Scouting the Issue: Lessons Learned in the Garage
A 23-year-old Oscar found his ideal restoration project tucked away in an orchard. When he brought home the 1967 International Harvester Scout 800 in 2023, Oscar did not realize how much he would learn attempting his first-ever frame-off restoration. Over the next few years, his home garage became his classroom, and the Scout his teacher.
1967 International Harvester Scout 800
Photos by Carson Montague
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Built entirely by Oscar himself, the Scout represents more than 3,500 hours of hands-on work. From mechanical repairs and performance upgrades to complete metalwork, body refinishing, and paint, he approached each step of the restoration with patience and determination. The project also marked a major milestone in his journey: his first-ever frame-off restoration.
Taking on the Scout pushed Oscar far beyond basic wrenching. Along the way, he taught himself metal repair, TIG welding, fabrication, and design work—skills that not only shaped the build but also strengthened his confidence as a builder.
“Wet-sanding and polishing the side window frames, then assembling the glass into them without scratching the paint, was probably the most tedious and stressful part of the whole restoration,” said Oscar.
Power comes from a modest but capable 196-cubic-inch inline four-cylinder engine. While it may not be the largest motor, it is enhanced by a Holley Sniper single-barrel EFI kit. The motor's size and setup suit the Scout’s lightweight platform well. A three-speed manual transmission, dual-stick transfer case, Dana 44 rear axle, and Dana 27 front axle ensure the Scout remains equally comfortable on the road or off the trail.
“I did purchase a Magnaflow muffler from Lordco, which sure makes it sound fast!” he said as a smile lit up his face.
To finish the build, Oscar turned to PPG’s lineup of paints and products, bringing the Scout to life in Pewter Metallic—a factory GM colour. The result is a clean, timeless look that reflects both the vehicle’s heritage and the care poured into its restoration. Uptown Upholstery completed the look with all interior soft furnishings.
While the Scout 800 has reached the end of its restorative journey, Oscar’s path as a builder is just beginning.
“It would be nice if the original owner, Jim Wright, could see the Scout now. I think he would enjoy seeing what it has become and the quality of restoration it received.”
For Oscar, this build is more than a finished vehicle—it’s proof of how far curiosity, persistence, and countless hours in the garage can take you. With new challenges ahead, he’s continuing to build, learn, and refine his craft—one project at a time.
“I have a few projects that I’m really looking forward to starting. The first is an extremely rare 1979 International Scout Midas Baja SSII Canada Dry edition. After that comes a 1971 International Travelette, a crew-cab short-box 4x4 that will be getting a Cummins turbo-diesel.”
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