The retro SUV has found a new rhythm in the last few years, having been ultra-popular in the mid to late 20th century. While the venerable Jeep Wrangler enjoyed the market for itself for multiple decades, Ford resurrected its legendary Bronco in 2021, and Volkswagen is bringing back the historic Scout name in 2027 for a selection of electric models. Back in the day, you had the choice of the original Bronco and Wrangler, as well as Chevrolet’s Blazer.

The Scout, built by International Harvester, was the somewhat left-field choice. Like its rivals, it was designed to excel off-road, but not be completely useless on the road. Given that the upcoming Scout models will all feature EV powertrains, this is how much you’ll have to spend to get the last ICE-powered Scout these days.

International Harvester Tended To Focus On Producing Machinery

Having first started trading in 1902, International Harvester was one of the earliest US auto manufacturers on the scene, the marque first focusing on offering light and heavy-duty trucks. It made good money doing so during the first 40 years of its history, though it decided to branch out into the domestic vehicle sector in the early 1950s with the Travelall, a woody-style station wagon. Having enjoyed some success with the model, it then cooked up the idea of designing and selling a rival to the Jeep CJ, the descendant of the all-conquering Willys Jeep that proved so successful during World War II.

Feeling the Jeep was a little too utilitarian to excel as an effective road vehicle, International Harvester spied an opportunity to offer a rugged off-road SUV, but one that could also work decently on normal roads.

The Scout Proved To Be A Blueprint For Future Models

The resulting model, the Scout, made its debut in 1960. Like the Jeep, it featured a simple, angular body made of cost-effective sheet metal. It looked less functional than the Jeep, and thus arguably more stylish, though it was still an effective off-roader. The Scout proved to be a hit, leading to rivals like the Bronco and Blazer to turn up soon after, while even the CJ and its Wrangler successor were developed to become more agreeable on-road to deal with its new competition.

The Scout was continually developed until 1980, when it was killed off as International Harvester ran into financial problems.

The Final Scout Came In Several Different Flavors

If getting a Scout on your driveway sounds appealing, the final 1980 model is arguably the one to go for, given it’s the most modern and well-developed of the lot. While this piece will focus on the traditional Scout SUV bodystyle, you could also have the model in Terra or Traveler forms. While the former took the shape of a small pickup truck, the latter came with a longer passenger compartment to give it the silhouette of a high-riding station wagon, essentially making it an earlier version of models like the Subaru Outback.

The standard Scout II SUV came with the option of rear or four-wheel drive, though the vast majority were ordered with the latter, given the vehicle was primarily geared towards off-road use. As a result, the system utilized a two-speed transfer case to deal with a greater range of terrain, while optional automatic locking hubs were available to ensure you didn’t have to exit the vehicle to prepare it for a change of conditions. The Scout was also built upon a tough steel box frame chassis, which could take a proper beating. It also got front disc brakes as standard, ensuring you could get the thing stopped more effectively if that ravine was a little steeper than you first thought.

Like the Jeep CJ, the Scout was designed with a short nose over the front axle to reduce the chances of bottoming out, while its 100-inch wheelbase ensured it was maneuverable in dodgy situations. Alongside this, the Scout boasted 7.6 inches of ground clearance, which further reduced the chances of getting stuck on a pesky log or boulder.

A Wide Range Of Powerplants Were Available

The 1980 Scout could be had with four different engine options, depending on what you needed. The least powerful of the lot was a 3.2-liter inline-four, while a pair of V8s were also on the menu, with these coming in 5.0-liter and 5.4-liter forms. The smaller V8 produced 140 hp, and the latter waded into battle with 163 hp. For those looking to achieve better fuel mileage, a 3.2-liter turbodiesel inline-six engine could also be chosen. These units were mated to transmissions ranging from three or four-speed manuals, to a three-speed automatic gearbox.

Tidy Scouts Are Worth A Fair Amount In 2025

If all this makes you want a Scout in your life, then you’d better be prepared to part ways with a good chunk of your savings. According to Hagerty’s Valuation Tool, even an entry-level four-pot Scout will cost just shy of $26k in good condition, with mint examples being worth as much as $70,000. Unsurprisingly, the most valuable specimens are Scouts with V8s under the hood, with good condition examples of the more powerful 5.4-liter version being valued at around $33k in good condition, and well north of $80,000 in concours shape.

The turbodiesel-equipped Scout sits somewhat in the middle, with good condition versions worth around $27k, with mint vehicles demanding around $73k from your wallet. Good vehicles that need a bit of work can be had for a decent price, such as a turbodiesel version with a rolled odometer, sold through Bring a Trailer. It looked a little tired inside and out, but would likely look great with a bit of TLC, even if the total mileage was unknown. This particular Scout attracted $19,500 when it was sold in May 2025. A tidier example was sold through BAT in November 2024, this one having covered 74k miles and packing a 5.0-liter V8 under the hood. Offered with useful options like a retrofitted air conditioning setup, the clean-titled vehicle fetched $38,500 when it went under the hammer.

Drivers Wanting A Modern Scout Are In Luck

While the original Scout exudes charm, the classic SUV will likely prove a little too old for many. Fortunately, German powerhouse Volkswagen has your back, as it has resurrected the Scout name from the dead. In 2027, the newly-created Scout brand will offer two different models, the Traveler SUV and Terra truck. Both feature design cues inspired by the OG Scout, such as the dual-piece grille and angular rear windows. Both vehicles are designed to boss off-road trails and normal roads, and will fight it out against their historic Bronco and Wrangler rivals in the retro off-road SUV sector.

The Modern Scout Won’t Run On Traditional Engines

The key difference between the new 2027 Scout models and their forerunner is that they will use dual-motor electric powertrains to attack Mother Nature, rather than traditional ICEs. Both vehicles will have their motors shared between the front and rear axles to provide 4WD, while mechanical locking front and rear differentials will also come as part of the package. Peak power levels haven’t yet been revealed by Scout, though it’s expected they’ll be able to run for around 350 miles on a single charge. For those wanting extra distance, versions with a VW range-extending engine will also be offered.

The powerplant won’t affect performance in any way, but will simply act as an onboard generator to boost the Traveler and Terra’s peak range to around 500 miles. Given the modern tech packed into the vehicles, you’ll have to expect to shell out around $60k to have one, likely making the older Scout a cheaper deal. Either way, it’s great to have the choice.

Sources: Hagerty Valuation Tool, International Harvester, Scout.