1973 International Scout II - Barn Find

1973 International Harvester Scout Additional Info:

I am selling my 1973 International Scout, a classic beauty with a rugged history. This Scout was pulled out of a barn in Central Texas in 2019, where it had been used as a ranch vehicle for 25 years. It has some small dents on all four corners, likely from its time as a tractor, but the body is in excellent original shape with rust in the usual spots for Scouts. The quarters and floor pans are solid.

I began mechanically restoring this Scout in 2020, and it passed Texas inspection in 2022. Since then, it has been running and driving smoothly around Austin. With only 29,000 miles on the odometer, this Scout has plenty of life left in it.

Interior:

The interior features off-white lace upholstery, though the front bench seat has deteriorated over time. To address this, additional foam has been inserted on the driver’s side, and a festive seat cover has been added. The factory FM radio powers the speakers, but the antenna is not hooked up, so it does not receive stations. The original headliner was sagging and has been removed for safety after a piece fell and caused a distraction while driving. A piece of the headliner has been saved for replication if desired, and the dome light has been retained. The removal of the headliner revealed an insulated hard top, a rare and uncommon feature for a Scout.

Features:

• AMC 304ci V8 engine
• 727 3-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission
• Solid quarters and floorpans
• Passed Texas inspection in 2022
• Running and driving well

Restoration Details:

The engine restoration included a new starter (the reason it was dead in the barn), a Ford 2150 carburetor (the factory Holley is in the trunk), and a Petronix electronic ignition (the points were discarded). The truck now starts up immediately, runs smoothly, and gets 13-14 mpg driving around the city with the A/C blasting. The chassis restoration included a full rebuild of the Dana 30 front solid axle, new ignition switch, turn signal switch and light blinker, new headlight and taillight harnesses with new bulbs, new shock absorbers, new steering rubbers and bushings, new leaf spring shackle bushings, and a new windshield. The A/C was converted to R134a using a Vintage Air conversion kit that included a York compressor (the old one is in the trunk), a new condenser, and a switch to an orifice tube. The factory evaporator was left in the vehicle. The A/C blows cold enough to keep you cool in 109°F Austin weather.

Additional Information:

This Scout does have some rust, which is common for these vehicles. The rust is centralized on the front fenders, cowl and hardtop. The rust has not grown any in the 5 years I've had the truck. The rust does not flake off. This rust is NOT from corrosive road salts. This truck has never been exposed to corrosive road salts. The rumor is that during a strike at International in the winter months in Michigan, the bare sheet metal was left outside in the elements. When it was time to use the metal, it was just dusted off and sent to the assembly line. This history is well-known among Scout enthusiasts. This helps explain why a lifelong Texas truck has rust and why the rust behaves differently.

This Scout is perfect for anyone looking for a classic vehicle with a bit of history and character. Whether you’re a collector or just someone who appreciates vintage trucks, this Scout is sure to impress.

Contact Information:

For more details or to schedule a viewing, please contact me at 512-297-5555. This Scout has quite the story the I would prefer to relay on the phone rather than type out here.