The name International has become synonymous with tractors, trucks and, of course, the legendary Scout. Finding an International Scout for sale in good condition is becoming an increasingly challenging task. While the company itself has closed shop, leaving other companies to pick up production of its vehicles, International classics are still very much sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Surprisingly, given the impact International has had on the automotive industry, the company was originally formed for an entirely different purpose. It was not until later that the first International Scout was for sale. Farming equipment production marked the beginning of the company.

International Harvester’s roots are firmly planted in the agriculture industry. A merger between the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, the Deering Harvester Company and three other small agricultural equipment companies in 1902 birthed the International Harvester Company. International’s first product lines included several types of tractors and other farming equipment, but in 1907, with the introduction of the International Harvester wagon, history took a turn. With this move toward light trucks, International found itself competing with automotive manufacturers, including giants like Ford and, later, Jeep. Production of the light line truck ended on May 5, 1975, but, man, what a ride!

The First International Scout for sale, the Scout 80, entered the picture in 1961. The Scout was a direct competitor for the Willys Jeep and possessed many of the same features. Rugged and pared down, the Scout offered an alternative to the Jeep with its boxy body and military styling. Throughout the years, as other models were introduced, the Scout underwent a number of facelifts and changes.

In 1965, the Scout 800 took the place of the Scout 80, and the 800 continued through 1968. The International Scout 800 was designed with driver and passenger comfort in mind, and introduced features such as bucket seats, an improved heating system, and even optional back 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. Despite increases in sales, it was evident that the company wasn’t generating adequate profit to sustain itself. The company fought valiantly against a struggling economy while facing internal conflicts, but a worker’s strike in 1979 was the last straw, and International found itself in financial crisis. The strike lasted nearly six months and cost International Harvester nearly $600 million. Today that value would be closer to $2 billion. At this point, the company’s fate was inevitable. As 1981 rolled in, it was clear that the company was in serious trouble. November 1984 signaled the beginning of the end when International Harvester sold their agricultural division to Tenneco, Inc. The company sold its name and the IH symbol along with the division. You would no longer see an International Scout For sale directly from International Harvestor.

The Harvester truck and engine divisions remained in the company’s possession and in 1986 Harvester turned over a new leaf with a name change to Navistar International Corporation. The International brand name lives on today with the manufacture of school buses, engines medium trucks and heavy duty trucks.

If you are looking for an International Scout for sale, be sure to make good use of all the resources online And so the legend continues.

Tags: 4x4, auto, automotive, cars and trucks, classic trucks, restoring cars, trucks, Vehicles

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 at 4:34 AM and is filed under Vehicles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.