Good morning! It’s Friday, it’s springtime, nobody gives a damn about rules on a day like this, so today, I just picked two cars I liked. No rhyme or reason, just stuff I’ve always thought was cool. I suppose we should finish up with yesterday’s gas-misers before we move on, though:
Ooh, that Smarts. Japanese technology laying the smack down on the little European go-kart. As it happens, I agree; I’ve always liked the first-generation Insight, and I like its successor the CR-Z even better.
But clearly, judging by my typical taste in cars, I’m not meant to drive little fuel-sipping runabouts. Because when I let my mind go where it wants, where do I end up? V8 town. Today we have a big slab-sided sedan and a rough-and-tumble 4×4 pickup, both built deep into last century, both with big pushrod V8s that suck down fuel like it’s going out of style. (Which, I suppose, it is.) These two, to me, would make an epic two-car garage, but if you had to settle for one, which would it be? Let’s take a look.
1966 Plymouth Fury II – $7,000
Engine/drivetrain: 318 cubic inch overhead valve V8, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Odometer reading: 168,000 miles
Runs/drives? “A true daily driver,” the ad says
You may have noticed that I’m a bit of a Mopar fan. It runs in the family: my dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa all loved their Chryslers. They had their favorites, and I have mine, and the 1966 Plymouth Fury is one of them. Just look at this majestic slab-sided beast: the stacked headlights, the clean crisp angles, the dog-dish hubcaps, that long low profile. I just love it.
The Fury was available with a wide variety of engines beneath that long flat hood, from the 225 cubic inch Slant Six all the way up to a 440 cubic inch big block. This one is powered by the smallest V8 offered, a 318, backed by a Torqueflite automatic. It’s no muscle car, but it will get the job done.
The seller claims this was a daily driver and family hauler throughout the winter, driving all over the state. Mechanically, it’s said to be in great shape, and cosmetically it isn’t too bad either. There’s no rust, only one small wrinkle in the left front corner, and some wear and tear on the interior, but nothing you couldn’t live with. And the wool blanket on the seat looks like it belongs there anyway.
I can’t see this as a family vehicle in this day and age, with essentially no safety features, but kudos to the seller for using it as one for a time. I can, however, see it pulling our old Aristocrat Land Commander trailer. It’s even the right year. I’d rather have a two-door hardtop, of course, but I’m sure that wouldn’t be as affordable as this.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention – this car has a name. It’s Frank.
1976 International Harvester Scout Pickup – $7,500
Engine/drivetrain: 304 or 345 cubic inch overhead valve V8, three- or four-speed manual, part-time 4WD
Location: Monterey, CA
Odometer reading: unknown
Runs/drives? Nope, has been sitting for years
And who doesn’t love a Scout? The legendary four-wheel-drive utility vehicle, which may be coming back at least in name, managed to out-cool Jeeps, Broncos, and Blazers, despite being descended from farm equipment. There’s just something about International Harvester’s signature sport-utility that oozes cool. And this one, the long-wheelbase pickup model, is set up just about perfectly: chunky tires, a brush guard, and a big rollbar with lights on top. It’s like a Stomper toy come to life.
Unfortunately, this Scout isn’t currently roadworthy. It has been sitting for many years, and the seller (a dealership, I believe) has no idea of its mechanical condition. It’s all there, including the big International V8, a manual gearbox, a low-range transfer case, and solid axles on leaf springs at both ends. It’s no luxury ride, but then, it isn’t meant to be.
Maybe the rough ride is the reason for the non-original seats, which look like they came out of a Chrysler Cordoba or something. The steering wheel and tilt column are also not original, and might be Jeep or Chrysler parts. Also, this truck was originally yellow. Clearly, it has some stories to tell.
International’s V8, which was available in the Scout in either 304 or 345 cubic inch displacements, has a reputation for durability, but also thirst. Gas mileage on this truck probably barely breaks into the double digits. But it’s a lazy, low-revving stump-puller of an engine that probably won’t be hard to bring back to life. International also sold the Scout with a four-cylinder engine that’s basically just half of this V8; ironically, its fuel economy isn’t a hell of a lot better.
’70s SUVs are hot right now, and while it’s the Ford Bronco and Chevy Blazer that have really seen big price increases, Scouts aren’t far behind. This rough pickup wouldn’t have carried a $7500 price tag even a few years ago, but that’s where we are now. I just hope the prices don’t get so crazy that these vehicles can’t be used as intended; if you can’t drive a 4×4 for fear of scratching it, what’s the point?
So that’s it for another week. Let me know your thoughts on these two long-time favorites of mine, and be sure to vote for your choice. We’ll be back bext week with more clunkers. Thanks for reading!
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Mark, please convince the Autopian staff to spend some time at this Monterey dealership when they come out for this year’s Car Week. It’s endlessly amusing as the place where “Other People’s Project Cars Go To Die.” David Tracy would be in heaven!
Even better, this dealer’s son has a lot a short distance away that makes this one look like the Pebble Beach Concours. It once had 5 Porsche 914s next to each other, the sum of which would not have contained enough parts to create a single complete 914. Remember this year’s record California rains? Guess whether most of the convertibles outside had their tops up or down during the season.
I’m sorry, but there should not be a world in which that Fury is worth that much money in that condition. I had a ’66 Sport Fury, loved it, but I was never gonna make it right. I found the right buyer who was and they got it back on the road.
As much I like Scouts, I will take the running Fury for 500 less.
I just brought a Jeep back that had been sitting since 1996-ish (based on the change in the ashtray)… Fury all the way! Cars that sit are hard to bring back to life, and cost double whatever you are thinking.
So, I’m about 99% sure that I saw Frank being driven by the wife mentioned in the craigslist ad. She was driving down SW Murray right in front of Nike HQ. I was so happy to see that car still on the road, still being used as a car. I hope Frank finds himself a good home. He’s definitely got my vote.
I saw a video of a Scout restoration that showed a design “feature” that allowed about a gallon of leaves, dirt, debris and small wildlife to collect in a pocket where the front fenders meet the firewall. So nope.
Good point!
it is true, though to be fair many vehicles have the same or similar issue, that is why classic cars that sit outside a lot usually have to have the cowl covered.
Man… I really do like both of these. Probably grab the Scout, even though I wish it was just one model year older for emissions reasons/resale value reasons for certain states. Scout values are only probably going to go up (or continue going up?) now that VW is brining the brand (well model name, really) back.
There are a fair amount of IH Scouts sitting in fields where I live, not tons, but probably more than you’d expect. I drive by a farm property every day to work that has 5-6 of them parked next to each other in various states of patina that I daydream I could snatch up and restomod.
Have you stopped to ask? A lot of the car hoarders who “are going to get to it, someday” are selling their cars to fund retirement, or the cars have become the property of their children.
I haven’t… but I’ve been tempted. I have a strong suspicion that it’s the latter part of your statement and it’s now just left to the surviving members of a family. This seems to happen a lot. The good news is that cars sitting in fields here don’t suffer as badly from rust due to the dry climate (even though it does snow), but the dry climate and (more intense) sun will decimate soft parts/interiors faster.
I just don’t get “Frank” from that Fury, it looks like a Frankie to me.
I think Frank has a garage mate: a 1965 Rambler Ambassador named “Dissemble.”
Those old Chrysler tufted-button seats are glorious.
Great match-up today, Mark! I legitimately had to think on it for a hot minute. Very evenly-split in desirability for this guy.
“Gas mileage on this truck probably barely breaks into the double digits.”
True. The 345 in my ’70 pickup delivers about 11 to 12 mpg but, unlike the Scout, at least I don’t have to worry about skyrocketing resale values…
My uncle had this Fury in black, was called Fred it brings back memories. I remember reading a book once set in the 60s with a cop driving a Fury, said he would drive a car called Fury until they came up with a better named one, like Murder
Come on Frank, even tho you’re probably ~ $1000 overpriced, you can live out your retirement years hanging out in my garage 🙂
The first car I ever rode in was my father’s brand-new white Fury. Not really sure how that worked, my mother gives birth and my father gets a car… That probably explains why she got all the new cars after that and he got her old one… Anyway, I’ve got to go with the Fury.
Since I already have an XJ in similar condition to the Fury I’m voting for it. Bonus points for it looking pretty turn key. Nice enough to enjoy but not a garage queen, my favorite kinds of cars. The Scout could be cool as project but looks to need more than I could handle at the moment.
The scout has rich corinthian leather, but I love that Fury.
Hence the premium price they are asking! 😉
(corinthian leather ain’t cheap ya know!) 😉
That Scout is barely worth half what they’re asking, and that’s not just the angst over used car prices talking
I agree 100%
10 years ago maybe, now those things are commanding stupid money.
That thing clearly has extensive rot. Zoom in on the A-Pillar and look at those fenders. The body isn’t worth anything except maybe the tailgate and the grill. It’s basically just the frame, wheels, and maybe the engine. That’s not worth $7,500. I could go cobble together those parts for like $3k
the floors are better than they should be, the pillars and bed are just weld in patch panels. I agree, it should not be worth that price, but that is what they are commanding these days. if you can get a 70’s scout 2 in better shape for less money, then get it while the getting is good. In case you did not realize by my responses< i have a Scout 2 as well. It runs, I had to replace all of the floors and my bed is also swiss cheesed, but I could not touch it on the market for anywhere near what I paid for it a decade ago, not even including the 3-4 K I have put into it since.
https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1976/international_harvester/scout/101799588
I’ve had my own experience with a rusty “classic”, and I wouldn’t touch this thing with a ten foot pole. God speed to whoever does
I was drooling at the thought of the Scout (I’ve always wanted one) But this one is a little too far gone for me.
So, I voted for the Fury which I must say is very good condition with all of that glorious chrome and the legendary 318!
That got me, I’m already emotionally attached to Furious Frank.
Mopar or No Car. Gotta be the Fury, especially on those wheels.
Yes, indeed. I like the steelies+poverty_caps look even better than the Rallye wheels.
In my youth, all the Mopar cop-cars rocked those steelies and the ventilated dog dishes
It’s a bit high, but I’ve gotta go with that Fury. It’s not my Mopar of choice from that era, but I could see myself driving it. Slowly cruising with that 318, but still. The Scout is too pricey for what it is.
Do you really have to ask??? Of course it is the Scout. The long wheel base pickup is called the Terra. That steering wheel and tilt column are original to the vehicle or are at least Scout parts. Note it is a Saginaw column and uses the OE lock cylinder uses the same keyway as used in the columns they also made for Jeep, so the presence of a Jeep branded key doesn’t mean that it is a Jeep column. One of my Scouts came with a Jeep branded key, presumably because that is what the locksmith had in stock. They do look like a GM key but the warding is different.
Regarding the engine choices, the king of MPG was actually the 304 and not the 196, but only when equipped with the 2.73 axle ratios. The poor little 196 just couldn’t move the truck with that gearing so it actually got worse MPG.
I’m asking because of your user name, How much is this Scout really worth in it’s current condtion?
Maybe $2500
actually the MPG king was the Nissan Diesel
Now this is a tough one, I really want them both. My heart says the Scout, but it’s not running. International Parts don’t exactly grow on trees. And let’s be honest, it’s probably all rust and bondo under that tractor paint.
Fury it is!
Well a lot of them do as they were just purchased from GM, in fact GM divisions made more parts used on this vehicle than IH did.
I love Scouts but I’m deathly afraid of what the new owner will find when they start digging in. You just know that thing is composed of not much more than Bondo and rust.
The price is too high on the Fury but it can be enjoyed as-is or as the start of a fun project, whether restoration or restomod. I’m also a fan of Mopar from that era. My best friend had a rusted ’65 Dodge Coronet with a 4-bbl 383 as his winter beater that we called the Beast. That car turned out to be nearly as much fun as his Triumph Spitfire; certainly the Beast started up and ran every time, something we could not say for the Spitfire.
If anybody could make a vehicle that could rust in the automotive near-paradise of Monterey County, it would have been International, whose skills at making vehicles that rusted were only rivaled by Honda in the 1970s. For me, it’s the Fury all day long and into next week.
I have a warm spot for these rolling aircraft carriers, having had an early 70s Fury, followed by a ’67 Dodge Monaco for first cars in my teenage through college years. About the only change I’d make to that ’66 Fury would be switching to front disc brakes (the drums on these big Mopars only made mere suggestions of stopping, at best).
I blame the Beach commercials suggesting driving in salt water at sunset is a good thing for an offroad vehicle slinging the stuff up into every nook and cranny.
I had all 4 of the pictured Stompers when I was a kid. They were not built for durability…
Also, I have a good home for Frank.
I had Stompers as well. Did you know that you can fit a 9V battery in place of the AA?
Be prepared to chase the little vehicle across the room. 🙂