So I have ADHD: The vanishing Scout II

So I saw a squirrel in the backyard on the way to rake leaves. I started looking at the squirrel and noticed mushrooms growing of old limbs decaying in my backyard. It got me thinking. How many Scout IIs rotted in the proverbial backyard? I think there were some 200,000 Scout IIs produced. They were produced from 1971 – 1980. I don’t know if they evenly distributed the numbers, but to do the math. I will say that in each of the 9 years, there were 22,000 produced. My 1972 Scout II was one of 22K. The old Google machine said the Nissan Silvia S13 produced only 500 vehicles. And guess what….you can believe EVERYTHING on Google. Right??

Estimating the exact number of International Harvester Scout II trucks still on the road is challenging due to the lack of comprehensive, up-to-date data on vehicle registrations for discontinued models. The Scout II was produced from 1971 to 1980, and many have succumbed to rust, wear, and tear over the decades, as noted in various sources. However, some insights can be drawn from historical production numbers, survival rates of classic vehicles, and anecdotal evidence from enthusiast communities.

My Thoughs:

1. Production Numbers: International Harvester produced approximately 532,674 Scout vehicles (across all models, including Scout 80, Scout 800, and Scout II) during its production run from 1961 to 1980. The Scout II was a significant portion of this total, spanning nearly a decade of production. However, exact Scout II production figures are more challenging to isolate but are estimated to be hundreds of thousands.
2. Survival Rate: Classic vehicles like the Scout II often have low survival rates due to factors such as rust (a significant issue for Scouts, as mentioned in sources), lack of maintenance, and the discontinuation of parts and support. For many classic vehicles from the 1970s, survival rates are estimated to be 5-10% of original production, though this varies widely depending on the model and region.
3. Enthusiast Community: The Scout II has a dedicated enthusiast base, which has helped preserve some vehicles through restoration and maintenance. Websites like eBay and enthusiast forums (e.g., Reddit) show active listings and discussions about Scout II vehicles, indicating a niche but passionate market.
4. Rust and Scarcity: Sources note that rust has significantly reduced the number of surviving Scouts, particularly in regions with harsh winters. This has made well-preserved or restored Scout IIs relatively rare and valuable.

Rough Estimate:

Assuming a conservative survival rate of 5% for the Scout II (based on general trends for 1970s vehicles and the specific challenges Scouts faced with rust), and estimating that 200,000 Scout IIs were produced (a rough figure based on total Scout production and the Scout II’s share), the number of Scout IIs still on the road today could be around 10,000. This is a speculative figure, as actual numbers could be lower due to the high rate of attrition or higher if restoration efforts have been more successful than average.

If I did my math correctly. That means there are possibly only 2,111 1972 Scout IIs left in the wild… It could be more…. could be less.

Conclusion:

While precise data is unavailable, a rough estimate suggests that approximately 10,000 Scout II trucks may still be on the road or in drivable condition today. However, this number could vary significantly based on regional factors, restoration efforts, and the definition of “on the road.” Enthusiast communities and classic car markets provide the best indicators of surviving vehicles.

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