Backyard Find
No barns in Australia, we call them sheds. I’ve always had a soft spot for classic American iron. Growing up in the 80s / 90s, before smartphones and widespread internet access, the only way to glimpse a vehicle like an International Scout 80 was on television or in rare magazines. Never on the road. It was a dream, a distant one.
Back then, finding a classic car was a treasure hunt. I’d occasionally look through local classifieds, hoping to stumble upon a photo of an old Scout, anything even one that was begging for restoration.
Then, in 1998, fate or luck, a local ad mentioned a 1960s Scout 80 for sale as a project. No photo, just a brief description. Intrigued, I jumped in my Commodore (so Australian, I know) and headed to the seller’s house.
And there it was: a 1960s International Scout 80 and it was rough. Damaged doors, a missing fender, a cracked windshield frame, no top, and — worst of all — no engine. Yet, I still wanted it. Maybe I was crazy to take on such a big project, where would I get parts.
History
1960s
RAAF Life
Production of the International Scout 80 started in 1960, five years before Ford began production of the Bronco. IH Scouts were imported into Australia shortly after release around 1962, when RHD models were built, with the Australian military acquired small numbers.
Life for this Scout started with the military in Australia on an RAAF Base, painted in yellow and black checkers and restricted to the airbase and its surroundings.
1980
Scout Production Ends
The original Scout 80 then 800/800B series stopped production in March 1971. To make way for the all-new Scout II in April 1971.
International Harvester stopped all Scout production worldwide on Oct 21, 1980, meaning the RAAF would have retired and sold off its fleet sometime after this date, as the vehicles reached the end of service life.
1985
Farm Life
Little is know of the Scout's farm life and when it exactly left the RAAF Base for its new life in Myrtleford, Victoria. What is known is that it had a tougher life and at some point, was upgraded to a V8 and registered for road use.
This photo is what I imagined it would look like, with the help of Photoshop and some AI tools. I'll always disclose use of AI.
1995
Lost
Farm life was hard, with its respray fading, engine gone, doors beaten, front fender missing, no windshield and no top at all. Close to scrap, but saved by a guy from Melbourne, the Scout’s third owner and a project they would never start.
Taking up space, weathered and quiet, waiting for someone who could see more than rust and missing parts.
1998
Backyard Find
I found it: International Scout 80 (project). No engine. Rolling chassis, transmission and transfer case. It didn’t sound like much in the Trading Post ad but I had to see it.
Unmistakably a Scout and a big project. Not practical. Not sensible. But felt right. I brought it home, hoping to bring it back to life with a little help from Pa (a former mechanic) and Dad.
This is where the story truly begins.
1999
Stripped
The rebuild began in the family shed, three generations leaning over the same tools. Pa brought the know-how, Dad steady hands, I brought enthusiasm.
Stripped, keeping what we could and finding parts. Slow but time well spent, the kind you truly appreciate later.
Then Pa passed, the project paused. I headed overseas for work and myself.
2004
Restoration
Back from overseas. Spare time became simple: open the shed and keep chipping away. Limited budget, but no rush, just persistence.
I found a rebuilt 350 Chev to pair with the transmission and transfer case. 35s went on being young. Front drums became discs for survival and still no power steering.
Bit by bit, it came back to life. The Scout was moving again, and so was the story.
2006
Making Memories
Sharing the Scout, one adventure at a time.
I’d been driving the Scout since 2004, making memories with friends along the way. Every drive was a handful... no power steering, wheel chirps under load, and plenty of surprises with all the extra power.
In 2006, I shared a few photos on Flickr, like this one. To my surprise, it and others started appearing on blogs, online magazines, and even sites like Motor1.com CoolMaterial.com used the photo. Even now, just recently a repost years later - proof that some machines leave a lasting mark.
2012
Pressing Pause
Safe for a family? No way. Worth keeping? Absolutely!
As I was about to start a family, the Scout needed more than quick fixes, likely a new engine and a safety refresh. Sell it, no way. So I stored it underground in a dry safe place. Out of sight, never forgotten.
I’d come back for it when the time was right
2017
Looking Forward
Before pulling the Scout out of storage, I’d already been sketching ideas, maybe an LS swap, or even a Cummins R2.8 crate motor. But around then, EV conversions sparked my interest.
Keeping the Scout’s classic soul while giving it a new, electric heart stuck with me. It wasn’t just about more power; it was about building something that could last another lifetime without losing what made it special.
2018
Back to the Future
Rescuing the Scout from its underground hideout.
After years in storage, I decided it was finally time to bring the Scout back into the light. Like Doc Brown pulling the DeLorean from its cave, I collected it from its underground hiding place, ready to breathe life into it once more.
The engine might need work, the body a little TLC, but the spirit was as strong as ever. The next chapter of the Scout’s story was about to begin.
2019
Back on the Road
After bringing the Scout home, I tackled some basic repairs, including a fuel line that burst, setting the air filter on fire. Luckily I had an extinguisher that saved the day before it got ugly.
I got Club Rego to get some driving in before planning a proper rebuild with professional help. Then 2020 hit, and the project stalled, forcing me to rethink the build and find the right partner for the EV conversion.
2020
False Start
Through a friend at Smart Restorations, we connected with the perfect team for an LS or Cummins swap, but an EV conversion was entirely new territory. After lots of investigation, it became clear we needed a specialist team to do it right.
At the time, Australia had no seasoned EV classic builders, though I was following a few promising startups and standout projects here and overseas. Then pandemic stopped everything, and by 2022, family travel would keep the Scout on hold even longer.
2024
Moving Day
One of Australia’s EV conversion startups had become the country’s leading specialist, honouring timeless classics while integrating all the modern upgrades we expect. More than just an electric swap, each vehicle is re-engineered to improve safety, handling, comfort, usability, and performance.
After some great discussions with them, the Scout is officially in their queue. Moving day has arrived, time for the next chapter of its journey.
2025
Work in Progress
Updates Coming...
Military Life
Talk about history
The Scout had a fascinating history. This Scout began life as an Australian military vehicle owned and operated by the RAAF and painted black & yellow checkers. Upon finishing its service, it ended up in civilian hands and then spent time on a farm, living a hard life in the end. Picked up as a project, the new owner had it in a suburban backyard, where I found it. A project too much for them. I however was up for the challenge, even with my limited budget.
RAAF Paint
Australian marketing offered the Scout 80 in Broome Blue, Goulburn Green, Granite Grey, Nullarbor Beige, Harvester Red and Harvester Green.
However some of the RAAF Scouts were painted a dark blue or in black-and-yellow checkers, and it looks like this Scout was once dressed in checkers. You could see hints of the pattern where the front fender was missing, and on the underside of the truck, a small but striking piece of its past. Australian marketing offered the Scout 80 in Broome Blue, Goulburn Green, Granite Grey, Nullarbor Beige, Harvester Red and Harvester Green.
RAAF Work
Pulling aircraft and munitions around the airbase was all in a days work for the Scout in Australia. Along with the different paint work they also had soft cabs.
Good People. Great Work.
Project Partners
This project is built with the help of skilled craftspeople, fabricators, engineers, designers, and storytellers who care about doing things properly. The kind of people who understand that restoring a machine isn’t just about parts — it’s about history, memory, and making something worth passing down.
Some partners are already onboard.
Some are still to come.
If you or your business feels aligned with the spirit of this build, whether through EV technology, fabrication, design, heritage automotive, or simply wanting to support or sponsor something meaningful ... the garage door is open.