THE STORY
15 years ago, in a friend’s backyard in Los Angeles, Sean King started fixing and selling a fairly overlooked classic truck, the IH Scout. As his appreciation grew for these trucks, Sean began to post helpful repair tips on his social media. In no time he was being asked to build custom Scouts for other enthusiasts. Then in 2020, needing a bit more space, he moved into a small workshop in DTLA. There, he met LA based entrepreneur Tom Quinn, who was looking to restore his first classic. By early 2022, the two agreed to collaborate on a Scout 800, which is still the highest selling Scout 800 of all time on the premier auto auction site, Bring-a-trailer.com. From there, Tom and Sean formalized their partnership and established The Scout King. Remaining in DTLA, The Scout King recently moved into a much larger space with over a dozen projects in process at any given time.
THE 80/800
What has come to be a truly iconic off-road vehicle, the Scout 80 was first released in 1961 followed by the Scout 800 in 1965. At The Scout King, we take pride in the opportunity to revitalize this American classic. Whether it’s back to its factory glory or something with a more modern touch, we can make your old Scout new again!
Love Scouts, but don’t have one? We can help you find the perfect Scout for you.
THE SCOUT II
First unveiled in 1971, the “new” Scout II was a complete redesign meant to keep the brand competitive in the emerging SUV market, with features like power steering and brakes. The Scout II’s spacious redesign lends itself perfectly for modernization, like LS engines, power interiors, and infotainment systems.
Looking to reimagine your old Scout? Let us show you everything your Scout II could be!
THE LS "SWAP"
Love your old Scout, but not loving how it drives?
Our LS “swap” upgrades your Scout, no matter the model, with modern performance and reliability. At The Scout King, our “swaps” or drivability conversions begin with a high-performance GM Powertrain (GMPT) and can extend to every part of your Scout to deliver the look of a classic with the comfort, convenience, and reliability of a modern vehicle.