We all love a good, classic SUV (or even pickup truck) but now there’s even more reason to show some love to the International Harvester Scout. While never as popular as the ilk of the big “cars” from the Detroit Three, the classic International Harvester Scout still enjoyed top ratings as an off-roader in its heydays, lasting from 1961 to 1980.
Think of the International Harvester Scout as the precursor to the modern SUV, although it came from an automaker that mostly made farm equipment and heavy machinery up until then. Despite the decent success that included a sale of some 500,000+ examples of the Scout, by 1980, IH called it a day, unable to compete with the Detroit biggies and also hit by the autoworker strike.
Today, these classics are few and far between but now is the time to invest in a used one, or hold on to your International Harvester Scout if you have one, because, after more than 40 years, the Scout is back, via Volkswagen!
The International Harvester Scout Boasts A Strong Legacy
It was the International Harvester Scout’s off-roading strength that perhaps edged it out of the market, as rivals like the Ford Bronco and the Jeep CJ-7 tried to add city luxury in their off-roaders, to make them appeal to a wider audience.
Of course, given the International Harvester’s relatively humbler origins, it could not compete with the bigger giants either when it came to dealer network or longevity, but it did manage to establish itself in the racing arena, especially in the latter years when the Super Scout debuted.
In 1969, Jimmy Ray Jones managed to finish 13th in the NORRA (National Off Road Racing Association) Baja 1000 in a Scout 800A. By 1972, he moved on to a Scout II 4X2 and won the class and suddenly, the International Harvester Scout became a big thing in racing. In 1977, Jerry Boone finished first in a Super Scout II in the 4x4 class at the Baja 1000, with a lead over the Jeep CJ7 of two hours. Just after three years, the Scout went off the market. Racing continued, and many drivers drove their versions of the Super Scout II to win almost all major off-road races in 1982, creating a stunning legacy for the Scout. Even so, by 1985, the International Harvester itself went defunct and the Scout became nothing more than a memory till now.
Volkswagen Is Bringing The Scout Back With An Electrifying Twist
Volkswagen recently announced the revival of Scout, as Scout Motors, as a series of rugged SUVs and pickup trucks for the American market, built on American soil. But how did VW manage to get Scout? Apparently, VW’s truck subsidiary merged with Navistar, which is the corporate descendant of International Harvester with rights to the Scout brand and so, Volkswagen scored the Scout.
The new Scout line comes with another difference. While it may carry all the nostalgia of an amazing off-roading brand, it will now come all-electric with a brand-new EV platform from VW. As per VW’s press release, the new electric Scout platform will focus on all the things that made it a rugged classic back in the day, with importance given to "ground clearance, approach angles, robust axles, payload capacity, and all-electric range to deliver credible capability and off-road prowess."
The best thing about the EVs from Scout Motors is that VW plans to keep them way more affordable than the current line of rugged SUVs from the likes of Rivian or Tesla. Much like the Jeep and Broncos of today, the SUVs and pickup trucks from Scout Motors may come with a vast array of accessorizing and customization options, for VW to earn the maximum, but the base vehicles will fall into the affordable range.
What Does The Revival Of Scout Motors Predict For Classic Scout Sales?
The best part of the Scout’s revival is that VW wants to carry forward as much of its original brand entity as possible, with a healthy twist for the environment. The SUVs and pickup trucks will come with considerable off-roading prowess but also have enough daily driving comfort, much like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and other pickup trucks of today. Production will start at the South Carolina plant before the end of 2026 and by 2023, Volkswagen is likely to reveal some prototypes.
The one thing that classic car lovers may take away from this is that with the revival of the brand, the prices of the International Harvester Scout are likely to go through the roof. This happened to the Bronco as well. As soon as Ford announced a revival of the iconic Bronco, prices of classic Broncos spiked as high as 400%. Plus, it seems that the online classic car market is growing by leaps and bounds, so now is the time to bid on an IH Scout, or simply hold on to the one you have, tight.
Given that the new Scouts will ride on an electric powertrain, the classic gas-powered Scouts are likely to turn into highly-prized collector’s items. For now, the value of a classic International Harvester Scout averages under $40,000. This figure seems all set to rise with the Scout’s resurgence.
Sources: Classic.Com, Volkswagen