The Scout was made at the Fort Wayne, Indiana plant and my Dad was transferred from the Springfield, Ohio plant to set up the assembly line design and for timing all the piece work jobs. I graduated from high school and spent the summer of 1961 actually working on a Scout sub-assembly line where I was responsible for spot welding the front fenders and the grill. My work schedule was from 3:30 PM to Midnight and I made up to $2.99 per hour. It was a tough job but gave me incentive to go on to college at Ohio State to eventually become an accountant and then work at various International Harvester locations for the next 17 years. I loved driving the Scout on business trips. Good memories.

1946 Willys Wagon has the title of the original SUV if you require 4 wheel drive, if not, the 1935 Chevy Suburban does.

I’m a Scout fan; my brother still owns 2 different Scout IIs; however the Willys wagons; and the Jeepsters pre date the IHs by at least a decade.

Out of the hundred cars I have owned, my ‘63 Scout was by far the most fun. Lay down the windshield, top off, doors off, it was a blast, and that little pickup bed carried everything we needed. The slant 4 had plenty of power, and was easier to use in rough terrain than a V-8. The distributor cap with 4 blanked off posts was engineering genius.

I miss the Scout. Back in the day I was always gone camping, fishing and hunting. I've had Jeeps (CJ5) and they were great but very small I've had a Chevy Blazer (Very disappointing) but the Scout II (304 V8) was just down right fantastic ! My needs changed (Marriage, kids etc.) building a house, I needed a pick up and still have today. Sad day when Scout left the scene. Great video ! It would be a welcome sight if VW came back with a new Scout, as long as it's not an EV.

I loved my 1960 Willys Station Wagon. A model that Willys started producing in 1947. The first real SUV

The Willy's wagon was long before the Scout. First offered 1946

Grew up in a scout. As a baby I rode in a cardboard box on the floorboard. No seat belts. Learned to drive in it. Drove it all through highschool with the top off, windshield down, and a pair of ski goggles. Great at the drive in with a load of friends on the square, steel, "seat"/fenders in the back. No seat belt vehicles were grand-fathered for a time. It was a late 65 80 series, dad always wished he'daybe waited for the bucket seats and " other half" of the engine to be available as the V8. IH aimed for something better than the jeep, and they scored big time. It was in the family till around 90 something when dad got rear ended early in the morning. No one was hurt. He let it go for $500.

Now with it being electric, the U in SUV can stand for useless. Anyway I think it's so cool that the biggest segments in the market today, SUV's and crossovers, were invented by small players in the market--International Harvester and AMC, respectively (AMC with the Eagle).

I learned to drive in a 68 Scout 800. I was 8 yrs old. We had it until the early 90s. It was a snow plowing beast. The wipers, heater and radio were challenges 😮. I miss that old boy. Was a hell of a machine

Love it! Your take at the end with VW owning the rights to the Scout and finding out it’s electric and swiftly dismissing it is truly awesome. As a fan of the internal combustion engine I applaud you sir!

A friend of mine had an Austin Champ 4x4(the British jeep). We would drive it off-road in the California mountains and deserts. It had some innovative features.

I owned two scouts. A '68 800 and a '69 800A. They were both V-8's. The 800A was a three speed non-synchro first gear, and the 800 was a 4 speed with a rare overdrive unit. The downfall was that they were rust buckets. They were rusting away even out of the factory. If IH would have paid attention to corrosion resistance, they would have been on top of the 4WD heap. You could park them in your garage and sit there and listen to them rust away. I eventually junked both. The main body mounts rotted away, and IH didn't offer replacement mounts. Shame. I loved those Scouts.

In the late 40's Jeep sold the Overland wagon. In my opinion the first SUV not the Bronco or Scout that came much later.

My dad owned two Scouts. A '71 800B and a '76 Traveller. Both were custom ordered right hand drive since my dad was a rural postal carrier and needed then to deliver mail in the hilltowns. I actually learned how to drive on the RHD Traveller when I was 16.

My dad drove an international scout while Vietnam, 1966-1968. He swore by it. I asked him about the ford bronco one time being we were a ford family (pickup and cars) and he said all the bronco’s were good for in Vietnam was leaving you stranded. They just wouldn’t go where the scouts would, and if they weren’t getting stuck, they were breaking down. On the other hand, after his time in Vietnam was up, we went to Indonesia for three years and USAID ordered international travel alls for them to drive there, and they were junk piles when they came in so they all ended up with Toyotas similar to jeeps with hard tops. They were fantastic, go anywhere and everywhere although slowly. They weren’t speed demons, but they were tougher than woodpecker lips. If I was rich, I would try to find one of them and restore it. I would paint it green with the very top being white, like that one was

My dad owned 3 farms and bought one in 1963 so he used it to get around on the farms. What I remember most about it was that the windshield wipers were powered by air pressure, so that when you stopped at a stop light or anytime the engine was at idle, they would almost stop working and they sounded like the sucking machine at the dentist's office.

I always loved the Scout 80 --- nearly bought one once, but passed, because I was unsure about taking it to a crowded urban environment where I wouldn't have parking. Still, they have a utilitarian, pugnacious charm that I really like. Thanks for this video! I am curious to see the VW reboot, too!

I love my scout II! it has been in the family since the late 70s. Over 200,000 miles on the original 345 V8. Only bad thing about it was if you just mentioned the word “moisture” around it ,it just started rotting away.

This is only the 3rd video I've seen from this channel and it is already better than 90% of the others out there! No politics or agenda, a video just about cars.

The first SUV wasn’t the Ford Bronco, it was the Willys Wagon. The IH Scout came along 10 years later, and faded from the scene rather quickly.

In the mid 70’s we had a 1972-‘73 International Travelall. Amazing SUV. Didn’t really need 4-wheel drive in the winter as ours did not have it and did fine without it.

I may be misremembering, but I don't recall ever hearing the term "SUV" at any point prior to the early 90s. I grew up rural. My best friend in high school had a 2nd gen, and then later, a 3rd gen Bronco (locking wheel caps! his second had a working winch!). Other friends or their families had blazers or jeeps. We called them 4WDs or by their brand name. I don't recall connecting them mentally with the gigantic Suburban.

My dad had a Scout growing up. Going to the dunes to offroad, having the top off down the highway, it was great.

I still have My 1968 Scout, it has the 266 V-8 and it's a Tank! I had it registered as a SUV back in the 80's!

I owned a 1978 Corn Binder with the 345 V8. IH was waay before its time. Had they hung in there and adapt with the SUV evolution, the Scout could have saved the company I believe. Ironically, the design of todays SUVs (Broncos, LR Defender, etc.) is trending that way.

Friend in college had one. Always wanted a Scout. Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed day.

Keep making videos like this. I love this kind of content. You do a great job at it.

Such a beautiful video buddy, Thanks for sharing knowledge and passion with people like yourself.

That little 152CI four banger was a beast of an engine....Nothing stopped it. I had a 66 Scout with the 152 and it couldn't be stopped. Many trips up river with it and blasting through the wicked Erie, PA winters was always a hoot. A number of high school buddies would call me in the winter time for a tow from a ditch or deep snow somewhere. I'd love to have another Scout now but I can't afford the prices they are commanding.

i had more adventures in my 65 scout than you can imagine. never left me stranded or got stuck

My most loved vehicle I ever owned was my 1978 Scout, 2 door, steel top, automatic with the 345cid V8. There was no shortage of fun & adventures plus there was always a long list of friends wanting to get to enjoy the good times too!🇺🇸 My MoM had a 74 Travelall 4-dr, 2wd with the 304cid V8 when I was a preteen, lots a traveling with lots of room meant lots of fun!🇺🇸

It was the Willys Wagon. Btw I was a Scout owner for over 20 years and when I mention the Willy's people always go "oh ya"

I miss International Harvester, set many standards. I wanted a Scout in high school. However, I could find it’s twin for parts.

I have seen at least a hundred of these old Scouts (not anymore, of course), but right now I'm remembering a particular one. Back in aboiut 1976 - 1977 I knew a guy who had one of these older Scouts, and I thought it had a homemade, raised roof. It looked like a professional tinsmith had done an alteration to provide more headroom. All these years later, THERE IT IS, the yellow Scout in the magazine ad at 7:19 in this video! The roof of the Scout I remember was bare galvanized sheet metal, not painted white, but that's the exact roof that it had.

My parents always talked fondly of riding in their friend's Scout when they visited him out in Utah. The Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol from that time period were awesome too.

I had a 62 scout for my first truck. It was gutless with a 4 cylinder and broke down a lot. It helped me learn how to work on cars,

If you think the Scout was comfortable you obviously never driven or ridden in one. I bought a '63 Scout back in 1975 as my first 4x4. The thing rode like a tank and rattled your teeth out over bumps. I loved it though and would like to have another one now but they have gone crazy in pricing.

What a great story. My ‘68 Scout 800 was my first ride. That I was able to ‘go off road in’ was only topped by how much ‘gearhead’ work I had to do! Some joked that I needed a pilot’s license for the airtime - but I didn’t care. The Dana drive was awesome and plowing snow helped put me through college! BTW - profs to the MG comment when describing early history - That profile picture was taken with my B refurb and 100% agree on the ‘race engines’ in the old LBCs!

I was 21 in 1984 Had a Scout II ,sleeping bag, cooler, couple pillows. Loved that SCOUT.

When I was a child in the 1970s my family used a Scout and a Jeep CJ to deer hunt. I still have the Jeep…..

A simple, no frills car like the Scout would be my dream car of today.

My son's step son now has his grandfather's 70s diesel Scout with a removable hardtop. It is a cutie.

I love you. I owned a 79 scout traveler. I bought it used for $200.00. I loved that car and wish I had kept it. It was my weekend war wagon! At the time I was a working musician and that truck could haul P.A., Gear and Instruments to any gig and parked behind the stage made a perfect place to camp/sleep in. When I heard Volkswagen was going to bring scout back I was sooooooo excited, until I saw they were electric. NOOOOOO!!!! I have Blazers now, an 02 and 03 and they are falling apart. I can't find a new "SUV" to buy that isn't some over-glorified, middle aged, soccer mom, cross over with 1000 options that I don't need. And, WHERE'S THE TAILGATE??? I can't stand hatchbacks, everything falls out as the hatch hits you in the chin. I'm so angry. I want to open my own car company and make practical affordable cars that everyone can afford....(seems I've heard that somewhere before...) I would probably make the whole s10 line-up, Truck, Blazer, ASTRO Van. These vehicles did the WORK. I don't need a 5000.00 entertainment system in the back seat of the car for my child to be occupied for the 10 minute ride to school and back. I need a car that hauls gear, can leave the road, can be slept in, hauls a trailer, isn't ruined by pet hair, can survive spills and water where it's not supposed to go, doesn't slide on ice and eats through snow. Where is THAT car? Sorry about my rant. Thanks for doing this video. I just found your channel and I'm going to watch all your videos now.

I'm happy to see you expanding into the 4-wheeled world Bart :)

At the Auburn,Cord Duesenberg museum in Auburn, Indiana they have a Scout prototype made with a composite body. Auburn is 30 miles north of Fort Wayne where they built all the Scouts.

I appreciate your perspective and your research. It’s no easy task to cover decades of development in a field of special interest without generating one resounding clank after another as errors or misinterpretations pile up. Aside from kudos for that job well done, it would be interesting to know how you source all that video from KZfaq and elsewhere. Are clearances from each rights owner needed?

Great video!! I own a 1969 Scout 800, the third IHC Scout I have owned. I love them!!!

You omitted any mention of the Willys Overland, introduced in 1946, only showed a brief image of one. Other than the versatile roof system, the WO ticked every box the Scout did and evolved to be Wagoneer and Cherokee.

If you see the Suzuki Jimny still follows this concept of SUV like the International . It’s small , rugged , performs pretty decent on the off-road .It is only 105 bhp but does the job job.

I learned to drive in a ‘73 scout. 444 4 barrel. Only design flaw was the distributor cap frequently cracked, water intrusion, stalling. Otherwise a great vehicle.

Great video! You got a new subscriber here after watching it. You really got my hopes up about IH Scouts coming back then...BooM... I got that stomach wretching feeling when I heard those horrible, unsustainable words, as an EV! I will never own an EV, even an IH‼️

We had a 1966 Scout and it would go anywhere that you pointed it. It had Dana 44’s and a locker in the rear. Ours had the 4 speed with a non synchronized 1st gear which was a major improvement over the 3 speed. The real negative is that they were rust magnets

The fact is the scout became the Traveler Station Wagon. Usually the travelers were only used off-road, when the driver had too much to drink and fell asleep.

Love it ! got a Red Carpet edition long waiting to get back on the front burner and eventually back on the road.

I have a 2004 Suzuki Jimny (think Suzuki Samurai). I think the I4 engine makes 80hp. But it is short and cute and never fails to put a giant grin on my face. The Jimny is at my home in Italy. Stateside I drive a Chevy Express van. I cannot wait until I’m behind the wheel of the Jimny again. Only about 2 weeks to go. It’s also wonderful to raise the hood and be able to easily see the entire engine, fender wells, firewall, etc. There are some computers and fuel injection, but it’s still DIY serviceable.

Excellent synopsis. Lots of lore to cover in the Scout world. Great footage from the old ads, fun to see. It might have survived much longer in the IH lineup if not for their reputation for rusting in the showroom.

I learned to drive with a 1959 IH Scout. It was a pure utility vehicle. Direct sales competitors at that time were the Toyota Land Cruiser and the British Land Rover. Here in Michigan at that time it was known as being a utility vehicle most often owned by Gasoline Service Stations and others who the owner would use for a Snow Plowing business as a sideline. The little 4-cyl. engine offered enough torque to do what was asked of it. a bare bones machine design that said all work. Later, it seems the Ford Bronco took over that part of the market. A great video!

the willys wagon was the first SUV. Introduced in 1946 2 yrs before the scout was conceived. I have ridden in both stock rigs. I prefer the willys, but the scout went on for longer. I drive a 2 door 94 XJ cherokee very much like the scout but newer and more powerful Better creature comforts too( softer seats than my buddys 1980 scout II ) The ability to remove the top made the scout cool.

Hilariously, the Swiss automaker Monteverdi converted these into luxury models, called the Safari. You could even get a Chrysler 440 in one.

It was called a WILLYS…. In the 40s

Up to 1988 our family had multiple scouts used as snow plowers for our driveway, like one per 2 yrs since they rusted so fast 😂

The Scout and Bronco were refreshingly primitive in the over-styled 60's and 70's. Both about the same off-road, with the tires making the biggest difference, tested on the Capt. Cook Monument Road in Kona, HI.I imagine the Willys" Wagon was in the same league, but with an extra cool factor, with gauges apparently from a steam engine. Toyota Land Cruisers were getting popular. Land Rovers and Dodge Power Wagons were in the mix in the 1970's.

I had an old 1963 Scout way back in the 1970s. It was fantastic off road. I mean, really, really good.

I thought about mentioning the Jeep Station wagon or the Chevrolet Suburban and how they pre-date the IH Scout but many people have already pointed out the errors in this video.

This is one of only two vehicles that I truly wish to own.

In the mid 1970's, my school metal workshop did a total rebuild of an International Scout 4x4. It was done by the senior students with the understanding it would remain school property. (It was a private Catholic school) This unit was employed for exploration trips during school camps. Was great because of its 4x4 capability and could take up to 6 students on overland runs. I lived in Darwin, Australia at that time and saw a lot of wild country from that little pickup truck.

As a proud owner of a GMC Terrain, I wish i had a use for it's 4WD besides the soon-to-be uncommon snow storm. And with the lack of trails near me, its just kinda a tall hatch-back. With less MPG...

The Scout was one of the best true 4x4s ever. The first 4 cylinder ones were underpowered imo but since they were meant for off-road no big deal

Bart: International Travelall was an interesting vehicle that deserves an episode. Ansel Adams had a few over the years, and had custom aluminum platforms installed on top for photography. His famous "Moonrise over Hernandez" photo was taken from the top of an IH Travelall. Also, you could go into IH history some: where were the Travelalls & Scouts built?

Sorry, the Scout wasn't the first "SUV" either. The concept of a large capacity enclosed body vehicle with 4x4 off road capability was the 1946 Willys Wagon. Also two door all metal body but a bit larger than the Scout or Bronco. By the time the Scout rolled off the assembly line the Willys Wagon had been on the road for 15 years and it had much more room. It gave way to the Jeep Wagoneer in 1965 which offered more comfort. The Scout was even preceded by it's IH cousin the Travelall which had 8 years on it. I don't believe the Travelall had a 4 wheel drive option. Of course all of these vehicles were preceded by the Chevrolet Suburban which was first offered in 1935 and also has the honor of the longest model name of any American vehicle. Initially in use as a utility crew vehicle it later came into wider use. Not sure if it was ever used for Sport in the 30's but it was certainly a utility vehicle.

I have a 61 scout with a 3 digit serial number. Love it..

Today's SUV's are used in the same way station wagons were used in their day. As you mentioned, it's the mom who drives to the food store or drives the children to their extracurricular activities. Most of these vehicles are never driven off-road. I venture to say a lot of SUV's are probably not very off-road capable. If I had the money, I'd buy the manufacturing rights of Jeep and produce the original MB, upgrade them to meet federal regulations with better materials, tech., and some optional amenities. I bet that I wouldn't be able to make them fast enough to meet the demand.

Some of the video of Scouts driving off road have Victorian number plates and are right hand drive. Even passing a Holden on the left hand side of the highway. International also produced trucks in Australia, including for the Army which were used in Vietnam.

Did wonder why IH looked into the B-Series and not the Austin D-Series (also BS1 for early 4-cylinder), which is funny considering the loose Austin-roots of the original Jeep though it did power some versions of the Austin Champ and Austin Gipsy. In any case the B-Series was capable of growing to 2-litres and the Australians developed it into the Blue Streak inline-6, which together with their own diesels was also used by Perkins to create their 4.99 and 4.108 diesels.

Our Scout got its wheels trapped in the rocks in a mine dump. The rod twisted like a pretzel but the engine would not stall. Good or bad, I don't know, but it was impressive. Terrible rust, though, and loud.

I owned 2 of the Scout 80. Served me well.

i think you have a misunderstanding of what an suv even is. the sport in suv isn't offroad ability that falls in the utility category. the sport was performance and comfort, it was a sporty comfortable vehicle that could rival a car but still had the utility to go offroad, carry gear and do work

I have and drive a 68. Daily with another car. But I love driving this.

My next door neighbor had a 1968 Jeepster Commando Hardtop in the 1960's

My dad was a big fan of scout especially the diesel version with the Chrysler nissan diesel engine we overhauled at least two of those in my lifetime i have a space in my ear reserved for the sound of those engines even 30 years later inspired by this after graduation (2000)the first car I bought (myself) was a 1977 international traveler that belonged to the gates oil company it had the 345v8 with a auto 4 speed, dual exhaust, 4wd, factory a/c, towbar, cc, clock, and awsome bench seats with plad interior, baby blue body with white top. I drove the dirt and the rust out of it never took it off road but it was just as fun on it I could make any repair to that especially as a teenager. What became of it is I joined the service and she sat eventually getting very rusty I ended up selling it to a collector whom got it running again and drives it today

i always thought it was the Willys Jeep station wagon built in 1946

You didn’t mention the mid to late 1970’s Scout with the Chrysler-Nissan inline six cylinder diesel. A friend had one ( I think 1977 model) that would get 32-35 mpg because of its high rear end ratio but no towing power. He changed the ring gears and pinion (front and rear of course) which made it much more useful with some sacrifice in fuel mileage. I don’t remember what ratio the new gears were. I have a 1971 Jeepster Commando 4x4 with the odd firing 225 Buick cast iron V6. Definitely bigger with more room than a CJ-5. Not sure how it compares to a CJ-6. Front bucket seats with removable rear bench seat and small cargo space behind. Seated four or five in a pinch. Best with the rear seat removed for hauling camping gear etc. It was available as a half cab pickup, station wagon (both changeable from one to the other) and a convertible top. It was also available with a 4 cylinder inline ohv or 327 V8. It would do anything a scout would do. AMC ruined it with the wide white grill trying to make it look more like a Blazer when they took over in 1972. Before that it was all Kaiser Jeep design with the front half that still looked like the M38 military jeep.

I had a 69 Scout 800-A with a 304 V8 a 3spd and a travel top. Our next door neighbor owned the AMC/ IH dealer. Sorry I sold it.

The term " Sport Utility " was already used post WW II by Small Car maker CROSLEY - of Crosley Radio and Refrigerators Fame ! - - Oh - and the OG Range Rover was just Honda CRV Size !!

I own a 1964 International Scout with the 196 cubic inch slant 4 producing 94 horsepower. It's geared so low that 55 is it's absolute top speed but it's a true All Wheel Drive and it'll go anywhere I want to go just not very fast. The body is built like a tank and it laugh's at door dingers . Mine is the safari model

I drove jeeps and international scout during that Era,no fancy power windows,no luxuries ! You didn't need it! You needed reliable transportation was the main objective!

I had a '74 Scout II I resurrected from the dead in the late 80's/early 90's. That thing was a tank- 304 V8 and I did a spring over axle swap to fit 36" Super Swampers under it. I had so much fun with that truck but alas, the rust monster finally had it's way with it. I think it did snowplow service somewhere as it still had the brackets up front and the rockers/floors were rotted out when I first got it. I patched it all but another 10 years playing in the mud was more than I wanted to redo (again) so I sold it. Dumbass.😅

Many comments here state that the 1946 Willys station wagon was the first 4WD SUV. 1949 was actually the first year the Willys station wagon was available with 4WD.

Go back to 1947 for the "first" SUV, the Kaiser Willys GLADIATOR!!! It was a four-door three seat (5 REAL ADULTS) Willys with a Continental I-6 displacing 268 CID Flathead and three-speed manual tranny, actually based on the Dodge "Staff Car" of WWII. Both 2WD and 4WD versions were made, but the 4WD versions were mechanically governed to 55MPH for "safety", as they were a danger to drive above 45 MPH just like WWII GPV's or "Jeeps" due to oversteer. A huge number were a medium metallic (sorta) green with tan fabric/metal tops. I believe in 1950, Willys made the mostly steel "Woodie" body-style with an all-steel "safety roof". My late uncle had one when I got into the World and drove it into the mid-1960's when parts became unavailable. It rode horribly, was noisy, wind got in EVERYWHERE, the "heater" was a bad joke, but they were nearly impossible to hurt.

All or most the B&W Footage seems to be mid to late 60's Australian Marketing Material. Goodness knows where you found that 😁

I owned 4 different Scouts when I was younger..wished I still had one..Like the Bronco, they were rust prone, but they were tough as nails!..both the International 266/304/345/392 V8's and the 152/196 slant 4's derived from them were bulletproof. One thing about all the ones I had, though, is ALL of them had terrible brakes..not sure why. And no, it wasn't because they were drum brakes. I had/have many other vehicles that had drum brakes, and none of them were as bad as the Scouts..never had much "pedal", you had to stand on them if you had to stop fairly quickly..and that was with new shoes, rebuilt master cylinder, etc. Like I said, ALL my Scouts were like this...

I liked the Australian "Scout" overtaking the ek Holden at 5.48.

One of the big problem with the Scout 2 was it rusted BAD

Nice video. I don't get the emphasis on the Bronco like it was late to the party. Bronco debuted in 66 Blazer in 69.

It's because no one I've known ever wanted to be caught owning or driving a mini van. SUV were made for the cool peeps.

I had a lovely little '72 Scout 2WD, 304 V-8, 3spd manual. My BIL had installed a tube roll bar in the back, so when I took off the top, I had Mom sew up a bikini top out of denim for me. I gave so many girls rides in that thing (and vice-versa) it was great. It was a superior mode of transport in So Cal, for sure.

No, it is generally accepted that the first vehicle built to carry people & was 4X4 was the Chevy Suburban carry-all introduced in 1935. An SUV has to be a family vehicle. The IH Scout was built for sportsmen & farmers as was the Jeep before it as was the first gen Ford Bronco. The term SUV was invented by JEEP in 1984 and applied to their new segment creating Jeep Cherokee. !

THE FIRST SUV WAS THE 1946 WILLYS WAGON... NOT THE SCOUT

i think the blazer could still exist without the scout since the napco 4x4 converted suburban existed before the scout