designed slanted rear styling feature, which gave those models a new, freshened-up appearance.
A sales milestone took place on 11/27/1958 when the 200,000th International Scout rolled off the assembly line. 1969 saw the introduction of the 304-cid V8 optional engine, and the headlights now had square-shaped surrounds, and an AMC-sourced 232-cid straight-six was added as an option.
Launched for introduction to the 1972 model year, a new "Scout II" was introduced. Completely redesigned, it came with a lot more creature comforts and gave new life to the brand. Extended wheelbase versions (Scout Traveler and Scout Terra) came in 1976 to broaden out the product line, and the next model year the "SS II" (Super Scout) was released, a "Baja-Tough" version for serious off-road activity.
On October 21, 1980, Production of the Scout II ended, which culminated in some 73 years of light-truck manufacturing and an end to an era for a sporty little utility vehicle that was unique and different. Over a half-million were produced, and it all started with a sketch on Ted Ornas' kitchen table.
Three different versions
- Steel Travel Top
- Steel Cab Top
- Vinyl top, and when removed a roadster
The total development time for the Scout was 24 months, which was a truly heroic achievement especially considering there was no in-house engine for the project at the time it was started. Shown here in 2WD form with steel cab top (removable), Scouts were used in a variety of duties, including Parking Patrol for the City of Midland, MI. This shot shows the operation of the sliding side windows. A bare-bones Scout had a base price of $1690.85. Approximately 80-percent of the customers ordered their vehicles with 4WD, which came in handy when equipped with a snowplow.
With full support from the factory, rolling Scout II chassis were supplied to Glassic Industries to be mounted with a Model A replica body and interior. Starting in 1966, these were fiberglass bodies (made to look like a Model A Phaeton Touring model) and with the frame, engine, and running gear from a Model 800 4x2, they made economical and distinctive vehicles for those that appreciated the looks of a vintage automobile. They came in three colors (Flag Red, Jet Black and Snow White) and one of the ways these cars were marketed was in the annual Abercrombie and Fitch Christmas catalogs.
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