The first IH Scout 80 was built in 1961. It’s success surprised the IH management because the sales were far above projections. They had expected to have one full working shift at the factory per day but almost immediately went to two shifts per day to meet demand. After 4 years of strong sales, IH decided to make a newer upgraded version with heavier axles, upgraded dash, and top. International Harvester called it the Scout 800. After another 4 years, they expected the Scout II to arrive but it was late in production for 1970 so, in 1970 they upgraded the Scout 800 to the 800A and kept making them. The 1971 model year was late and so, in 1971 International Harvester made the Scout 800B. In the last months of 1971 they finally made the Scout II.
