Moving Dirt

When you think of International, you likely think of tractors, trucks, and, the legendary Scout. As the years roll by, finding an International Scout for sale in good condition has become quite a challenge. Although the company closed its doors, selling the rights to the production of its vehicles to other companies, classic International vehicles are still the envy of collectors and enthusiasts. You can’t deny the impact that International Harvester has had on the automotive industry, the sturdy International trucks or even the International scouts for sale were not the first products turned out by the company. Farming equipment production marked the beginning of the company.

The roots of International Harvester are mired in the agricultural industry. The International Harvester Company was born in 1902 as the result of a merger between the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, the Deering Harvester Company, and three other small farming equipment companies. In its initial years, International focused its efforts on tractors and other farming equipment, but in 1907 the International Harvester wagon was introduced. This move to manufacture light trucks brought International into the ring with other automotive manufacturers, taking them head to head with auto greats like Ford and eventually Jeep. Production of the light line truck ended on May 5, 1975, but, man, what a ride!

The International Scout entered the picture in 1961 with the introduction of the First International Scout for sale… the Scout 80. The Scout was a direct competitor for the Willys Jeep and possessed many of the same features. The International Scout offered a rugged, pared down alternative to the boxy body and military styling of the Jeep. The Scout would see many changes over the years as new models were introduced.

The International Scout 800 took the 80’s place in late 1965, continuing through 1968. The 800 was designed to offer more creature comforts such as bucket seats, better heating systems and even optional rear seats. The International Scout 800A was introduced in 1969 and improved upon its predecessor by offering a quieter Dana 20 transfer case, a heavier rear axle and an optional 304 V-8. In 1971, the 800B came onto the market, but was replaced within the year with the International Scout II.

International continued to introduce several International Scout II models, as well as a variety of trucks. Unfortunately, though, even increases in sales couldn’t help the fact that the company wasn’t able to generate a sustainable profit. With a struggling economy, internal problems inside the company and a worker’s strike in 1979, International plunged into financial crisis. The strike lasted nearly six months and cost International Harvester nearly $600 million. In today’s dollars, that would be a loss of closer to $2 billion. The company’s downward trajectory was set. As 1981 dawned, it was evident that the company’s problems were serious. In November 1984, International Harvester sold the agriculture division to Tenneco, Inc., signaling the beginning of the end. In addition to the agriculture division, International Harvester also sold its name and the IH symbol. This would be the last time to see a International Scout for sale directly from the company.

The company did retain the Harvester truck and engine divisions, and in 1986 Harvester was reincarnated as Navistar International Corporation. Today, Navistar produces school buses, engines medium trucks and heavy duty trucks under the International brand name.

Finding an International Scout for sale today, has become a little easier thanks to all the great resources online. The legend continues.

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