This Car Disappeared 45 Years Ago!
- Published on 21/10/2025 9:16
On October 21, 1980, the last International Harvester Scout rolled off the assembly line.
This very last Scout marked the end of nearly twenty years of a unique automotive adventure. This American 4×4, rugged and unadorned, was launched in 1960 by International Harvester to compete with the Jeep CJ. It quickly established itself as a pioneer of the modern SUV, combining utilitarian versatility with an adventurous spirit. Over 500,000 units were produced across generations, from the Scout 80 to the Scout II, before the company withdrew from the automotive market.
Symbol of rural and free America, the Scout embodied reliability and mechanical simplicity for two decades. Its unibody construction, rare for a 4×4 at the time, provided unmatched strength, while its gasoline and diesel engines offered a wide range of uses: from family vehicle to ranch companion. However, the energy crisis and International Harvester’s restructuring led to its discontinuation in 1980.
Forty-five years later, the myth is revived. In 2022, Volkswagen announced the creation of Scout Motors, an American subsidiary dedicated to reviving the name. The goal: to offer, starting in 2027, an all-electric SUV and pickup truck directly inspired by the original design. The prototypes “Traveler” and “Terra,” revealed in 2024, feature boxy lines, generous ground clearance, and an adventurous spirit reminiscent of 1970s models.
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Assembled in a new factory in South Carolina, these vehicles will be based on a platform dedicated to off-road performance, equipped with 800-volt technology and a separate “body-on-frame” chassis. Volkswagen is investing over 2 billion dollars in the project, symbolizing an industrial comeback on American soil. The Scout is reborn with a mission: to combine heritage and modernity. Moving from the ignition key to fast charging, it promises to reignite the flame of a glorious past— that of a 4×4 built for adventure—while integrating into the electric era.
READ ALSO: Volkswagen reboots the Scout brand in North America
This page is translated from the original post "Cette voiture a disparu il y a 45 ans !" in French.
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