Although the Scout 80 was tough, sporting a stout ladder-style frame with solid axles perched on leaf springs, it sure wasn’t going to win any drag races. The only available engine was a 152 cubic inch four-cylinder, which was basically half of an International 304 cubic inch V8 engine. The so-called “4-152 Commanche” put out a thundering 93 hp until turbocharging brought that figure to 111 hp.
In 1966, International gave the SUV a refresh, dubbing it the Scout 800. Under the hood, a larger four-cylinder engine was made available, followed by a six cylinder and finally, a much-needed V8 was made optional. The Scout 800 era is really when the vehicle started to morph into what we might consider a modern SUV, moving beyond its basic utilitarian roots with such niceties as back seats, carpeting, and an improved heating and ventilation system.
The Scout was a fan favorite and far exceeded International’s sales expectations. However, there’s an old expression that says “imitation is the highest form of flattery” and before too long, Ford launched its Bronco and Chevy its Blazer, both of which bore more than a passing resemblance to International’s Scout.
[Featured image by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY 2.0]
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