HomePick of the DayTrail-ready 1979 International Scout II

Trail-ready 1979 International Scout II

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Over the past few years, collectors have been buying classic 4X4 trucks and SUVs, such as Toyota FJ Land Cruisers and first-generation Ford Broncos, as fast as they hit the auction block. This trend has turned these trucks into collector cars that regularly change hands for as much as $70,000.

But there are still classic 4X4s available for less than half that amount, a great example of which is the Pick of the Day, a 1979 International Scout II advertised on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Hartland, Maine.

The Scout has a mild lift and period-correct oversize tires

The Scout is often overlooked by collectors, mainly because good examples are hard to find due to their propensity to rust badly and return to the earth. Things have changed as values rise, and more of these serious off-roaders are being restored and brought back to their former glory.

This second-generation Scout is powered by a 304 cid V8 with a 4-speed manual gearbox. The car received a great respray in its original Tahitian Red Metallic, according to the seller, and has the correct russet-hued vinyl/nylon plaid bucket seats.

The truck was professionally reconditioned in 2015, the ad says, when it received a new windshield, the paint job, a 2-inch lift and 31-inch tires on Mickey Thompson rims, which are period correct for this-era 4X4. The truck also includes a tasteful custom stereo and soft top.

The view from the back seat

The seller saved the original radio, hubcaps, tires and rims, which would be included in the sale. As an added bonus, this Scout II is one of the few that left the factory with AC installed, although it has been disconnected but is complete.

The Scout IIs were serious off road vehicles of their time, winning the Baja 1000 as well as the off-road world Championship in 1977, and the Baja 1000 again in 1978. If that was not enough off-road cred, the Scout II in 1982 won virtually every off-road championship race including the Baja 250, the Baja 500, the Baja 1000, the Mint 400 and the Parker (Arizona) 400.

This history is becoming more and more known, and if there was ever a time to buy, it is now, before everyone else catches on. The asking price of this nice truck is only $28,200 and could represent one of the few great buys on a vintage 4X4.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andy Reid's first car, purchased at age 15, was a 1968 Fiat 124 coupe. His second, obtained by spending his college savings fund, was a 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Since then, he has owned more than 150 cars—none of them normal or reasonable—as well as numerous classic motorcycles and scooters. A veteran of film, television, advertising and helping to launch a few Internet-based companies, Reid was a columnist for Classic Motorsports magazine for 12 years and has written for several other publications. He is considered an expert in European sports and luxury cars and is a respected concours judge. He lives in Canton, Connecticut.

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