Vehicle 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!
