1977 International Scout II 4x4

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, and enough utility to make it earn its keep? Then what you want is this 1977 International Scout II 4x4, a high-visibility off-roader with a lot of recent work and an unusual look.

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. There are design elements here that the others have copied over the years, most notably the lift-off roof that transforms it from weather-tight winter fighter to open-air dune jumper in a matter of minutes. The bright orange paint is recent 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. The white Rally stripes give it an awesome '70s look that's still fashionable today. Panel gaps are surprisingly good, the paint shines up quite well, and we have to say that everyone seems to admire this bright orange 4x4 when they see it in the showroom. There's a remarkable lack of identification, but everyone knows the Scout, especially with the big winch up front, flanked by a set of off-road lights. There's also a heavy-duty hitch up front so you can put this Scout to work; with V8 power, it's surprisingly capable.

You'd expect a basic interior, but you'd be mistaken here. 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 was upholstered to match and the carpets are gone, replaced by spray-in bedliner material that will last practically forever. A custom center console fits between the front seats, offering a pair of cup holders and some secure storage, while the dash and steering wheel are original-issue. Remarkably, that's a tilt steering column and the original dash is fitted with a diamond plate fascia that also holds an array of auxiliary gauges. The 4-speed 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 good-sized cargo bay that includes a full-sized spare, and as we mentioned, the hardtop unbolts and lifts off for the full convertible experience.

The Scout uses a rugged 304 cubic inch V8 equipped with a fresh 2-barrel carburetor and tuned for torque. There's a lot of new equipment under the hood, including tune-up parts, wiring, hoses, a new alternator, and a fresh dual master cylinder, 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 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 4-speed shifts well and it feels plenty punchy around town, almost like a muscle car. The underside is surprisingly clean, covered in satin black paint that doesn't look like it's seen much off-road use, and those big 31x10.50-15 off-road radials look great protecting a set of polished aluminum wheels.

With nice paint and a great interior, this V8 Scout is ready to enjoy, whatever that means to you. If you prefer to color a bit outside the lines, this off-roader will be a great choice. Call today!