The “International” part of “International Harvester” is not just there for kicks. The company sold their wares all over the globe and continues to today. Maybe some of you are unaware that the International Scout, the company’s awesome Jeep fighter was sold not only in the USA but in places like Australia, where the below shown ad was made.
The Scout was truly the first “sport utility vehicle”. It was designed as a practical and recreational four wheel drive vehicle for people to use in both work and play. In some ways it was the “side by side” of its day. Small in stature but long in Yankee toughness, the first Scouts were sold in 1961 and the basic nature of the Scout was a part of the American automotive landscape until 1980. As the styling changed very, very little over the years, we’re not sure when this ad was made but we are going to guess that it was the earlier half of the 1960s. With talk of an engine that makes about 80hp and the footage of the thing slogging through streams, bashing up muddy banks, and blasting by slower traffic, the little Scout looks downright heroic.
Today these early Scouts command top dollar in good condition and they are not easy to find. That’s in the USA, we have no idea how hard they are to find in Australia. The bottom line is that the little truck that was conceived, designed, and produced in the span of 24 months went on to have a life of two decades in production. That is rad and so isn’t this video.
82.5 HP that will go 80+ MPH. I suppose in the day that was pretty impressive. I like that it was simple. I drive a 2017 year model work vehicle and everything is controlled by a computer. You can’t even add extra speakers or fog lights without the dealer re-programming the computer. Sheesh!
Only in Australia would you hear an Australian speaking like an Englishman talking about an American vehicle. This commercial would have been screened in cinemas.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen an early Scout in Australia, it’s been a while since I’ve seen a Scout II as well.