The roots of International Harvester are mired in the agricultural industry. The merger of three small agricultural equipment manufacturers with McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and the Deering Harvester Company resulted in the birth of the International Harvester Company in 1902. 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. May 5, 1975, marked the end of the production of the light truck, but its effect on the company’s history is undeniable.

The First International Scout for sale, the Scout 80, entered the picture in 1961. Made to compete directly with the Willys Jeep, the Scout had many of the same features that the Jeep possessed. 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.

The International Scout 800 took over for the 80 in late 1965 and 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 Internationla Scout 800A came onto the scene in 1969, bringing along with it even more creature comforts, including a quieter Dana 20 transfer case, heavier rear axle, and an option for a 304 V-8. The 800B entered took the reins in 1971, but didn’t even make it through the year before it was replaced by the International Scout II.

International went on to manufacture several models of International Scout II vehicles and a variety of trucks. Despite increases in sales, it was evident that the company wasn’t generating adequate profit to sustain itself. With a struggling economy, internal problems inside the company and a worker’s strike in 1979, International plunged into financial crisis. The strike continued for almost six months, costing 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 began, it was clear that the company’s trouble was serious. In November 1984, International Harvester sold the agriculture division to Tenneco, Inc., signaling the beginning of the end. The company sold its name and the IH symbol along with the division. This would be the last time to see a International Scout for sale directly from the company.

The company retained ownership of its truck and engine divisions, and in 1986 Harvester started anew with a name change to Navistar International Corporation. Today, Navistar produces school buses, engines medium trucks and heavy duty trucks under the International brand name.

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.