1977 IHC Scout II review from North America

My Scout II has had some carburetor adjustment problems that I will get a professional to look at. It bogs out when I try to accelerate at red lights.

When I got the Scout for $500, I promised not to sell it on eBay. I will never sell my Scout because it is a fun, strong, reliable vehicle that is a fair weather friend for me. I have replaced the transmission, carburetor, water pump, floors, rear bumper, exhaust system, and many other parts.

Fortunately, I have a spare Scout II because junk yards are a waste of time. Simply put, Scouts are disappearing. Most of the time when I ride in the Scout, people will ask me what kind of vehicle it is. Some of the old heads remember and the drop-top, bikini laden station wagon is definitely a head-turner.

It is disturbing to know that Scouts were seemingly marketed exclusively to whites here in the U.S. When I look back at all of the ads and posters, I do not see any minorities or people of color in the advertisements.

My Scout is mostly for cruising, although it has the power to rip down a house. I will continue to restore it and keep it in the garage to avoid the fate of all Scout II's - rotting out. In some ways, I do not wish the Scout to be of show quality because that will mark the day when I can no longer be myself in it. This is not a vehicle that needs to be pampered!