1979 International Harvester Scout II Rallye Terra pickup IH convertible jeep

1979 International Harvester Scout Rallye Deluxe Additional Info:

You are looking at a no-reserve auction for a 1979 IH Scout Terra Rallye pickup. As compared with other classic 4x4s, Scouts were over-built with tough, simple and reliable drivetrains including a gear-driven transfer-case (no chain), and heavy-duty Dana 44 axles. This one features the 304 cubic inch V8, and Torquflight 727 automatic transmission (arguably the most durable auto trans ever built for cars and pickups). Being the more "sporty" Rallye package, it has the large white decals and attractive wheels for a little more flair than the standard Scouts had. It's factory "school bus yellow", and still wearing the majority of it's original paint, but it does have some areas which have been re-painted. I'm not aware that these Rallye decals were ever reproduced, and they are obviously the original stickers, as they've got some sun-cracking from being 41 years old. The Traveller model is virtually identical to the Terra, but has a long-roof SUV top. If one were to locate one of those tops... this thing could either be a pickup, or an SUV... depending on which style top you wanted to bolt on at different times of the year for different needs & purposes. The Terra pickup-cab model is more rare than the regular Scouts. This one has 67,000 miles on it, and runs/drives excellently. It's got front disc-brakes, and stops very well. Also there are 5 brand new tires just mounted. All the lights and turn-signals work, as well as the wipers, radio, heater, AND it's been fitted with a modern R-134a air-conditioning unit, which blows ice-cold! Also, a modern race-car style heavy-duty aluminum radiator was installed in favor of reliability over the original copper unit which were prone to pin-holes/leaking.
Scouts were known for rusting out, and getting saggy doors, but this one's doors close nicely, and while there IS some rust on the vehicle... it is overall very solid. I've owned a number of Scouts over the years, and this one is the most solid and original that I've seen. It spent some years down in Florida before I got it, so it's never been driven in the harsh Iowa road-salt they use heavily here in Winter. It's not a show-vehicle, but it's a nicely preserved original that you don't have to be afraid to get a chip or scratch on. It can still be used for its original intent... off-roading, and haulin' stuff in the bed, but because of it's bright colors and unique convertible pickup combination, gets CONSTANT attention everywhere I go with it. People just look at it and smile in traffic... mostly because they've likely never seen one before.
The interior is original, and I believe the seat is leather. It is very soft and comfortable, and has never been re-upholstered. It's got one little tiny spot the size of a dime where the stitching started to come loose on the top corner of the driver's side, but that is totally it. No cracks on the dash, either. I have brand new pre-molded carpet for the cab-floor that can come with the vehicle, but right now it just has rubberized bed-liner sprayed in (in case I ever get caught in the rain with the top off). It was just my philosophy that carpet belongs in cars... not necessarily convertible pickup trucks. Obviously, I removed the top for some of the pictures, but the rubber door-gaskets that go around the side-windows, windshield-frame, and sill-plates have never been cut. I just gently removed them, and they can go right back into place. So many people just cut them at the seams where the roof separates from the body, but I just couldn't bring myself to do that, because once they're cut... they leak. All the glass is good, and other rubber-seals as well.
The vehicle comes with some extra parts, but needs virtually nothing mechanically. It's very reliable and road-worthy. I'd say you could drive it anywhere on the Continent at a moment's notice. The man I bought it from drove it from Florida up to Washington recently. I've been having a blast driving all around out in the country with my kids and friends with the top removed. The 4-wheel-drive works amazingly well (I believe the rear axle is limited-slip too, as most of these trucks were). There are newer belts and hoses, and all the fluids are up and still good. I don't see any drips on the driveway of anything. No funny smells, ticks or extra noises coming from the engine or drivetrain. The transmission operates nice and firmly (no mushy shifts). The engine is nice and quiet, but has great low-end torque (which is what these were known for) it will definitely squawk these meaty tires on dry-pavement, but it's got highway-friendly ratio gears in the axles, because it cruises down the interstate, and the motor isn't screaming at high revs. I'm sure it would probably go over 100 miles per hour, if someone were so inclined. I've definitely driven it 75mph and it had more left to go. Being that it's got the aerodynamics of a block of wood, it's a bit susceptible to cross-winds at highway speeds, but the alignment is good, and it drives straight down the road.
I've owned a number of "primitive" Jeep CJs, Land Cruisers, Rovers, early Broncos, etc... but the Scout is just superior to them in many ways. It has real doors (which can still be removed if you like), a comfy seat with good ergonomics and plenty of leg room, an actual usable towing-capacity if you wanna tow a boat or something heavy, decent road-manners, speed and handling, power-steering, power-brakes...etc. Of course, it's still nothing like driving today's vehicles, but it's just a bit more refined than the other 4x4s of its day. You can still get soft-tops for these, and aftermarket-accessories, lift-kits etc... but its only original once, and this one is just so cool in its stock form.
Please be sure to scroll-down and view the 50+ photos below this description. I'm happy to take any questions people have ahead of time, if there's something I haven't adequately answered above. Thanks for looking!
By bidding on, or otherwise agreeing to purchase this vehicle, it is acknowledged that it is being sold As Is with no warranty. I've got a good, clear title for the truck in my name which I can provide a photo of for the buyer, and the vehicle is currently insured and licensed. I have a couple of phone numbers for auto-transporters if interested in a shipping quote. I can store the truck for a reasonable amount of time, as I understand those arrangements can take a little time to make happen, but I require a $500 deposit within 2 days of auction's end, and the remainder to be paid in full within 10 days (whether it's been picked up yet, or not). I welcome anyone to come view it in person, and we can go for a drive. I'd be happy to take it to any independent mechanic or body-shop in the Mason City, Iowa area if a potential buyer would like to make those arrangements at their own expense to have another set of eyes look it over before the end of the bidding, but not after the auction is over. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.