Hot Rod Scout 80 “Unbound”

Posted by Hechtspeed on Aug 16, 2009 in Muscle & Style, Vintage Rides | 11 comments

She started out as a yellow, fairly stock, 1962 International Scout 80 2WD.  She was powered by the original slant 4-cylinder, producing a shattering 83 horsepower while sitting on the original frame and suspension which included leaf springs all around.  Seating was less than luxurious, sporting the stock bench seat with broken springs.

By the time “Unbound” hit the streets, not a square inch was left untouched by the builder, Marty Schreiber of n2 Hot Rods (n2HotRods.com), and designer/owner, Chris Adams (ten.xocnull@NCTYS).

The stock chassis and suspension were replaced with a custom full Art Morrison chassis with independent front suspension and a 4-bar rear end with panhard bar.  The ride was smoothed out with adjustable coil-over springs on all four corners, and stopping power was updated with a host of Wilwood components including dual master cylinders, 13” 6-piston discs in the front and 12” 4-piston discs in the rear.

The new power plant was put together by Turn Key Engine Supply and came in the form of a LS6 Corvette engine producing just over 400 ft. lbs. of torque.  The LS6 got mated up to a 4L60E transmission, controlled by a Compushift controller, and Twist Machine Paddle Shifters.  Power runs back through a 9” Ford with 3.50 gears, posi, and S/S Street axles, all from Strange Engineering. Power is laid to the street by 295/45R20 (11.6” inch pad width) rear tires.

The first, and most substantial, body modification was the top, which was chopped 4”, which also allowed the windshield to be laid back for a touch of aerodynamics.  The other major external change happened around back.  The tailgate lost the hinges and the new dual exhaust, routing through Corsa mufflers and Jet-Hot coated pipes, exit through the body.

The interior design intent was to bring it up to date with modern conveniences, while retaining a simple look.  The traditional flat dashboard was retained, but was pulled away 1” to allow for the installation of air conditioning, which was not available on Scout 80s.  A Pioneer head unit and speakers, as well as a Rockford Punch amp bring sound to the road.  The original fuel tank and utility box areas were sealed up and converted into base enclosures for the two 10” Pioneer subs behind the seats.  Door and window handles stayed true to original form with replacement hardware.  The bench seat was replaced with a pair of seats from a 2005 Infinity G35, bringing the convenience of powered seats, as well as the luxury of heat for cruising around on the cold mornings with the top off.  Before the Porsche Sliver carpeting went down, the entire interior, doors included, received a layer of Dynamat to dampen the road noise.

For those out there wondering about the name “Unbound”, it came from a spin on the nickname that International Harvesters received of being a “Binder”, which comes from International Harvester’s agricultural implement background. Basically it is a reference to BINDING twine used to bind grain into manageable bundles.

“Unbound” was designed in loving memory of my little brother, Mike.

Chris Adams (owner/designer)

Take a look at Chris Adams’ Truck website here: http://members.cox.net/sytcn/

Wow, now that’s a hot rod truck.  I’ll never look at a Scout the same way again?  What about you?  Tell us what you think about this truckrod!