Although its been 45 years since the last Scout rolled off International’s assembly lines, it is an unforgettable vehicle. As the first of its kind, a relatively more civilized 4×4 than the gnarly original Jeep CJ, it made a big impression when it arrived in 1960 and ushered in an era that would soon see ever-more competitors: Ford Bronco, Chevy Blazer, Dodge Ramcharger, Jeepster Commando as well as a host of somewhat smaller ones from Japan.
Although the Scout did not survive the second energy crisis and resultant recession, and production shut down in 1980, the brand is being resurrected by VW, which came to own the name thanks it its ownership of Navistar through its Traton big truck division. The new Traveller SUV and Terra pickup will be available in pure EV end EREV (range extended EV) versions. Will they succeed for longer than the original Scout?
The idea behind the Scout was pretty obvious: make a compact utility that didn’t look like it. At the time, a Jeep CJ was a rough little truck, and who was going to drive one of those to work on those days one didn’t play hooky? And it wasn’t just a 4 wheel drive; it also came in 2WD. And with a tough but reasonably miserly four cylinder engine. Right in tune with the times, when compact cars were the hot new thing.
And if the family wanted to come along, there was even an official Scout camper. Seems like a lot of stuff to fit in its pretty modest bed, but folks were more modest back then, in their size and expectations. And it did have a foldout bed to maximize the room.
Looks like there’s still a few being used.
Today it would be set up more like this one.
The Scout 80 arrived in 1960 sporting a 100″ wheelbase compared to the JC5’s 81″ wheelbase. And it came in a variety of body styles, this one obviously being the open top “convertible”.
In addition to the full-length hardtop, there was also this mini-pickup version, although not seen much.
That left the matter of an engine, since IH only built rather large and heavy sixes and V8s. The solution: cut their 304 CID V8 block in half, resulting in a slant four of 152 cubic inches. Even the V8 distributor was used, with blanks for the missing other four cylinders.
The 2.5 liter Comanche four carried a 93 horsepower rating. Not surprisingly, it was a rather rough running unit, but that was in character with the rest of the Scout, which despite its more modern body was still a pretty primitive vehicle, especially from today’s vantage point. The four had a good torque curve, which was important for off-road work, and it was as tough as the IH V8 that donated half its block to it.
In 1965, there was even a turbocharged version of the four offered, rated at 111.2 hp. It was one of the pioneering turbocharged gas engines of the times, along with the Corvair Monza Spyder and the Olds Cutlass Jetfire. It was probably appreciated in the high altitude mountains.
Given the dual exhausts sticking out on bot sides of this Scout, it’s pretty safe to assume something a bit bigger than the original Commanche four is residing under the hood.
The smaller aftermarket steering wheel strongly suggests that power steering was also part of the brief to make this Scout more user friendly in the 21st century, although it’s hardly brimming with amenities.
I’m a fan of the front grilles of these early Scout 80s. There’s something just so basic and elemental about them.
That applies especially so to the actual grille material; looks like some expanded aluminum one might be able to buy at Home Depot.
I’m a bit surprised that the neo Scout (arriving in 2028) doesn’t have a front end that harks back to the original. But then it would probably look too much like the the Ford Bronco’s retro front end.
As noted, the coming Scout will be available as a pure EV, with an estimated range of some 350 miles, and a range-extending version that will pack a VW-sourced four lying flat below the rear seat, and with an estimated range of some 500 miles. Early reservations are overwhelmingly in favor of the range extended version.
Offering the range extended version was a late change from the original plans, but just as well, as otherwise it would have been quite similar to the Rivian RS-1 SUV.
And that goes for the Terra pickup too. As it is, the Scouts will use Rivian’s all-encompassing software (and related hardware) thanks to the JV between VW and Rivian. Volkswagen has had huge issues with its Cariad in-house software division and just decided to get it from Rivian, which has mastered the art of the software-defined vehicle as pioneered by Tesla.
The Terra name was of course used on the long-wheelbase pickup version of the Scout II.
The Scouts will also break some new-old ground by being available with a front bench seat, something not used on the originals.
Although updated some, this is a pretty sweet-looking early Scout. And yes, these have been going up in their values.
This was the tipoff as to its year. The Scout 80 morphed into the 800 in 1965, which brought a number of other improvements in comfort and convenience but also got rid off the fold down windshield. The Scout 800A, from 1968 up, even had a grille that looked just a wee bit less hardware-store.
The 800 and 800A (built through 1971), also had more engine options on tap: a larger 196 CID four; AMC-sourced 232 six; and the two smallest of the International’s V8s, the 266 and 304.
The Scout II replaced the 80/800/800A in 1971, and was built through 1980. Soaring gas prices and a nasty recession forced International to call it quits, having already abandoned the pickup truck market.
As to the prospects for the new Scout? It’s a risky move on VW’s part. I’m not brimming with optimism about it. VW’s track record in “getting” the US market has been pretty abysmal. But who can predict the future?
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1963 IH Scout 80 – The Advance (SUV) Scout
COAL: 1976 International Harvester Scout II – Peer Pressure by idiotking
Curbside Classic: 1976 International Scout Terra – The Hometown Truck by JPC
I had no idea about the turbo 4. I love the VAG remake, especially the long range version, but for me, its uber unaffordium. Real happy to see its return.
I had a late 60s 800 2wd I had impulsively bought from a friend in the late 90s, with the 196 slant 4. It had fantastic torque, but felt like it was going to explode, and basically ran out of power past 3k rpms despite a redline around 4k.. With its short gearing and only a three speed manual, interstates were dangerous as going past 60 mph was difficult, very much like an old timey farm truck. But chugging around town in third was a breeze. Off road, just off idle rpm it would pull out of anything if it had traction with the locker rear and mud tires despite no 4wd.
Only owned it a few months due to lack of a decent cruising speed, even two lane country roads were stress inducing as passing was out of the question.
I will echo Kevin – the early Scout 4 was much like a Ford Model A in being a real torque monster and a lot of fun to drive – up to about 40 mph. Over that, the vehicle let you know that it would do it, but wasn’t all that happy about it.
The new version seems to channel the Scout II in its styling. The original Scout II may have been the most civilized of the small 4×4 vehicles of its day. Automatics, power steering and air were not uncommon on the Scout II, which had a pretty good run as a suburban grocery getter in my area. Of course, I lived in the city where they were built.
A high school friend briefly had a well worn yellow one with no top. The engine wore its oil on the outside.
Shopping for a used car in 1981 there was a yuppie gray Scout II with a classy off white interior that caught my eye but I felt it simply cost too much.
I have a deposit on the extended range version. The VW part makes me a little nervous but I’m hoping Rivian makes the whole thing work. At this point there’s a 50% chance I don’t follow through.
I wouldn’t waste a dime on anything VW is involved with.
Thanks for a great overview. A friend of my grandfather had an original Scout , and I got a short ride on a rough dirt road in the Blue Ridge Mountains when I was a teenager. And then a good friend had a Traveller which I spent a lot of time in, as passenger and occasionally driver. It was a versatile package with configurable pickup and SUV tops, but at barely 10 years old it seemed pretty crude and prone to minor mechanical issues.
As for the revival, I like it a lot, enough to put down a deposit on the EREV version. Though my EV conversion plans also included the Lightning, R1T, and even the CT but I canceled all of those. I did recently put down a small deposit on a Telo as well. The latter seems like a creative concept but I’m sceptical about its viability. As for the Scout, I think there’s some great design and engineering, however despite being a loyal VW owner (four owned over 40 years) I’m like Paul, not confident in VW’s track record with US-focused products.
I can see you in one of these, much more so than a CT. 🙂
Yes, the EREV version will be a welcome bridge between pure EV and ICE trucks.
As to the Teleo, it’s very clever and cute, but I really can’t see it succeeding even if they ever build some. A near-instant orphan?
The new Scout, being offered as an EV only, will be a flop, just like the new Charger. The originals turned to powder in less than 10 years where I live.
The new Scout also comes as an extended-range EV, meaning with a gas engine. And the Charger is also going to be available in IC versions, with the new Hurricane twin-turbo I6.
Anyone else wishing they planned to offer an ICE of some kind?
VW, possibly.
Vw still sell their Amarok in diesel but the default pickup in NZ is Ranger or Hilux in turbo diesel and Ford hunted thru the parts bin and found the twin turbo diesels it shares with PSA/Stellantis and uses those in Rangers now, V6 or 4 cylinder.
It is interesting that VW is giving up, or at least partially, its stake in new EVs. But as Paul said, since VW has done so poorly in the North American market, maybe the joint venture with Rivian is a positive thing.
I don’t see the purpose for this revival considering the new Bronco already bears more resemblance to the old Scout than it does the original Bronco, and also the biggest appeal of the classic Scouts from todays classic car buyers is they are an absolute bargain compared to classic Broncos. So what’s the appeal? That they’re EVs? Great timing!
The other thing is without even reading Rivian, my immediate first impression seeing these was “those sure look like Rivians”. Perhaps it’s just the tech that’s being utilized from them but they look like reskins, especially the pickup
+1
VW having another go at the pickup market, the BYD Shark pickup has appeared here EV and hybrid according to the signwriting on a demo model Ive seen driving around, but they are selling, Sharks without dealer signwriting are being seen on the roads regularly, VW is starting from behind the 8 ball.
The old Scouts from IH I recall were all the pickup version to compete with Landrover sales, Jeeps had easy roll over issues so didnt have much of a market, great in mud on flat land but no good on hillsides, Scouts most resembled the Austin Gipsys steel body big four tough and dependable untill the rust got involved.
Some time back, I learned that the IH emblem is a tractor driver between two tractor rear tires, viewed from the back of the tractor. Cool.
Yes! Designed by Raymond Loewy, the man responsible for the Studebaker Avanti, Shell and Exxon logos, and locomotives for Pennsylvania Railroad, among many other things.
When a vehicle goes off the market, after enough years it comes to be viewed through rose-colored glasses, a pseudo-nostalgia. Finally, enough years have passed for the IH Scout, all those who know what miserable, rough-riding, rust-bucket, rattletraps they were, are dead and gone!
The time to stick the Rambler nameplate on an EV is now!
All true. Cars are status symbols. If there is valuable cache in a retired car model’s name, a brand, or a styling element, or detail, it will be retreaded. Just give it time.
I enjoyed Chrysler’s resurrection of the ‘Aspen’ name.
I agree.
If VW wants this product to be successful enough to survive, do away with all the unnecessarily expensive options and trying to make a killing on each unit. Recently introduced tariffs will hit everything either hard or much harder.
Good luck.
Bang on, Mr 58etc.
Agreeing with the points of XR7Matt. When the latest Bronco was introduced, I pointed out in the comment section of the YouTube channels of a couple Canadian car reviewers, how much the Bronco looked like the original Scout. And not the original Bronco. Both car review channels, do appear close to the car manufacturers.
Both my comments on the two channels, remained posted for less than an hour. Before they disappeared. Removed by channel moderation, I assumed.
I worked for and lived with a family in Fort Wayne in 1982. It was a depressing time for them, after the floods.
They family bought all their dump trucks from IH and two Scouts-one the same as the pictured blue unit, and its twin in brown. Both loaded and both excellent vehicles.
I worked with a gentleman at night at a Shell gas station. He worked on the Scout line. He told me a story about how the workers had mathematically created a schedule that would have allowed the air pockets created when going through the rust treatment tanks would have prevented the rust over the wheels. The management countered with the number of vehicles that wouldn’t be produced IF they slowed the assembly process down so that’s why they rusted!
Great article
Let me get this straight. This guy at the Shell station who worked on the Scoutline, with help from his friends on the same assembly line had mathematically created a schedule that would have allowed the air pockets created when going through the rust treatment tanks would have prevented the rust over the rear wheels. If Professor Rusty Wheelwell was so smart, why was he working at a Shell station?
Not to nitpick but I don’t think Interenational had to worry about slowing down the assembly line. A greater worry would have been if the had to speed it up.
“why was he working at a Shell station?”
Because it was Fort Wayne in 1982. The overall economy sucked and it was worse there because IH shutting down that plant (which also made big trucks) created a deep hole that was not filled until GM opened the new pickup plant maybe 3 or 4 years later. In 1982 people took what they could get, and were often stuck there because they couldn’t sell a house either.
The original Scout 80 had a bench seat as standard. Individual front seats were optional.
The very cool-looking but atrociously crude originals are one thing, but really, does anyone under the age of, aww, 40, know of or give a flying furball about those truck’s existence? As pointed out above, why this over a Bronco?
It will, surely, take a motza to get the brand up to any level of recognition. Hell, I’m old, and even I’m already bored by the thing. Next!
Good luck, VW. Try not to lie this time, or, indeed, to poison the rest of us from some illegal bit in the battery. (You know, like your diesels).
Looks to me like a Phaeton fate awaits.