1979 International Harvester Scout Prototype

This is the second of two prototype Scouts built by International Harvester’s Engineering Department in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during an experimental program that began in 1977. The Scout had long been in production as a sport utility vehicle when this proposed new model was developed. The Scout prototypes had been successfully tested to many government safety standards and IH durability requirements, and had been well received by the press and potential customers to whom it had been shown. Unfortunately, International Harvester decided in 1980 to concentrate on medium and heavy trucks and eliminated the Scout from production in October of that year, which ended development of this advanced vehicle.

The chassis of the prototype is a standard, 100-inch wheelbase. The unique body is made of a composite material that combines long-strand glass fibers, placed maximum strength, and epoxy resin in a lightweight and very durable structure.