Perfect Patina? 1965 International Scout 80
In its current condition, this 1965 International Harvester Scout 80 is air-cooled because there is no engine under the hood! The seller states that the body is sold but “has dents and dings but it just adds to the character of the car.” It also detracts from its value. The Scout is located in Mission Viejo, California, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The reserve has not been met but bids are just over $2,000 with one day left in the auction.
The original 152 cubic inch inline 4 cylinder engine, the manual transmission, and driveshafts have been removed from the Scout. The inline 4 cylinder engine has been torn down and goes with the sale as well as the driveshafts to the front and rear gears and the functional transmission. The locking hubs stick and will need to be replaced or rebuilt along with the Scout’s wiring system that is said to be a rat’s nest.
The International Harvester Scout was produced from 1960 to 1980. The interior on early Scout’s is spartan but this one looks pretty good except for the floorboards which are rusted through. The Scout 80 was the first generation of the Scout and produced from 1960 to 1965. The Scout 80 was followed by the Scout 800 that was manufactured until 1971 and then the Scout II was built from 1971 to 1980.
With the engine out of the Scout, it is hard to judge the condition of the suspension but this one seems to be fairly level. The rear tailgate and hatch are said to be functional and you can see a little step ladder added to the back bumper. The removable top is missing some of the glass but the seller states that he has it and it goes with the sale. This Scout 80 is not drawing much attention as the bids close. Someone may get a really good deal on it.
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Comments
It’s too bad the floors are in bad shape; the rest of the truck looks fixable. I would be tempted to source out a 266 or 304 while it’s apart. The 152 is a little anemic. Full body-off driver-quality restoration otherwise. Popularity of these seems to be on the rise although it could be that I’m more involved with Binders these days. I just completed an estimate for parts for a complete driveline rebuild for one of those (with a V8). Everything from the radiator to the rear bumper and all the guy said was, “how soon?”
Normally I’m a dogmatist when it comes to originality, but in this condition you are basically buying a body and chassis since everything will have to be rebuilt.
Pragmatically, it’s time to upgrade this one – modern drivetrain, suspension, brakes, add A/C but retain the original look. Taking that route you will have a great driving, great looking rig that you can enjoy and you won’t lose money on.
That’a pretty much what I was thinking as I read this write-up. Other than the floors, you have this nice, solid canvas for a pretty cool rig. You’re gonna have to source all the mechanical bits anyway, so why not upgrade performance/braking/suspension/creature comforts and so on. I’d keep it in the spirit of the original idea; a fairly basic, go anywhere ride. But there are some great possibilities here!
This is the second time it’s been listed on eBay. The first time it was bid to $2,900 and met reserve, however the transaction was not completed. For this auction the seller installed the headlights and taillights plus took new pictures. As long as the reserve hasn’t been changed, the sellers expectations are very reasonable. Good luck to the new owner.
Steve R